I sold some coins on ebay and shipped them using paypal shipping for the US postal service, Flat rate, Priority mail and insured. Apparently when the box arrived it had a big hole that had been taped over by the PO with a notation in marker “found without contents at ****” . The individual who purchased the coins is looking into filing a claim with the local post master and I have forward the receipts for the postage to him. Since this is a new experience to me I have a few questions. Who should file the claim, the purchaser or me? If I am obligated to file the claim should I refund the money to the purchaser before the post office process the claim? Normally how long does it take to received reimbursement from the post office for the insured amount? Any other advice?
IMO, you should. Since the bidder used PayPal AND the item didn't arrive, the buyer can file a NPS with eBay/PayPal AND will win. Insurance, D/C, etc. are really for your protection, not the buyer's. If there's enough value, get the buyer to send you the package at your expense. If it's really inexpensive, you might just refund the buyer's money and forget the whole thing. Claiming insurance from the USPS is a very annoying process. Depends on the buyer. Some will get antzy and cause you grief. Sort of have to play it by ear. I only had one lost package ($80) and the buyer very patiently waited for the whole USPS claim process to complete. I don't know what "normal" is, but mine took a month, and that was a lost package. You situation is slightly different (contents lost). Whatever you do, keep the buyer apprised of what's happening. Even if it is only, "Checked with the USPS. Still in process." Others here may add to or differ from my advice. Wait for a few more opinions.
The way the system works, you have to file the claim. The check will be sent to the receiving party though, not to you. I went through 1 experience similar to this, only I as the buyer never got the package. After 2 weeks I notified the seller, they filed a claim, I had to fill out papers as well stating that I had never received the package. The whole process took 3 months. I got the check issued by the Post Office. The very next day - the package arrived at my house. And yes, I sent the check back to the Post Office.
same thing recently happened to me. Up to 30 days for a refund from USPS. You must fill out the PS form 1000 and take it to the post office. http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=42929 http://www.usps.com/insuranceclaims/welcome.htm
That is exactly how mine worked - except I did not receive the coins the day after the check. I would have rather have had the coins. I think depending on the amount on if it can be processed locally or it has to go somewhere else -- mine was chicago. It was my first purchase from a online dealer - made me worry, but since then every purchase has worked just fine.
What the heck is going on here? I just received an email from a buyer that has not gotten a package I sent out 3 weeks ago....paypal online tracking leaves alot to be desired, it just says the shipping info received, nothing more. I now use registered for ALL packages with a value of $1000 or more, and fully insure w/signature confirmation on all others.
A couple weeks ago, I purchased a $5 gold commemorative and I never received it. The seller gave me a full refund. The tracking page said that they had been notified by the seller to receive the package. They swear they sent it out. They had to file a claim.
Yep I'm going to use paypal shipping only on small $$ packages, say $50 and under. I will now go to the PO and get the " official" delivery confirmation from now on. Hassle, but a part of doing biz I guess.
Go to your post office and ask them to track it for you. They have access to more info then you. If I am reading you right, "the shipping info received" only means that they have received the package, but have not delivered it.
Here's a few things to remember when you send an item Insured. The item goes thru the mail stream just like it any other type of mail. The exceptions are Register Mail and Express Mail. The smaller the package the easier it is to get lost in empty equipment or any where along the mail stream. Also small packages or bubble wrapped envelops are easy to conceal in a apron or under clothing. Then you have to remember that the person handling the Insured item may not be a Postal Employee. There are contract drivers, airline baggage handlers, and folks at the Contract Stations like Pack and Ship. So if you do send a small package stamped Insured on it you are taking a chance. Just my opinion. Lou
Not necessarily....all they have received is the shipping info, the package then has to be dropped off at the post office by the shipper. Much the same with the UPS system...you upload the shipping info and get a tracking number but you have to actually drop the package off at a delivery center before the package is actually scanned into the system. BTW, don't use UPS to ship coins. It's not in their tariff and is a prohibited item to ship.
