This is another one of those "I can't believe how incompetent USPS can be" kinda deals. But the reason I'm sharing it is to reveal a loophole in the system. So read on.
A month ago, I sold a pack of reballs to a reputable guy here on AO. When I mailed the package, I printed off a shipping label through PayPal, complete with tracking and insurance. I put the label on the package and placed the package in my mailbox for pick-up.
The package was picked up... but this week the buyer contacted me, wondering why the package hadn't arrived yet. I immediately jumped on USPS's tracking website and entered the number I got from PayPal, but it just said:
Basically, as far as USPS is concerned, they never delivered, received, or even picked up my package.
So I went to the post office today to try and get some clarification. (Maybe just the website wasn't working, and they'd be able to find the package with their own computer systems.) No such luck. So, since I had insurance, I asked if I could fill out a "Lost Mail" form, but I was told I had to wait until 30 days passed... so, come back in a week.
Here's the kicker, though. The polite attendent informed me that she's seen this happen before, and she's unfortunately never seen the customer win. The problem is that I shipped the package from home instead of bringing it to the actual post office building. What probably happened is that the courier picked up the package, but then he failed to scan it for tracking once he returned to the distribution center. Therefore, there is no way to track the package. When I fill out the paperwork, the powers that be will look at the information, and they will assume that I'm trying to commit mail fraud. (Sure... on an item insured for $15.) They will think that I filled out all the information online and then put NOTHING in my mailbox, hoping to scam the system out of $15. So even though their employee screwed up, they're going to assume I'm dishonest.
So... yeah. I had tracking AND insurance, but I'm out of luck.
I'm not looking for sympathy... and I definitely don't want this to turn into a "what shipping system is best" thread. I'm just putting this out here as a warning because I know that so many people here use PayPal's automated shipping system. Printing off labels at home may be convenient, but if something goes wrong... you'll probably end up like me. You can still print off labels at home, but don't just put the package in your mailbox. Bring it to your post office and hand it to the attendant yourself.
A month ago, I sold a pack of reballs to a reputable guy here on AO. When I mailed the package, I printed off a shipping label through PayPal, complete with tracking and insurance. I put the label on the package and placed the package in my mailbox for pick-up.
The package was picked up... but this week the buyer contacted me, wondering why the package hadn't arrived yet. I immediately jumped on USPS's tracking website and entered the number I got from PayPal, but it just said:
The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on December 15, 2007 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. No further information is available for this item.
So I went to the post office today to try and get some clarification. (Maybe just the website wasn't working, and they'd be able to find the package with their own computer systems.) No such luck. So, since I had insurance, I asked if I could fill out a "Lost Mail" form, but I was told I had to wait until 30 days passed... so, come back in a week.
Here's the kicker, though. The polite attendent informed me that she's seen this happen before, and she's unfortunately never seen the customer win. The problem is that I shipped the package from home instead of bringing it to the actual post office building. What probably happened is that the courier picked up the package, but then he failed to scan it for tracking once he returned to the distribution center. Therefore, there is no way to track the package. When I fill out the paperwork, the powers that be will look at the information, and they will assume that I'm trying to commit mail fraud. (Sure... on an item insured for $15.) They will think that I filled out all the information online and then put NOTHING in my mailbox, hoping to scam the system out of $15. So even though their employee screwed up, they're going to assume I'm dishonest.
So... yeah. I had tracking AND insurance, but I'm out of luck.
I'm not looking for sympathy... and I definitely don't want this to turn into a "what shipping system is best" thread. I'm just putting this out here as a warning because I know that so many people here use PayPal's automated shipping system. Printing off labels at home may be convenient, but if something goes wrong... you'll probably end up like me. You can still print off labels at home, but don't just put the package in your mailbox. Bring it to your post office and hand it to the attendant yourself.
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