Need help settling an issue.

[AirAssault]

It sucks for the consumer in this situation but you did the work, sent the product, it is out of your hands. The guy needs to eat it, you owe him nothing. Now, if I was on the other end I would be pissed but if you can verify it was "sent" then game over. Sorry to the guy who may be reading this, Luke owes you nadda, nill, zilch, goose egg, zero!!

Now that being said, doing the mill work for parts he provides would be a cool thing to do. If he is lying to you he will get his, karma is funny like that.

[zipity_Bop]

I'm saying, if i was the guy on the other end I wouldn't automatically expect reimbursement but it would be appreciated. That being said maybe you can work a deal out with him and do a half off or something...... that way he's not totally at a lost and you get some compensation for the extra work.... and besides after he sees this thread he's going to jump all over the half off thinking it's better than nothing.

[luke]

Thanks for all the in put guys. I'm still undecided how I'm going to handle it.

[AirAssault]

Thanks for all the in put guys. I'm still undecided how I'm going to handle it.

Time is money, you owe him nothing. Sorry guy, it happens.

[RogueFactor]

The USPS can really suck, but moreso you have to ask yourself how much this customers business is worth to you? And/or any business they may end up sending your way?

My opinion...shipping a package is the shippers responsbility. Once its receieved, is the recipients responsibility. Now this assumes a 'clean' receipt, meaning they actually received it. Ive had the USPS show a package as delivered, when it really wasnt. It wasnt the standard carrier that day, and I had to call the Post Office and track it all down. What a pain in the butt.

To keep this sort of thing from happening to my customers, packages either need to be signed for or insured, so that both of us are covered should the USPS screw up. I always suggest every business do this to cover themselves. If your in business to make money(and most are), you have to cover yourself. Occasionally, even that doesnt guarantee 100% success...

Recently, I had a package show up to the customer late, and empty. Note on the box from the USPS stating it was empty. Signature required, but not insured. Wasnt my fault, wasnt the customers either. But I covered the cost of replacing the parts.

In your case, he isnt even asking for you to cover the cost of the replacement parts, only your labor. Which sounds completely fair.

At the end of the day, the customer didnt do anything wrong. But is willing to accept some of the responsibility...thats a VERY understanding customer. I dont run into many like that anymore.

My $.02.

[RogueFactor]

Time is money, you owe him nothing. Sorry guy, it happens.

Noted. If you purchase an item from me and it doesnt show up, you wont expect reimbursement of your parts. Good to know.

[Muzikman]

I had a similar problem with a $500+ order from POR-15 (the rust proof paint company). They shipped the package via UPS. UPS showed it was delivered. I never got it. They sent me new product, no questions asked and said they would take it up with UPS. Now that is a standup company and I have since made a number of similarly priced orders from them. If they would have told me to take a hike, that it wasn't their problem or that I would have to fight with UPS to find the package or get my money back, I probably wouldn't be using their product right now.

[Tunaman]

Packages that are of little valve...(50.00 or less) I usually just ship with Delivery confirmation. Packages of High Value i will be sure to ask the customer if insurance is wanted and how much. If a guy sends me his Xmag, he would have to pay around 12-15.00 insurance Plus shipping costs...which starts to run into alot of money(USPS). I will ship most customer markers back with a Signature Confirmation, and they always get there that way. I am very lucky to have never lost a package yet...
We also use Stamps.com for shipping labels and their insurance is a little cheaper, and will settle a claim in 7 days. Sorry to hear you lost a package, but if you have a delivery confirmation(which you pay extra for) then it is all on the Post Office to find out where that package is. The buyer takes the risk if he declines insurance.

[punkncat]

As has been said and is clear, this situation is not your responsibility to cover in ANY shape or form. However, if you are looking to build a stronger relationship with a customer who (may/may not) bring you much return buisiness(?) or tell buddies what a stand up guy you are for fixing a problem you didn't cause....you might could throw him a discount on future work, etc.
Be careful of course as you will lead into the "well you did it for him" trap. Cause saying you won't and being faced with the situation again are two different things.

GL

[luke]

This is a double edged sword for sure, especially is a close nit community like AO. What really sucks is that this will increase shipping costs for everyone from here on out.

[Dark Side]

I thought you had to sign with USPS insurance.

I had plenty of things insured for parts I've bought here and never signed for a single one. I guess I have been lucky to not have lost anything.

This is a double edged sword for sure, especially is a close nit community like AO. What really sucks is that this will increase shipping costs for everyone from here on out.

If that is what it takes to have solid realiabilty, then I my opinion it is worth every penny.

[RogueFactor]

What really sucks is that this will increase shipping costs for everyone from here on out.

Only if you make it mandatory for everyone. You can do it on an individual basis. Quote it to the customer with and without insurance. Then they choose.

What would really suck is if you took payment by PayPal and didnt insure it. If it never arrived, the customer could dispute the charges with their Credit Card company and PayPal, and youre screwed out of the money. Regardless of what people say here, as the shipper is responsible...I think youve just been lucky up to this point. It really sucks when you learn the lesson the hard way.

[AirAssault]

Noted. If you purchase an item from me and it doesnt show up, you wont expect reimbursement of your parts. Good to know.

If it isn't your screw up, why should I expect you to cover it? That's the problem with people today, expecting something for nothing. Now, if there is no proof that you shipped it, sure you have to cover it. DC is your best friend and it costs very little.

[RogueFactor]

If it isn't your screw up, why should I expect you to cover it?That's the problem with people today, expecting something for nothing.

Ok, by that logic explain why the recipient should cover it if it isnt their screw-up either?

The simple answer is...there is only one person that has the power to insure a package, and that is the person who ships the package. If the receiver has denied insurance, its 100% on the receiver. If the receiver wasnt asked, or given the option of denial, its on both. IMO, $200+ worth of parts should always include insurance.

PayPal & Credit Card companies policies take this into account. If a package isnt received, a person who paid with PayPal can dispute the charge and get their payment back. Same goes if you paid by Credit Card. Simple reason...its a responsibility of the shipper to cover themselves in the event of a package not arriving.

If it were me, Id be asking for half the cost of everything, not just re-doing the machining. As previously stated, I think the customer is being more than reasonable in their request.

Now, if there is no proof that you shipped it, sure you have to cover it. DC is your best friend and it costs very little.

Just an fyi...e-Delivery Confirmation does not show proof of shipment. All it does is show Delivery. If the package never arrives, it wont show the package being sent or received. Most companies ship their packages online.

If you stand in line at the Post Office, they will scan it into the system. But even then, its not a perfect system. With the quantity of packages Ive shipped out by USPS, Ive seen my share of USPS mistakes. Recent ones too. Of all types---packages empty, packages being delivered and never showing up in the system, packages being 3-4 weeks late, this list goes on...