Other Missing shipment - what would you do?

[Sospikey]

I just placed a $500 order with a company I have been buying parts from for 5+ years. They have always been great to deal with and I wish to keep it that way. Now it seems that USPS has lost the box. It was a flat rate box, insured to $100 (default value) and it was lost in GA, before being processed for overseas shipping.
Should I take the $100 (IF USPS actually pays) and bite the bullet or should I file a claim with Mastercard since I didn't receive my goods? If I file a claim the company will eat the $500, right? What would you do???

 

[XJCrawler]

Did you ask them to only insure it for a $100

 

[Idok]

I just had a package of 4 of my tiedowns go missing via USPS




it sucks, but I had to put four more in a box and send them back out......

 

[Sospikey]

Did you ask them to only insure it for a $100

No. I didn't state how much to insure it to at all. Normally we keep the stated value down to "help" with fees and such in customs.

 

[Matt_E]

No. I didn't state how much to insure it to at all. Normally we keep the stated value down to "help" with fees and such in customs.

Well.....that's an unfortunate and intentional oversight. I wouldn't really complain too much to the company over that one when you were aware and fine with that practice.

 

[DAG]

There is no good way to handle this..

Not your fault cause you packed and mailed it
Not USPSs fault cause you didnt insure it
Not Buyers fault because he paid and never received.

 

[XJCrawler]

A lot of guys have stuff shipped that way here to Canada. Unfortunately I don't think you can blame the company, your taking the risk having it shipped cheaper to save on tax

 

[ChrisFiore15]

Yeah, they recently lost a switch backing too.. .USPS is slacking.

 

[nightrider05]

There is no good way to handle this..

Not your fault cause you packed and mailed it
Not USPSs fault cause you didnt insure it
Not Buyers fault because he paid and never received.

Pretty sure he is the buyer.

Its a sticky situation. Some feel that the seller is responsible for the item until it gets to the customer...others feel that once it leaves the sellers hands it is no longer their problem.

Have you spoken with the seller about it? Some larger companies will often eat the loss and just write it off...then send you another one. I'm not saying its their responsibility to do so, but it doesn't hurt to ask them what they are going to do about it.

 

[WaveDemon]

If you had only the default $100 insurance for customs reasons then I'd say collect the $100 and be happy with that.

If I were selling parts with reduced declared values for the benefit of the buyer I would be PISSED if they did a charge back when the shipment was lost. They should be charging you the full cost (or at least their cost) to insure the part. Maybe they'll sell you another part for their cost?

 

[theiba]

Not USPSs fault cause you didnt insure it

Whoa, wait a sec.

Yes the hell it is USPS's fault. The seller paid them to ship the package to it's destination. USPS is a organization, and the fact that they lose billions every month shows how worthless and overpaid most of the workers are and how flawed it is. The seller didn't enter into this shipping agreement with a "Hey, hopefully it will make it there" intention. He paid them to ship the package, and they failed to do so. It is 100% absolutely nobody's fault but USPS's.

Sorry to hear about your lost package, but always claim the true value for insurance. It's just not worth it, especially when you're shipping with USPS or one of the other cut rate shippers.

 

[FearMyWrX]

How long have you waited? I've had some freaky poop happen with USPS, including a flat rate envelope take 3.5 weeks to cross 2 states. Also, twice when I have shipped internationally the packages too two weeks longer than expected.

It's funny, now every time I ship international I send it USPS Express mail and end up getting my money back 4/5 times because they miss the cut off by a day or two. I've also learned to insure my packaged to the full amount when doing so, I think it was ~$4.00 to insure my express mail envelope for $1,000.

Theres no perfect solution. When was expected delivery date? I'd wait a couple more weeks. It should turn up...

 

[Mdavies_02]

No advice here, but I wish you the best of luck. Tight situation you are in.

 

[deftons56]

I had a shipment not show up because the train it was on derailed... Haha
Here's the line from my tracking:

Wolf Point, MT, United States

01/17/2012

11:00 P.M.

Train derailment.

 

[prettyricky218]

It may still come. If I read this correctly you are the buyer, not the seller? I'd file a claim and do everything you can to either get the product you paid for or your money back. YOUR insurance was $100 on the mailed product right? It's like care insurance. I only keep X amount of coverage on to cover myself if I happen to be at fault. YOU are not at fault...corect? USPS or the seller... whoever it is isn't you. I'd try and get reimbursement. Who knows with the Gov't, the goods could show up weeks from now.

 

[LeftysRule22]

I had a package get lost. It took 55 days for them to get it to me, and it went from NY, to Georgia, to Alaska, then Austin but it did come.

I use ups now.

Sent from my 3VO

 

[bigford78]

I shipped a motor to Fla. after 2 weeks (tracking number didn't show anything) USPS said they lost the package. As soon as I opened an insurance claim, It magically reappeared and was delivered 2 days later.

 

[Sospikey]

It has been in transit for 20 days, normally I get the stuff in 7-9 days. According to the tracking info it hasn't made it to the sorting station in GA yet.
I am the buyer, this is the first hick-up for me with USPS in 6 years.

 

[FearMyWrX]

I'd wait a little longer, maybe a week or two. I'd also advise the seller if you have not already the situation just so they are aware. I would also ask them what they thing you should so. This way you guys could work together (hopefully) to resolve the issue if your package never comes.

I've worked for UPS before and there are a variety of reasons why your package may not have been scanned. Also, as far as I am aware, USPS doesn't really offer tracking(except for certain services), only a delivery conformation. With that being said, packages are not always scanned into the system.

But, you should be fine in the long run whether it be getting your money back or new product (depending on certain policies). I know international shipment may void somethings. When you really look at it, the package has to go somewhere, regardless of how long it takes, it should so up at either yours or the senders address.... Unless if fell off a truck or some very unlikely event. This is probably just another example of USPS lack of ability and consistency and may have a part in why they are going bankrupt.

This isn't the first time things have been "lost" in transit before with USPS nor will it be the last.

 

[Watty]

Yep, just wait. I'm the same, usually things turn up in a week or two (US to Oz) but every now and then, I get one that takes several months. You can guarantee that when you re-order the missing parts, and they are sent, the other ones show up. This usually happens with USPS.

I think most people know the reasons for the insurance value being low. I figure I have saved enough money on customs fees over the years when the parts enter the country to offset a lost package every now and then. In saying that, I have never lost a single package. Sure, some of them go around the world several times, but never has one failed to show up...yet.