Buyer says he received empty package

[vip-marketplace]

Sold a 75$ items to a guy in Florida.

It was a very small item but very carefully packaged and shipped with Canada Post Air USA.

Here is the message I received today:

"I finally received my package today after waiting for 3 weeks. The problem is there was nothing in the package. You can see in the photo that end was opened one way or another. I've been waiting patiently and excited to finally get it. Please let me know what you'd like to do.

Thanks"

And he attached a picture of my package that has been opened.

What should I do? There is absolutely no way this happened by accident. Obviously I can't prove someone from Cnada Post or USPS didn't steal it but it's really nothing anyone would like to steal really.

[pierrelebel]

Sorry this problem happened to you.

First thing to do is refund the buyer in full - including shipping charge.

Then ask the buyer to keep the box as received as a claim will be made with the "postal authorities" and it may be required for inspection.

"Canada Post Air USA."

??? Not sure what service that is but I expect it includes indemnity up to $100.  As such file a claim with Canada Post for damages.

With a bit of luck you will get your money back.

[sylviebee]

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@vip-marketplace wrote:

There is absolutely no way this happened by accident. 

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I have received an empty package in the past.  It can happen by accident.

[vip-marketplace]

Here is the method used: https://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/business/productsservices/smallpacket_air.jsf?mode=web

Am I right thinking there was no insurance included? I also don't think I have any tracking number making it impossible to start a claim anyways... :S

[ricarmic]

When my daughter was helping me out when she was 12 or so (more than 10 years ago now!), I had her filling out the customs forms.

She was dutifully printing out $5.00 but all in large letters, making it look more like it was $500.

I had a few "empty envelopes" arrive to US destinations till I coached my daughter to make the cents smaller, after that no more empty arrivals....

[pierrelebel]

Unfortunately, if you use the economical "Small Packet USA" service, it does not include the indemnity.

The "Tracked Packet USA" service (cost a few more dollars) would have provided a "up to $100" indemnity.

[vip-marketplace]

So... I guess I need to refund the order in full out of pocket?

[ricarmic]

Yep this is what one uses femme's cookie jar insurance for.....

[mr.elmwood]

Ya eat it, refund, and move on. I am buckets of dollars ahead with my cookie jar insurance.

[reallynicestamps]

Was there any indication of USPS involvement?

When USPS (or Canada Post or GPS or....) notice a parcel in their hands is damaged, they pull it, and make clear what has happened.

I do think it worthwhile going for the postal inspectors even if there is no tracking or insurance.

Even if it is just to put the buyer on notice that he shouldn't expect free money.

And the PO would want to know if there was a trail showing a dishonest employee or contractor.

[hlmacdon]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

Was there any indication of USPS involvement?

When USPS (or Canada Post or GPS or....) notice a parcel in their hands is damaged, they pull it, and make clear what has happened.

I do think it

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Unfortunately that isn't always the case. I've had a few packages get delivered in obliterated condition to customers, whether Canada Post or USPS, with no notice or marking (these are ones left for delivery with no sig confirmation). Here's an example of one particularly bad one. There are occasions when the system just fails in multiple places.

[Anonymous]

According to the photos shown here, it looks as if it was not packaged properly.  It needs lots of packaging tapes.  Pity that you didn't use Tracked Packet or Expedited.  I would for $75.00.  Lesson learned here.

[maximus7001]

$8.36 vs $14 on a $75 item to have coverage is definately worth it. Remember that the insurance pays for the $14 shipping too. In this case total refund is $75 + shipping. It is worse than it sounds.

Usually the barcode on the small packet tricks the dishonest type into thinking it was tracked and scares them out of fraud. We use white ou to hide he words "no delivery scan" to further deter ffraud. We will never know if this one is real fraud or not. Just refund and move on.