Shipping delayed for over a month...

[chphan]

So as a Canadian buyer, I brought an item over $1K from a trusted USA seller that I'm a freq buyer off. Item was shipped out accordingly at beginning of month. Normally it takes 1 and half week to reach me as I'm a regular buyer or repeat buyer so I know the time line. Should have received it one and half week ago but....

However USPS or custom ended up sending it to the a wrong country by mistake. It got stuck in another country waiting for the issue to get sorted out another one and half week. Looks like it's now finally going to make it to the right country.... but it's going to get stuck at Canada custom because of the Canada strike that just took place last week. 

The item is way past it's due date due to it being sent to the wrong country by mistake. Now the due date of filing a return/or damage report is creeping up on ebay end. My problem is since I don't have the package, I have no idea if there was any damages on it's way to the wrong country and one the way back to Canada. Or if there will be any other damages while it is stuck at custom waiting for the strike to resolve. 

If I don't file an item arriving late and wait till whenever the strike end and the package comes in damage, I'm out of $1000 where I can't return the item or file any damages on ebay. The item being sent to wrong country isn't seller fault nor item getting stuck at Canada custom because of the strike isn't seller fault as well. But I have to think for myself as a buyer. The 2 weeks delay in getting it because it was sent to the wrong country really mess up this perfect transaction which I was suppose to get it way before the Canada Post strike. 

any ideas? 

[marnotom!]

With eBay, you have thirty (30) days from the last estimated date of delivery to file a claim/case for a not-received item.  It's not completely clear from your post whether you're still within that time threshold, but assuming that you are, get on that ASAP as it's the most straightforward way to protect your interests in this sale.

If the seller used the eBay International Shipping service to forward your item, your seller will be able to keep the monies from the sale and the refund will come from eBay.  If the seller (supposedly) shipped more directly to you, the refund will come from the seller and they will have to seek recourse through the carrier's insurer or whatever scheme the seller used to mitigate their losses in a case like this.

Also, if the seller shipped by a more direct means to you, you can always pay the seller again if you receive a refund before the item arrives and it arrives in satisfactory condition.

Since you seem to have a pretty good relationship with this seller, I would also communicate your intentions with them and emphasize that you really don't have any other options in this matter because of how eBay works.  I would hope that your seller is experienced enough to realize that this is business, not personal, and that their business plan makes some allowances for the occasional sale that goes awry due to issues with the carrier that they presumably chose themselves.

[msau4301]

I agree with marnotom. You have to cover yourself most importantly for a high price item like this. You say "the due date is creeping up on eBay" to file a case/report so make sure you do an item not received by that date to cover yourself. As marnotom suggests you can tell your buyer you will absolutely pay him when (if?!) it arrives but you have to do this by specified date just in case.

While it is not the sellers fault that the postal service messed up and now there is a postal strike but it is most certainly not yours either so better safe than sorry as they say.

[msau4301]

"you can tell your buyer"

Ooops, meant tell the seller.

[reallynicestamps]

If you open a Not Recieved Claim, but the item arrives and is Not As Described, you can change it to an NAD.

But do stay in communication with the seller, since you have had a good relationship in the past.

The shipment is in motion, although delayed, and you do have other options for NAD purchases.

You are also covered by Paypal (if you used that, although they have recently moved their deadline for Claims back from the 180 days from payment) and by the chargeback provisions of the credit card you actually paid with.

[chphan]

ok thanks. I will open an item on received by date claim since it's over a week now. Hopefully the seller understand and not think I'm trying to scam him and block me. I do plan on taking a look at his stuff once the strike is over but who knows when the strike will be over. I'm guessing the union is holding the entire christmas/new year holiday over the government as a bargaining chip. I will gladly resend the money again if the package finally arrive in good shape. With packages piling up at custom at the border, who knows what shape they be in when they finally start sorting things out when the strike is over. 

[msau4301]

I would still make sure to give an explanation to the seller (especially if it's one you've bought several times before from) and confirming you will re-pay him if it does show up.

If the strike was not on there could be a chance it would still make it to you but even when the strike ends I imagine there will be quite a back-log of packages for Canada Post to work through so definitely extended times. Since he's a US seller he may not be aware of the strike.

Hope your item does eventually get through, the seller is understanding and it works out it the end.

Good luck.