more protection from the "I never got the item" customer??

[hamsterstamps]

Just fully refunded another buyer who claimed that they never received the item in question.  It doesn't happen often, but it is irritating when it happens as I am out the cost of the item and the cost of shipping.  I understand that it is the cost of doing business and I do work in a bit of an insurance policy into my prices to protect myself.  I'd love to send everything registered but my average sale is under $5 and adding $9 for canada and $16.50 for international obviously would not fly.  Unfortunately Canada Post can't get it's act together and offer tracking as an upgrade to first class mail like other countries, so I am stuck doing things  the old fashioned way - mail, and hope that my customers won't rip me off.

It is suspicious that of all my "I never got my items" disputes, not one item was ever returned by the postal service as undeliverable. This leads me to believe that most of these disputes are from people who are scamming.  It could also be theft from within the postal service (probably equally as likely) or perhaps some administrations are not bothering to return undelivered mail.

 In any case it would help to have a bit of protection from ebay from these situations.  Even if I wanted to leave negative feedback (and I wouldn't anyways as that would presume guilt) I can't as I always leave positive feedback when I mail out my items.  It would be nice to have a "buyer claims undelivered" box we could check that would show up on the buyers feedback dashboard.  Multiple claims would be a nice "red flag" to sellers - either the buyer is dishonest or has atrocious mail service.  Ebay could even be proactive with warnings or sanctions for habitual "refunders".

Any ideas?

[etoilecart]

What I do:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx

FILE A COMPLAINT

Report these issues to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online:

• Mail fraud May include scams or deceptive ads via the mail, or postage fraud.
• Mail theft Under Inquiry Type, select Problem. Under Customer Service, select Support, and Mail Theft. Under Additional Information, explain why your complaint is mail theft-related.
• Identity theft
• False change of address
• Vandalism Your mail receptacle was vandalized. 
• Unsolicited Sexually Oriented Advertising

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud related to the U.S. Mail, including mailed sweepstakes, lotteries, on-line auctions, work-at-home scams or chain letters, report your concern to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as mail fraud.

All information is voluntary, but the more you provide, the more likely it is that we can help you. We may share your information with other agencies if it comes under their jurisdiction. See the Privacy Act Statement for more details. This site uses secure methods to transfer data.

The Postal Inspection Service will contact you only if more information is needed. We gather data on mail-related crime to determine whether a violation has occurred. While we can’t guarantee we can recover lost money or items, your information can help alert Postal Inspectors to problem areas and possibly prevent others from being victimized. Inspectors base their investigations on the number, substance and pattern of complaints. We ask you to keep all original documents related to your complaint.

Sometimes that will scare them into saying "Sorry the item just arrived today" a day or so after the claim they didn't receive it. Just send them a message saying you've filed etc. Give them a case # whatever if they you have one.

Rarely some thieves will actually message privately or even on Facebook if you're on there and say **bleep** like "haha thanks for the free item!" That is the time to take a screen shot. Save everything and write a nice letter to the buyers local police department explaining.

[2014sportsterguy]

Where would EBay get the time to police the mail system almost absurd, simply put on your blocked list.

Where the mail ends up lost is an unknown who would you point fingers at ?

[dutchman48]

You can post a comment as an addition to your feedback left for the buyer and it does not have to be positive. Has buyer left feedback for you yet. If not it could be risky as buyer may retaliate.

I would block the buyer as well.

[73rhc]

In similar cases, I've left feedback saying something like "Very fast to pay. Refunded as buyer claimed item not received." Or something like that. It isn't negative but it puts it out there that the item went missing. If the buyer really didn't receive, it shows fairness on my part. If the buyer is scamming then it shows others the red flag.

[2014sportsterguy]

Soon as a buyer pays seller should give positive feedback period, the buyer has filled out their end of contract.

So becomes a deadbeat simply block ,it's not that hard to sell.

[pierrelebel]

"Soon as a buyer pays seller should give positive feedback period, the buyer has filled out their end of contract."

I fully agree.  It has been my policy for sixteen years.

[reallynicestamps]

 Unfortunately Canada Post can't get it's act together and offer tracking as an upgrade to first class mail like other countries,

While USPS does offer very cheap Delivery Confirmation (around 25 cents in some cases), this is only for domestic mail. Even First Class shipping to Canada with DC costs $25 and up. And is actually Priority International if I recall correctly.

This leads me to believe that most of these disputes are from people who are scamming.

Could be. 

It could also be theft from within the postal service (probably equally as likely)

Because a postal worker with a well-paid unionized job, excellent benefits, and a solid pension, will always risk all that for a $5 stamp in an unmarked envelope.

The few cases we hear about where postal workers are not delivering mail, seem to be mental health problems rather than criminal.

or perhaps some administrations are not bothering to return undelivered mail.

Or are very very slow to do so. Undelivered mail is certainly on the slow track for returns.

[hamsterstamps]

Wasn't implying theft from US/Canadian/.European mail systems as these are a very small minority of undeliverable items.  The majority of undelivered mail seems to happen in Asia and Russia where postal employees aren't paid a whole lot.

And I agree with the rest of you that positive feedback gets given as soon as the buyer pays; that has also been my policy since I began in '97.  I think the number of scammers is actually quite low which is why I'd like to see more effort into catching them.  I used to do Stamp Shows and the amount of "seepage" from those was much higher than the relative safety of Ebay.

[pjcdn2005]

While USPS does offer very cheap Delivery Confirmation (around 25 cents in some cases), this is only for domestic mail. Even First Class shipping to Canada with DC costs $25 and up. And is actually Priority International if I recall correctly.

USPS First Class Package International with delivery confirmation starts out at just over $6.

[73rhc]

eBay has changed since it's inception. The sellers had to adapt. And the Buyers have changed, as well. I usually give feedback upon payment. However, I, sometimes, wait until the buyer has received the item. Sometimes, buyers are ruse or impatient while waiting for their item. In these instances, I reserve the right to refrain from leaving feedback. There is no obligation by either party to leave feedback, So why not use it strategically.

Don't forget,16 years ago, sellers could leave negative feedback. If not abused, it was an affective tool. Others will disagree, but that's my opinion.

[femmefan1946]

Yes, and I have recommended it in the past. Then there was a warning that this was no longer true and I wrote USPS about it.

Here is their very long and very canned reply.

On Fri, Nov 21, 2014 at 4:10 PM, USPS Technical Support <uspstechnicalsupport@mailps.custhelp.com> wrote:

Customer By CSS Email (11/20/2014 10:55 AM)

Until recently, I understood that First Class International Parcel service to Canada included Confirmation of Delivery. 

Today, a friend told me this is no longer true.

I can’t see anything on the ups.com site saying whether the service is Delivery Confirmed or not.

This is of importance, because, although I am in Canada, I buy a lot online from the USA and would prefer that my purchases be tracked. 

Thank you for your help with this.

Response By Email (11/21/2014 04:10 PM)

Thank you for contacting the USPS Internet Customer Care Center about tracking your item shipped via Priority Mail International or First Class Mail International.

First-Class Mail International and Priority Mail International Flat Rate small box and envelope items do not offer tracking or tracing as part of the service

Your parcel, however, may receive scans as it maneuvers through the United States, but this is neither a requirement nor guarantee. You may find other delivery options for these services by visiting your local Post Office. If you would like a fully traceable International service, please use our Priority Mail Express International or Global Express Guaranteed services.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us again.

Thank you for emailing your Postal Service,

USPS Internet Customer Care Center

Customer By CSS Email (11/22/2014 11:25 AM)

Thank you, but not quite what I need to know.

I understood that USPS First Class International Parcel offered Confirmation of Delivery when the item was delivered. I am not concerned about tracking,

This may seem odd, but I am an eBay buyer, and eBay and Paypal both require Confirmation of Delivery (not tracking or tracing, just delivery) in cases where delivery is disputed.

Also USPS is much cheaper and more reliable than the Global Shipping Program set up for US eBay sellers by Pitney Bowes.

However, if the FCMI does not offer Delivery Confirmation, then my US sellers will prefer to use the more expensive GSP.

I understand that processing the Confirmation of Delivery may be up to Canada Post.

Thank you for contacting the USPS® Internet Customer Care Center. 

The electronic version of Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International (eDelcon) is available only through USPS-approved PC Postage vendors, Click-N-Ship, Click-N-Ship for Business, Web tools, and Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software.

First-Class Package International Service™ (FCPIS) items paid for at post office retail counters and being mailed to eligible countries  (Canada included) can be tracked using the barcode of the PS Form 2976 (customs form) which begins with the prefix LC.

What is Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International (eDelcon)?

Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International (eDelcon) service provides tracking information which includes the date and time an article was delivered or, if delivery was attempted but not completed, the date and time of the delivery attempt. You can the check the delivery status of an item by going to USPS.com and clicking on the "USPS Tracking" feature.

This service is designed to improve customer service and strengthen the business-to-customer commerce channel. It is available for First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) items and the following Priority Mail International Flat Rate items:

• Flat Rate Envelope
• Legal Flat Rate Envelope
• Small Flat Rate Envelope
• Window Flat Rate Envelope
• Padded Flat Rate Envelope
• Small Flat Rate Box
• DVD Flat Rate Box
• Large Video Flat Rate Box

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us again.

Thank you for emailing your Postal Service™,

USPS Internet Customer Care Center

[femmefan1946]

So I think we have confirmation that USPS First Class Packages DO have Delivery Confirmation (but not actual tracking).

Yeah! (as a buyer)

Darn! (as a Canadian seller).

[pjcdn2005]

So I think we have confirmation that USPS First Class Packages DO have Delivery Confirmation (but not actual tracking).

Well I didn't need the confirmation as that is what I had said already but I'm glad that you are reassured now. 🙂

I didn't read the full letter from USPS so I don't know if they made it clear that e-delcon which is first class int'l with del confirmation is available only if purchased online. It is not available at the post office which could be why some U.S. sellers are not familiar with it.

[femmefan1946]

Especially if they are getting their postage at the PO counter since they are required to bring international parcels in rather than dropping them in a mailbox or having them picked up.

Or have I got that wrong too?

It's been one of those days.

[pjcdn2005]

I don't know if they can drop them in a mailbox but USPS will pick up parcels at the seller's location and that does include first class international delcon. There is no need for them to go to the post office.

I'm not positive, but I think they had to go to the post office in the past because they could not purchase first class international online...it had to be purchased at the post office. But that changed at least 2 years ago if not longer.