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Missing shipment

I recently made a purchase for $860 for a used item from a private seller. The seller shipped USPS Priority Mail. USPS tracking says that it was delivered. It was not by my door that day or for the next 3 days. This is the very first time in my many years of buying/selling that a package has gone missing. I live in a safe neighborhood. The seller did not insure it. We did not discuss insurance. I assumed that he would do so since $860 is a significant sum. He has 100% positive feedback – as do I. I’ll be filing a ’missing mail’ report with the USPS in the hopes that it will be located. But, since it wasn’t insured, will I be stuck with this loss?
steakster
joecasey
484 posts
 
jnovak,
Hi joecasey, Because without someone signing for it, who says it was delivered at all? Even though the USPS says so ...
Well if package is important enough, OP had tracking# so why didn’t he arrange for someone at home waiting for it?

I only have issue with your statement

I always thought the package was the shippers responsibility until delivered safely to the recipient.

Don’t buyers have some responsibilities too? PayPal is a different animal.

IMO, it's buyers responsibility to negotiate a shipping method.   Never assume on anything that's important / expensive.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,016 posts
 
I had this happen to me several years back and thought the package was stolen.  Turns out that USPS delivered the package to the wrong address
Same exact thing here.
donvito101
278 posts
 
If USPS shows that the package was delivered then the seller is off the hook. It is up to the OP to do some detective work as to find out what happened. BTW ,insurance covers for damage, not for a delivery that was shown being delivered!
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
If USPS shows that the package was delivered then the seller is off the hook.

This is not true. The seller is only off the hook if he has the signature of the recipient. If the seller sent the package with no signature required, then he is foolish, and he is still on the hook.

It is on the seller to prove that the item was delivered. USPS has no skin in the game.

I always ship with a signature required, to protect myself, as the seller.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
"BTW ,insurance covers for damage, not for a delivery that was shown being delivered!"

Check the USPS website. It states that the insurance is to protect against loss or damage. Also, with at least $200 insurance, a signature is required for delivery.

I never ship or agree to receive anything of value without insurance. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
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