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Paypal Question

I sold a card recently and sent it USPS registered w/ signature confirmation and full insurance. So far, the package has not arrived. The buyer is freaking out. I received payment 1/17 and shipped it 1/17. Registered, in my experience, can sometimes take 1 week+, so I'm not super concerned yet that the package is lost. However, calls to the post office did not yield any useful information as to the whereabouts of the package (neither does the online tracking). All this said, a couple of questions:

1) Is there a mandated period the buyer has to wait before filing a claim?
2) If the package is lost (in which case I would file an insurance claim), how do I ensure that the buyer doesn't get BOTH a refund AND the package (let's say it turns out not to be lost later on after all).

I insure high-end cards for situations like these, though honestly I've never ever had an issue with registered mail before. Most likely the package will arrive, but the buyer is quite antsy. I wanted to gather a little information which is scant on the paypal site, and collective knowledge here probably exceeds paypal customer support anyway.

Thanks in advance for any info...
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Comments

  • TonyCTonyC Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I sold a card recently and sent it USPS registered w/ signature confirmation and full insurance. So far, the package has not arrived. The buyer is freaking out. I received payment 1/17 and shipped it 1/17. Registered, in my experience, can sometimes take 1 week+, so I'm not super concerned yet that the package is lost. However, calls to the post office did not yield any useful information as to the whereabouts of the package (neither does the online tracking). All this said, a couple of questions:

    1) Is there a mandated period the buyer has to wait before filing a claim?
    2) If the package is lost (in which case I would file an insurance claim), how do I ensure that the buyer doesn't get BOTH a refund AND the package (let's say it turns out not to be lost later on after all).

    I insure high-end cards for situations like these, though honestly I've never ever had an issue with registered mail before. Most likely the package will arrive, but the buyer is quite antsy. I wanted to gather a little information which is scant on the paypal site, and collective knowledge here probably exceeds paypal customer support anyway.

    Thanks in advance for any info... >>



    1. The buyer has to wait until the end of the "estimated delivery" window in eBay before they can file a claim.
    2. I don't know the answer, but knowing how Paypal works, there is a good chance the buyer could get a card and their money.


    What is the last step the package has taken when you put in the tracking number?
    Collecting Tony Conigliaro
  • Registered mail is slow but accurate, it will get there eventually. Can take up 10-14 days.
    From what I can tell, 707 is the DOLLAR STORE compared to deans_cards. For what that guy charges, if I ever bought anything from him I would expect it to be delivered to me in a frickin' limo.
    ~WalterSobchak
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭


    << <i>1. The buyer has to wait until the end of the "estimated delivery" window in eBay before they can file a claim.
    2. I don't know the answer, but knowing how Paypal works, there is a good chance the buyer could get a card and their money.


    What is the last step the package has taken when you put in the tracking number? >>



    This was a paypal transaction. eBay was not involved. As is usual with registered, you see the point or origin when confirmation number is entered into the website. Nothing more. It's not like express where it shows each intermediate stop.
    image




  • << <i>

    << <i>1. The buyer has to wait until the end of the "estimated delivery" window in eBay before they can file a claim.
    2. I don't know the answer, but knowing how Paypal works, there is a good chance the buyer could get a card and their money.


    What is the last step the package has taken when you put in the tracking number? >>



    This was a paypal transaction. eBay was not involved. As is usual with registered, you see the point or origin when confirmation number is entered into the website. Nothing more. It's not like express where it shows each intermediate stop. >>




    If you are on good terms with your PO ask them to check the USPS computer system. I have a tiny PO in town here and they are really helpful and have told me that sometimes they will see info in the USPS system that does not show up on the regular USPS tracking site.
  • zep33zep33 Posts: 6,897 ✭✭✭
    whatever happened to our resident mail guy that could check those tracking #s for us when we couldn't do it with the tools us little people are allowed to use? I forgot his name - Jim?

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Yep it was JimQ112.

    Good for you.
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
    I don't think he's been around for a while, right Steve? Also, are you offering a prize for anyone guessing when you'll hit 30K posts?

    image


  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,749 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This situation is the reason why I wouldn't use registered mail for a paypal transaction, as 2 weeks transit time is not unusual for a registered mail package. As safe as it is, if you have an impatient buyer like the OP has, a chargeback is likely before the package is even dlvd.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • vladguerrerovladguerrero Posts: 4,077 ✭✭✭


    << <i>This situation is the reason why I wouldn't use registered mail for a paypal transaction, as 2 weeks transit time is not unusual for a registered mail package. As safe as it is, if you have an impatient buyer like the OP has, a chargeback is likely before the package is even dlvd. >>



    Is the insurance limit not higher?
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭
    i've been told that a Registered Mail package can sit in a lock box for up to a week before they process it to the recipient.

    this was how i learned NOT to send my orders to PSA that way. image
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Dan

    Funny you mention that, I was thinking of it just last night.





    Steve
    Good for you.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,749 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Priority and express mail offer insurance up to 5k. Registered goes up to 25k I believe.


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • JMDVMJMDVM Posts: 950 ✭✭✭



    If you are on good terms with your PO ask them to check the USPS computer system. I have a tiny PO in town here and they are really helpful and have told me that sometimes they will see info in the USPS system that does not show up on the regular USPS tracking site. >>



    That is what I do. Bring the number to your postmaster and they can track it in their system. I once mailed a 52 Bow Large Landry PSA 6 insured for $200. It never arrived to its destination and the tracking number ended at a sorting facility. I had to wait 30 days before filing a claim for which I was reimbursed. I did reimburse the buyer before I filed the claim but that was a gamble because if the item did show up during that 30 day waiting period I would have lost the claim with the PO. Not sure what the right answer is, as its hard to ask a buyer to sit tight for 30 days.
    Registered mail is not perfect either. I remember a local news story here in Maryland about 15 years ago, where a young kid who was studying ventriloquism, sent his $5000 dummy in for servicing to an outfit in California. The dummy fell off the grid, he could not be located. The story did end with a happy ending----the dummy was found in a PO in Arizona. True story!
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
    Like I said, never had a problem with Registered arriving. Correct, registered covers up to 25K.

    Maybe I should contact the Postmaster General. Reminds me of one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes.



    image


  • JMDVMJMDVM Posts: 950 ✭✭✭
    Forgot to mention the dummy turned up ONE YEAR LATER......and no he wasn't working at the PO---he was probably over qualified.
  • wallst32wallst32 Posts: 513 ✭✭


    << <i>
    This was a paypal transaction. eBay was not involved. As is usual with registered, you see the point or origin when confirmation number is entered into the website. Nothing more. It's not like express where it shows each intermediate stop. >>



    I use registered mailed very once in awhile (including very recently) and it has always showed all stops along the way. What level of service did you use for sending the item? If it was Parcel Post that could take a while (over one week).
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
    I used first class. I've tried priority many times and have found that it doesn't speed up registered.
    image


  • MBMiller25MBMiller25 Posts: 6,057 ✭✭
    Dan, I hope this work out. I am assuming this is the 51?

    1. You have to wait until the expected ship date passes to file a claim.
    2. Your at risk of the seller getting the card and refund if this goes beyond th expected ship date AND the claim period lapses.

  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Dan

    Using priority registered is only because an item weighed a certain amount.

    It is not the same as priority mail. The Priority Registered is only the rate you pay.

    Good for you.
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭


    << <i>how do I ensure that the buyer doesn't get BOTH a refund AND the package >>




    Upon delivery the PO will know it was delivered.
    Good for you.
  • jmmiller777jmmiller777 Posts: 1,324 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I sold a card recently and sent it USPS registered w/ signature confirmation and full insurance. So far, the package has not arrived. The buyer is freaking out. I received payment 1/17 and shipped it 1/17. Registered, in my experience, can sometimes take 1 week+, so I'm not super concerned yet that the package is lost. However, calls to the post office did not yield any useful information as to the whereabouts of the package (neither does the online tracking). All this said, a couple of questions:

    1) Is there a mandated period the buyer has to wait before filing a claim?
    2) If the package is lost (in which case I would file an insurance claim), how do I ensure that the buyer doesn't get BOTH a refund AND the package (let's say it turns out not to be lost later on after all).

    I insure high-end cards for situations like these, though honestly I've never ever had an issue with registered mail before. Most likely the package will arrive, but the buyer is quite antsy. I wanted to gather a little information which is scant on the paypal site, and collective knowledge here probably exceeds paypal customer support anyway.

    Thanks in advance for any info... >>



    The moral of this story is that the Post Office is a complete rip off when it comes to making insurance claims, don't buy it. Once you buy the insurance, you'll never get to talk to a live human again. I have had two bad experiences with the insurance bit with the P.O. I ouight to post pictuers of the vintage Harmon Kardon stereo that I had delivered to a buyer back east. Incredible! The reciever was flatened when arrived. The box was totally trashed. The Post Office should of never even delivered it on the front door of the buyer. Crazy! Then they would not accept responsibility, couldn't even talk to a person. The second incident was with Mickey Mantle restaurant menus. The postman folded them in half and stuck them in my mailbox. The seller was unsuccessful in getting any resolution. I was understanding and did not take out against the seller, it wasn't his fault. But the Post Office is very difficult to deal with when it is a program your trying to negotiate with. Gosh... and that was the reciever getting the items. I can't imagine how it would work to a successful conclusion for the seller if the item never showed up.
    CURRENT PROJECTS IN WORK:
    To be honest, no direction, but...
    1966-69 Topps EX+
    1975 minis NrMt Kelloggs PSA 9
    All Topps Heritage-Master Sets
    image
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Dan, I hope this work out. I am assuming this is the 51?

    1. You have to wait until the expected ship date passes to file a claim.
    2. Your at risk of the seller getting the card and refund if this goes beyond th expected ship date AND the claim period lapses. >>



    Thanks, Matt. Fortunately it arrived today and the buyer is happy. And, yes, it was the 51 Bowman Mantle. Not the kind of card you want held up in the mail.
    image


  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Dan

    You sent this registered mail correct?

    Not sure what all the stress was about.

    Your parcel was in a locked bag and was signed for
    every step of the way by the next person that handled it.


    Good for you.
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Dan

    You sent this registered mail correct?

    Not sure what all the stress was about.

    Your parcel was in a locked bag and was signed for
    every step of the way by the next person that handled it. >>



    Steve, I wasn't stressed. My buyer was really stressed because 9 days delivery was foreign to him. That isn't all that abnormal for registered. If the buyer does a chargeback while the item is in transit and then the item is delivered, we've got a mess on our hands. And I was also wondering at what point would be the appropriate time to refund him (assuming no chargeback occured) if the package had been lost. I wanted to avoid the possibility of refunding the $ AND him eventually also getting the card. Probably the best way would be to wait until the USPS pays you off the insurance claim and then you refund. However, many buyers are impatient, not wanting to wait the 30 day or whatever USPS insurance research period, and could do a chargeback in the interim.

    Oh nevermind--he got the Mick so all is well. Back on the sidelines for you....
    image


  • ArchaninatorArchaninator Posts: 827 ✭✭✭
    .
  • thunderdanthunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Next time, you should try USPS Express fully insured. It would have taken 1 day, can be insured up to $5k and if you used a flat rate envelope likely cheaper. >>



    This one, I should have gone that route. However, sometimes the cards I sell exceed that amount, so I've tended to always use registered on those.

    I do like the ability to track it every step of the way, which Express gives you.
    image


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