Lost USPS package - What could/should I do after going to the post office?

SONOMOSCA

I was waiting on a purchase valued at just under $138 from BPM on Ebay. My community has those cluster mailboxes throughout the neighborhood. Yesterday I check tracking and it showed delivered in/at mailbox. I go to retrieve it and it's not there. This morning I go to the post office and give the tracking # and my information to an employee who says they will get someone out today to check and see if it was put into someone else's box. If I call BPM chances are they will say sorry item shows delivered which I can understand since it's not their fault. Contacting Ebay or Paypal I assume I'll get the same response or maybe not... I don't know. I never had a package go missing and I know $138 is not the end of the world but it still sucks! My question is what else should I do while waiting to see if the package finds it's way to me? Thank you in advance for any advice.

TomB

The snarky comment would be to tell you to get a PO box while you wait for information on the package. However, while snarky, it is also true. Since you already realize that you have a non-secure box then that is your best recourse. I would also suggest you place little leaflets into the other community mailboxes and on those leaflets perhaps mention that your package is missing and this might remind a neighbor that they have your package or nudge someone to do the right thing.

mannie gray

I would advise you to try not to get too worked up just yet.
Hopefully the person who received your package is honest and returns it to you or to the post office/letter carrier.
If not, you may just be out. I hope not, maybe others can chime in here and help. I would try to contact eBay and see what they say, but I would wait a few days first to see what happens.
I wish you luck, it sucks to be out that much money.
If you have a cluster/community mailbox and continue to plan on buying coins through the mail,etc. I would highly suggest that you rent a PO BOX for both your sanity and security.
The mail carriers and everyone in your neighborhood do not need to know what you are receiving in the mail. Many folks assume that any coin collector is filthy rich and has gold laying around in their house.
There are a few eBay sellers that will not ship to a PO BOX, but hey, just don't deal with them.

BAJJERFAN

@TomB said:
The snarky comment would be to tell you to get a PO box while you wait for information on the package. However, while snarky, it is also true. Since you already realize that you have a non-secure box then that is your best recourse. I would also suggest you place little leaflets into the other community mailboxes and on those leaflets perhaps mention that your package is missing and this might remind a neighbor that they have your package or nudge someone to do the right thing.

Even PO box mail can get delivered/put in the wrong mailbox. Hopefully they have video cameras recording it.

TommyType

Then there's my wife:

Got notice of a delivery "on the porch". Checked the porch. Nothing.

Then, in a fit of either brilliance or panic, she checked the porch of our OLD address about 4 miles away. It was sitting there happily waiting for her. At the risk of being identified as a "Porch Pirate", she snapped it up.

I asked her if she then went and updated the shipping address with the online seller. "I'll do it next time I buy". sigh

I've learned to not argue with her.....

lkeigwin

If it's anything like mailbox clusters in my neck of the woods each box is secured with a unique key, much like a regular PO box. So if OP's is like this I'm not sure a regular one would make any difference.

I'd give it a few more days. Things like this usually work themselves out.
Lance.

bigjpst

@lkeigwin said:
If it's anything like mailbox clusters in my neck of the woods each box is secured with a unique key, much like a regular PO box. So if OP's is like this I'm not sure a regular one would make any difference.

I'd give it a few more days. Things like this usually work themselves out.
Lance.

Ours are the same way here, but with a PO box, you get the added security of 24 hr. surveillance. Here the community mailboxes get broken into pretty regularly.

lkeigwin

I guess break-ins could happen, true. Never heard of it in our neighborhood.

If it did, I guess that would eliminate the question of "what happened to my coin package?"
Lance.

acloco

Human factor - person making the delivery forgot to place the key to the separate package box or put the key in the wrong box.

SONOMOSCA

Thank you for all the responses, For now I just printed up a few small signs and placed them on the outside ends of the mailboxes. I know the post office doesn't like when people do this, but i think it's more for solicitation. I've included a picture of the mailboxes.

derryb

ebay/paypal have been known to make buyer whole in similar cases. If coin doesn't show up share the sad story with them.

logger7

This makes my $20 or so a month at UPS store for a box look like a smart investment; around 17 years over a million and nothing went lost coming to me.

I'd look for the carrier to see if he remembers anything. Surveillance cameras? Talk to the postmaster. I find it a little weird on their online report, usps has a box to check "cash or coins", not collectibles with esoteric value.

SONOMOSCA

I decided to give BPM a call to see what they recommend doing and the customer service rep. told me to give it a few more days to the beginning of next week to see if the items shows up, and if not to call back and they will open an insurance claim. Then either send me a replacement or refund. Even after checking the tracking and seeing that it says delivered. Not sure if the small amount makes it easier for them to do this, but I'm shocked and amazed at their willingness to do so and not "pass the buck" when I believe they had every right to! WOW!

I have another order that shipped yesterday but I feel a little more comfortable since the order was over $300, because it then gets shipped out UPS w/signature confirmation.

segoja

GOOD LUCK

SONOMOSCA

The package did find it's way home! It was placed in a mailbox with the same street address but different street name.

Mannie gray brought up a good point - "The mail carriers and everyone in your neighborhood do not need to know what you are receiving in the mail. Many folks assume that any coin collector is filthy rich and has gold laying around in their house." Even if I know that's not the case, others don't.

I will be definitely be looking into another alternative for receiving any future purchases.

OPA

@SONOMOSCA said:
The package did find it's way home! It was placed in a mailbox with the same street address but different street name.

Mannie gray brought up a good point - "The mail carriers and everyone in your neighborhood do not need to know what you are receiving in the mail. Many folks assume that any coin collector is filthy rich and has gold laying around in their house." Even if I know that's not the case, others don't.

I will be definitely be looking into another alternative for receiving any future purchases.

I would not over react because of one mishap.

drwstr123

"...because it then gets shipped out UPS w/signature confirmation." and Santa Clause is real.

tincup

Very similar thing happened to me also.

I do have a PO box at a very small post office, which has very limited hours. Inside the post office, they have multiple keyed lockers where they place your package, and leave key in your PO Box. That way, you can pick up package when no one is in attendance at post office.

I waited for a package, which never showed up. Online tracking showed it was delivered, but I never got it or had a key in my PO box. Talked to the postmistress who then got a semi concerned look on her face 'hope it didn't get placed in a wrong box. Our records show it was delivered'. So, looked to me like I was SOL (it did not have to be signed for).

Thankfully, an honest person returned the item (it was if fact placed in wrong box and PO box).

Only way to prevent this IMO is to require signatures (which can still be goofed up). Good luck on your situation, and hope it works out ok.

mannie gray

Glad it showed up.