TheSamba.com :: View topic - Package lost at USPS for one year : need advise to resolve

Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:34 am

Good Morning all,

I'm writing today because I have a case pending for one year now, related to a transaction done on The Samba and I would request some assistant in order to clear it.
I'll try to describe it briefly:

First Info, the seller in in the US (CA) I'm in Belgium (Europe) and the package is lost somewhere at USPS.

I tool contact with a seller on June the 15th 2011 related to an item, we agreed on the modality and once I made the payment he sent the good via USPS an provided me a tracking number on June the 27th 2011.
Problem starts when the local post took the package in charge; they didn't find my address (actually the address of my office) and returned the package back to US.(July 6th 2011)

I contacted them to understand the matters: they told me that the address was incomplete/incorrect ;The package was re-labeled to be sent back to origin.
However the address in their system was correct. anyway, I had to enter a claim, and prove that the address written on the pack was the good one (with a picture of it for ex.) and if so they would take shipping back at their expense.(Claim entered July 7th 2011)

Even if at that stage I already informed the seller about the situation, I let him know that the package was on his way back and I would need his assistance.
He went to the USPS office where the package was sent on Aug the 12th and returned on the 19th , there, USPS confirmed that the packed was on way back but no idea where it was exactly.

From this time we had several exchanges, at least to locate the pack, I personally contacted USPS several times but they wouldn't answer : only the seller can enter a claim!
We are now in March 2012!

I finally get feedback from seller he agreed to enter the claim as long as I prepare it, I've send it to him in April (the 4th) and have no feedback from him so far (sending him biweekly e-mails to get info)

I have no clue of where the package is, no feedback from the seller and no idea how to get it solve; this is why I would request your assistance.
I will for sure sent the link of this treat to the seller, I'm not trying to blame him or something, however he gets the money while I'm still waiting for almost a year.

FYI it was expensive parts and expensive delivery costs as well... almost one month salary for me!

Thank you for all assistance you might provide in order to clear this!
Rafael

Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:23 am

Hi Everyone,

Nobody has an idea how to solve it?

Thanks,
Raf

Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:59 am

I am not sure what you can do.
I think the seller has to help you from his local post office.

If you want me to email him to see if that helps, send me his email.

Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:08 am

Unfortunately, if the package was not insured, you are out of luck.
If it was insured, then the seller can contact the USPS and start the claim process.

Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:38 am

There should be some default insurance no matter what but it will be very little money.

Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:53 am

Honestly and don’t take this the wrong way but I think you are screwed. Next time don’t wait a year to jump on Samba. At this point even if it was insured (which we don’t know if it was and if so how much) it is too late to file a claim. A lot of unknowns in this case …………Joe

Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:34 pm

When US mail packages have a problem being shipped internationally the wheels turn VERY slow and it make hard for all parties.
US mail has to wait for a reply from the receiving post office and some times this takes forever.
When shipments are delayed in some countries, we recommend the reciever goes to the local post office and inquire, this usually helps a lost package to turn up.
I have had reports of the lost package being used as a footrest for a clerk.
We always insure packages that are of signicant value, also, the little flat rate envelopes are not trackable so we dont use them.
Without the insurance I'm afraid you are out of luck regardless of the time.
We have had a 99.99% sucess rate with international shipments via US mail, but like I said, when there is a problem it is difficult to deal with.

Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:53 am

Well Thank you for your feedback what ever it is!

Just for clarifying, multiple actions have been taken during this "pending year" however since the Belgian post has re-labeled the package in order to return it back we lost the trace.
The seller contacted me once, saying that he went to a USPS office and they could confirm that the package was on his way back, but not arrived yet (So I believed it will remains traceable)
But since then, nothing.

I was expecting a way that lost or unallocated packages are going "somewhere" with a reference (tracking number) and we can ask to have them back...

It looks I've lost... :(

Thank you anyway!