Advice on how to handle stolen or missing package

[braillediver]

Lately I've been asking the Buyer if they want Signature Confirmation. But with Covid even that's iffy these days.

Previously I'd just automatically get Signature Confirmation instead of additional Insurance since they'd just leave the package if it was insured for less than $500.

I guess I'll be adding Signature Confirmation regardless for any sales during the Holidays.

 

[Vaporstang]

Ironically today I received a USPS package for a different address. Long story short, there were several different factors that could have been in play why it happened. Sometimes, such as today, USPS runs two deliveries in my area, one for packages and one for mail. I put a note on the package and USPS picked it up on the second run. I know their route and where the house was, so I am assuming it was delivered yet today.

Hopefully something similar happened to you and it will yet show up.....

 

[AntDog]

I swear, I will beat a porch pirate within an inch of his life. Can’t stand thieves.

I’ve only had a couple things go missing in many years, but it was low dollar stuff which I either reimbursed or was being sent as a gift.

When I’m sending something high dollar, it goes insured, delivery confirmation, signature required.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Package theft off of porches is an increasing issue now days so "stolen" is not a huge stretch in many cases.

I feel as a seller my responsibility is for the package to get delivered to the buyers address. If USPS, UPS or FEDEX accomplishes that and it is truly delivered a seller really cannot be responsible for what happens after delivery to the correct address is made.

I agree with this. I will still do my due diligence and contact the postal carrier. But if it says delivered...seller is off the hook. In most cases.

 

[skyhorse]

USPS carriers now have scanners that are equipped with GPS tracking and the postal inspectors can find out exactly where the package was delivered. ... Most USPS vehicles now have GPS to tell them where it was when the package was scanned. If the parcel was delivered and then stolen , I don't see how the sender could be held liable.

 

[Monofletch]

T

I started doing signature required for valuable items, but apparently with Covid, carriers have the option to not get a signature, so you may not get the service you are paying for.

The policy is... knock on the door. The carrier waits for an answer then signs as the “Agent” and writes COVID 19 in the scanner. The customer should be watching this happen....from behind the door.

 

[Steve Engelbrecht]

Glad it worked out, you get the lesson for free this time.

"That sucks, it’s my understanding that it is your responsibility to get the package to the buyer. Insurance is for the shipper not the recipient."

Some people have a different opinion than you on this matter. It appears that the responses are at least split, what is the reasoning behind your statement, if you don't mind indulging me?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Some people have a different opinion than you on this matter. It appears that the responses are at least split, what is the reasoning behind your statement, if you don't mind indulging me?

I think he was referencing the “signature required” option. And I agree, always do the signature required.

 

[Steve Engelbrecht]

I grabbed the wrong quote, but his first reply is that it is the seller's responsibility to get the package to the buyer. I just wanted to know his reasoning. It is apparent that even with signature required, some postal workers are leaving the packages without the recipient's signature because of Covid right now.

 

[Danke42]

I started working remotely over a decade ago and at the time our freight carrier put a sticker on our back porch they'd scan when they dropped a package so they didn't need a sig.

They don't do that anymore. Instead if they leave a box they take a picture of the delivery. Of course that leaves room for some mischief afterwards but at least where we are even if Amazon leaves box at the front it's pretty safe.

 

[3fifty7]

Just referencing what I’ve seen here more times than not when a package doesn’t arrive for whatever reason.
The shipper buys the insurance when shipping, the shipper can collect, not the buyer. I understand it can be very tough to collect an insurance claim as the default procedure is to deny, deny, deny.

"That sucks, it’s my understanding that it is your responsibility to get the package to the buyer. Insurance is for the shipper not the recipient."

Some people have a different opinion than you on this matter. It appears that the responses are at least split, what is the reasoning behind your statement, if you don't mind indulging me?

 

[Thomas Linton]

UPS handed my package off to USPS eight days ago. It reached our local PO at 3:45 A.M. seven days ago. Not delivered.

The local PO has disconnected its telephone.

The USPS 800 number gives you a message that it can tell you nothing, then disconnects.

Our roads have been snow-free for six days and dry for four days, not counting today. No wind. Temps just above freezing.

Bills are delivered daily.

Package contains two pins and two patches - mailbox-sized.

 

[RoyalHolic]

Signature Confirmation isn't a guarantee either, I had the Final Edition Nyala come in the mail the other day with Signature Confirmation and it was signed by the postman D DD some of the mailmen don't care they will type confirmed and throw it on your porch.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Just notice that a couple of pins I ordered also went UPS to USPS on December 1. UPS says delivery "expected" December 3. USPS, as noted above, ain't talking. Tried USPS tracking number: "No information available at this time." I sure want to depend more and more on the government or, at least, computers.

 

[Triton]

I agree with this. I will still do my due diligence and contact the postal carrier. But if it says delivered...seller is off the hook. In most cases.

So...consider a situation where a box containing some random trash or nothing at all is delivered.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

So...consider a situation where a box containing some random trash or nothing at all is delivered.

Consider where I said “In most cases” in my post.

Are you accusing me of putting “trash” in my boxes as a seller?

ETA:When I ship a knife. Its correct and in the box. That’s why you paid with PP G&S...you’re welcome.
Everyone knows by now that PO employees wont get you to sign, so if you go ahead and purchase my knife and I send “signature required” its on you if it gets taken off your porch.
Your post was nothing but an attempt at stirring the pot.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

"That sucks, it’s my understanding that it is your responsibility to get the package to the buyer. Insurance is for the shipper not the recipient."

Some people have a different opinion than you on this matter. It appears that the responses are at least split, what is the reasoning behind your statement, if you don't mind indulging me?

The vast majority here as well as PP believe it is the sellers responsibility to get the package to the buyer. Where it gets a little stickier is when is that achieved-when it is marked delivered or when the buyer says he got it. PP is going to go with delivered. The insurance is also going to end when it says delivered. Unfortunately marked delivered isn't necessarily delivered.
I personally would deal with it case by case and decide if I felt I should cover it based on the evidence. I don't however feel it is an obligation for me to secure his porch and mail box, but I try my best to be fair.

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

UPS handed my package off to USPS eight days ago. It reached our local PO at 3:45 A.M. seven days ago. Not delivered.

The local PO has disconnected its telephone.

The USPS 800 number gives you a message that it can tell you nothing, then disconnects.

Our roads have been snow-free for six days and dry for four days, not counting today. No wind. Temps just above freezing.

Bills are delivered daily.

Package contains two pins and two patches - mailbox-sized.

Just notice that a couple of pins I ordered also went UPS to USPS on December 1. UPS says delivery "expected" December 3. USPS, as noted above, ain't talking. Tried USPS tracking number: "No information available at this time." I sure want to depend more and more on the government or, at least, computers.

For everyone’s information too.

You are talking about what is called a Sure Post Package, https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/tracking-support/sp-definition.page

The UPS tracking system tracks all inbound packages and at your final destination hub the Sure Post Package is hand sorted into giant nylon zipper bags all to be delivered to your local USPS building. It gets delivered too late to the PO to be delivered the same day, hence why it’s defined as delivery scheduled for the following day by the PO.

On a normal pre Covid day it’s typical for 10-25 bags of Sure Post Packages to be delivered to the local PO, each bag containing 20-50 small under 5 pound packages. Now during Covid, and the holiday season too, I can only imagine how many thousand small Sure Post Packages are delivered each day. There is no way it will be delivered the following day knowing what I know about the system.

However, if the UPS inbound tracking system shows that your particular address has more than 1 single package coming to you for the same day, then UPS automatically overrides the Sure Post and will deliver to your residential address that same day 2 or more packages (it is then profitable to do so).

Second way to override the Sure Post is to join and pay the My Choice UPS. That allows you extra features and changes you can make to an inbound package, all at an extra price though.
https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/tracking/mychoice.page

I’ve kept in contact with some of the current drivers and they say it’s just like Christmas Peak, but everyday. So I can just only imagine how tough it is for all the carriers during this new times of Covid online overload.

UPS does have the most reliable and consistent real time tracking that I’ve experienced. You can’t get real time GPS of the vehicle due to safety (there is a lag time), but the package scan is live time. Sometimes it’s worth it to just pay a little extra for your delivery, depending of course on your location.

Hope this can help some people and packages too.

 

[Triton]

Consider where I said “In most cases” in my post.

Are you accusing me of putting “trash” in my boxes as a seller?

ETA:When I ship a knife. Its correct and in the box. That’s why you paid with PP G&S...you’re welcome.
Everyone knows by now that PO employees wont get you to sign, so if you go ahead and purchase my knife and I send “signature required” its on you if it gets taken off your porch.
Your post was nothing but an attempt at stirring the pot.

Notably, I am not accusing you of anything. I was pointing out that simply shrugging and saying "well it says delivered, so now it is your problem" is not historically been the norm around here. The norm is (was?) that the deal is not done until both parties are satisfied.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Notably, I am not accusing you of anything. I was pointing out that simply shrugging and saying "well it says delivered, so now it is your problem" is not historically been the norm around here. The norm is (was?) that the deal is not done until both parties are satisfied.

First I didn’t shrug it off. Second, I take getting my parcel to the buyer seriously. What I do take offence to is why you quoted MY post. I was agreeing with another member. Also, if you paid with F&F and receive an empty box or “trash in a box”, shame on you. You have no recourse.
If you paid G&S, if it says delivered and someone signed for it, and now it’s missing...what do you want me to do? I can’t claim insurance now, and how do I know you aren’t screwing me.
Like I said before...you are stirring the pot.