Question for Esav or any Postal worker for USPS that might know

[mqqn]

*** EDIT ***

If it looks like a duck - Steven Sanford of Howell Michigan is indeed a scammer. He will pay, get your item and either say the package was not delivered, that you sent the wrong item or some other way to take advantage of Ebay/Paypal buyer protection.

If this fellow buys an item, refund his "payment" promptly.

eye_stev - ebayid
Steven Howard - name
Howell Michigan - town
payapal/ebay email id - grayling.at.14@gmail.com

Approx 30-35, brown hair, claims he is in the National Guard (on his recently removed facebook page)

Related that he is currently seeking a ZT0888 - has scammed in the past for Hinderer Folder and Kershaw Ruby LE, high end sharpening kits and other items.

** / edit **

Hi folks -

I recently sold a fairly spendy knife on Ebay, first time with one that was more valuable than average (let's say $500 for round numbers).

I packaged the knife up very well in multiple layers of boxes with bubble wrap and lots of 3m strapping tape.

I sent the package Priority Mail, insured for the full amount, with adult signature required, meaning that the recipient would get the "yellow card" if he/she were not home when an attempt to deliver the package was made by the USPS.

The post office moved the package to the recipient's door in three days, and the recipient was not home so instead the yellow card notifying them of the failed delivery was left in the mailbox.

Today, I received an email from the recipient saying that he/she had taken the yellow card to the post office, and that the USPS let him/her sign for the package but did not give it to him/her, instead telling him/her...well, let me quote the email for you exactly as it was presented to me -

"On Thursday they attempted delivery and I wasn't home so I received the notice In my mail box, the next day which was Friday I went to the post office as per the notice indicating it would be available for pickup, I signed the notice and they went in the back to get the package, they came back and said it went out for delivery and the delivery person was a sub so they were unaware of the notice telling me to come get it, I go home and check the tracking and it says its been delivered to me but delivered in a different zip code than my own, so I am working with the post office to figure out where it went and I'm confident it will be rectified,"

So my questions -

1 - would the post office keep the yellow card for me to see the signature, and/or provide it as proof of delivery and if so, how do I go about getting a copy of that?

2 - would the post office have kept the yellow card and not given the package based on the information provided to me from the recipient above?

Thanks for any wisdom from the folks who know -

best

mqqn

 

[ncrockclimb]

I'll give you my experience with USPS. I do not work for them, but have a small business and mailed over 1000 priority mail packages last year.

USPS "standards" vary from office to office. I have seen packages listed as "delivered," only to show up at a customer's office a week later. Although USPS usually does a good job, the do screw up occasionally and, despite what they would like for you to believe, can be very lax in following their own procedures.

I know this does not answer your question directly, but it might give you some perspective on what may or may not happen to your package when shipped via USPS. I hope that you can get this resolved easily.

 

[RevDevil]

I'm not a USPS employee, but have bought and shipped out packages for a long time now. I've never had the post office show me a card when I have sent anything through registered mail (green I think) or signature confirmation (pink/orange I think). Those documents usually stay within the USPS system and can be seen if you type in the number on the stub you keep, along with the details printed on the receipts. Esav and Skyhorse (both USPS employees) have mentioned that registered mail has to be signed for by every person that touches the package as it works its way through the system. Signature confirmation may vary as well because it only requires signature upon delivery, verification can be obtained by checking the tracking number.

 

[mqqn]

Thanks folks -

When I get a package that requires a signature, and I am not home, my carrier always leaves a yellow/oragish card where I can either sign and have the package delivered on a subsequent day, or optionally it has instructions on how I can pick up my package at the post office.

Being a typical knife guy, I am usually at the post office the next morning when I get one of those cards, usually from Kershawguy lol.

I'll wait and see.

I have messaged a couple of ebayers that had bad experiences with my buyer to see what the problem was with the buyer.

I also am pursuing getting a copy of the signature confirmation or proof of delivery from USPS.

Thanks!

best

mqqn

 

[RevDevil]

Getting a copy should work, Andy. I'm pretty sure it will be possible.

 

[Citadel]

I'm pretty sure you'll it'll get smoothed out, but a mistake was made by carrier who 'attempted' your parcel. Subsequent to returning for the day he/she should have left your parcel with the clerks for customer pick-up at the office. Unless the recipient indicated otherwise (via 3849 in this case, what you call a yellow card) that parcel should not have left the building prior to it's being returned to the sender if unclaimed after 3 days.

 

[mqqn]

I'm pretty sure you'll it'll get smoothed out, but a mistake was made by carrier who 'attempted' your parcel. Subsequent to returning for the day he/she should have left your parcel with the clerks pick-up at the office. Unless the recipient indicated otherwise (via 3849 in this case, what you call a yellow card) that parcel should not have left the building prior to it's being returned to the sender if unclaimed after 3 days.

Thank you both very much -

I was emailed by the buyer who said that they "left the (3849) at the post office when they went to pick up the package" - but did not get the package.

That sounds very fishy, but who knows, maybe the package was out for delivery again.

It is just showing delivered.

Such is life.

I will check out what the ebay buyer protection means. I know that Ebay is still holding my funds, and they held the buyer's funds for 24 hours before I was allowed to ship the package so as to put my "seller protection" in full effect.

This has all been an interesting experience.

Next time, I'll stick with Bladeforums.

best

mqqn

 

[Citadel]

I would advice you to call that PO and ask for a supervisor, which dependent upon the size of that office and number of routes, is not a big deal. A call from you to supervisor, followed-up by supervisor to carrier takes mere minutes. That said, if that office does not open on Saturdays, it may be difficult to get answers.

 

[craytab]

Thank you both very much -

I was emailed by the buyer who said that they "left the (3849) at the post office when they went to pick up the package" - but did not get the package.

That sounds very fishy, but who knows, maybe the package was out for delivery again.

It is just showing delivered.

Such is life.

I will check out what the ebay buyer protection means. I know that Ebay is still holding my funds, and they held the buyer's funds for 24 hours before I was allowed to ship the package so as to put my "seller protection" in full effect.

This has all been an interesting experience.

Next time, I'll stick with Bladeforums.

best

mqqn

That is a crazy situation for sure! Though since it shows delivered you might be in the clear. Hope it doesn't change!

And as for sticking to BFC, that is a good idea. Everything gets more complicated when Ebay is involved, especially for a seller. That said, some knives just don't sell well here (Older SOG Fixed blades for me) so sometimes Ebay is a necessary evil.

 

[mqqn]

Due to great advice from this thread, I called the Howell Michigan post office.

The supervisor there was very helpful and friendly, and informed me that the person did indeed come in for the package yesterday, signed for it and left with the package.

I have a copy of the signature, and the supervisor confirmed that there was no "substitute" carrier on the route in question either day.

I sent the buyer this information, along with a copy of the signature that they signed, and wished them well.

I will see what happens from here, but since this person said they frequented bladeforums, I will post their name information and ebay user id information just so other members here can be aware of this person should they try to join here and scam someone. I do not believe the person has a user account here, but it is hard to tell at this point what is truth.

best

mqqn

 

[mqqn]

update - the Buyer emailed me and informed me that the package was delivered today in the late afternoon.

The important thing is that the package is in the buyers hands and they are happy.

Thank you all for the great advice, I can't help but think that calling the Supervisor helped this transaction to come to a satisfactory conclusion.



best

mqqn

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I retired from USPS in 1992.

Talking to a supervisor is always a good idea. Calling early before the carriers leave for delivery means the supervisor can speak to him right away.

 

[Quiet]

I would like the name of that Ebayer so I know never to do business with that guy. Caught in a lie, no matter how small, means untrustworthy in my book.

 

[S.Alexander]

I'm glad this worked out for you. It seems that you caught the buyer before he could scam you. You mentioned other bad feedback from other eBay sellers as well, so it sounds like this may be a pattern for him.

 

[bleedingfinger]

Mqqn, your attitude about this is admirable. However this buyer didn't make any mistake. You just made the right moves to thwart his plans.
Man, anytime I sell something expensive online I'm holding my breath until the transaction is completely over.

 

[Monofletch]

I work for the USPS. Remember this....with our new scanning system they can look on a map and see exactly were that carrier was when the package was scanned. They can even bring up a Google street view! If he/she wasn't in a reasonable distance from your house when scanned they will get a talking to. They will even send carriers out to correct mistakes. Amazon has an entire different set of rules. They have to be 100% delivered EVERY day or we get in trouble. No notice left....delivered! It says so right on the label, "Leave if no response"

The new GPS tracking is great until they start tracking me instead of the packages.

 

[Monofletch]

....also

When I scan a package on the street within 20 seconds it is updated on the website and you can see that it was delivered or notice left. No more waiting for me to download my scanner at the close of business.

Sorry, forgot to answer.....

1 - would the post office keep the yellow card for me to see the signature, and/or provide it as proof of delivery and if so, how do I go about getting a copy of that?
When the carrier delivers the package and it's signed for the scanner captures a electronic photo of the form 3849 (pink) with the signature. You should see that when you look it up on USPS.com-if not that supervisor you talked to should know how to print that out. It is easy.

2 - would the post office have kept the yellow card and not given the package based on the information provided to me from the recipient above?
No. Since it was insured for so much- If his photo ID shows the correct address they should have delivered the package.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

The rest of us having identity info to avoid getting scammed or having to go what you went through would be much appreciated. We have to look out for each other to put these people out of the business of screwing people.

 

[mqqn]

Ok - keep in mind the transaction does seem to be complete and I anticipate receiving my money once Ebay releases the funds.

The buyer has 11 feedbacks - all positive - in Ebay, with three of them having an "after the fact" comment left by the seller saying this buyer is a scammer.

I talked to two of the other three (one did not reply) and both said the buyer said he received an empty package, one for a sharpening system that was valued over $500 -

The buyer did eventually get his payment, but he had to work on Ebay to get it (buyer's protection).

All that said, here is the information of this buyer, proceed at your own risk.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Monofletch]

Sounds like MAIL FRAUD to me.......

Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or to sell, dispose of, loan, exchange, alter, give away, distribute, supply, or furnish or procure for unlawful use any counterfeit or spurious coin, obligation, security, or other article, or anything represented to be or intimated or held out to be such counterfeit or spurious article, for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice or attempting so to do, places in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter, any matter or thing whatever to be sent or delivered by the Postal Service, or deposits or causes to be deposited any matter or thing whatever to be sent or delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier, or takes or receives therefrom, any such matter or thing, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail or such carrier according to the direction thereon, or at the place at which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, any such matter or thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both