What is my best option

[jenni200011]

Please everyone need some help on this one..Purchased an expensive item( spent approx $350) from the US..I normally wouldnt spend this much with a seller i dont know but i put my trust in her..She listed with global shipping and  kindly agreed to relist  the listing with USPS for postage  for me as i dont like using global shipping..All this was done quickly and with great communication..I was very happy and paid her straight after making purchase with paypal. ( about 3 weeks ago) Then sent emails to ask when she would post and give me tracking number but days went by no reply..Finally she did respond and said she had been busy with schooling and would try post ( last monday) ..no communication back after me sending constant emails  until following friday and again said all was ok but she  was still busy  and didnt get a chance but would try post this monday once again  ( today)..I was getting really frustrated and said i'd wait for tracking  info today but really needed them posted for sure ..Nothing has happened today..Should i open case..I m anxious as its alot of money and what if she packs badly and damages them too..

[curraone]

I would open a case now - she has had plenty of time and you don't want to run out of options.

[kopenhagen5 · Accepted solution]

As curraone suggests or

Wait 40-43 days after payment date, then open the case.

That gives you a further 20 days before you need to escalate to a claim.

Send the seller a message explaining you have opened the case so as not to miss the deadline but won't escalate yet.

Should you escalate and receive a refund, then item arrives, you repay using PayPal. 

[jenni200011]

Yes thats a good way to deal with it..I really want the purchase badly  so im trying to keep calm and keep  hoping she will eventually send them on safely packed ..Just really dissapointed in her initial speed and communication during the time of  making the purchase then  it all just fizzled away after the money was paid..Still ill wait until then as you have said  to do and when the time comes just explain im going to make a case when the 40 days after purchase payment was made..Thanks 

[kopenhagen5]

That's ok, just make sure you don't forget as 45 days precisely is the deadline and if there is time difference to factor in , better early then late.

[green-gifts-mkd]

Hi, just a few random thoughts, as I purchase from the US quite a bit, and know their postal service well:

1) I have never heard of a 'USPS Priority Mail International' service that only costs US$30.00. Is this what you paid? Even a Flat Rate Envelope currently costs US $46.50. And your items are likely to arrive completely broken if this is used. These things go through a lot. I once received one that had been half-eaten by the sorting machine.

2) A Medium Flat Rate box costs US$61.75. I am not sure what size your items are but with excellent packaging, this is the safest and way to post your items, as it is a fully tracked postage method and has plenty of space for your items.

3) It seems like your seller has decided to take a loss on postage or will actually use a First-Class Package International Service. To my knowledge (although I am not sure of this), First-Class items are not tracked beyond the borders of the USA.

Maybe your seller has had a change of heart, realising that all of those extra things such as tracking and insurance will cost extra (things that the GSP would have provided at your cost). However, it would be better if she told you this rather than keeping you hanging...

Of course, I could be completely wrong but the postage seems far too cheap for USPS Priority Mail International.

[ajarnjenny]

What? A flat rate envelope costs $46? A letter costs $46.50?

I think that you may have that a tad wrong. I correspond regularly with m friend in the US and it costs me $2.60, and to answer my letters, it costs her $1,30.

A flat envelope/

[davewil1964]

Who said it was Priority Mail International?

[green-gifts-mkd]

I'm pretty sure this is the listing: 111303811247

[green-gifts-mkd]

Please, give me some credit, I put a lot of thought into that response to perhaps save the OP some time and energy waiting for something that may never eventuate. I accidentally quoted the Express price for the Flat Rate Envelope but the regular price is still high too.

Flat Rate Envelope is the terminology they use for a certain kind of parcel envelope but, IMHO, it is not suitable for what the OP has purchased. The Medium Flat Rate box would be suitable. Please see pics attached: