I'm actually pretty annoyed at the moment, and kind of venting before I contact my customer about this issue so that I don't taint my communication with how annoyed I am (the issue is 100% not the fault of the customer, and I will be relying on their honesty to get a good outcome).
So, feel free to just read and either chime in with whatever, commiserate, or (preferably, lol) tell me you experienced something similar and all ended well. (If, on the other hand you're annoyed that I'm mostly venting and not really asking a question, sorry n' stuff).
Ok, so... My issue is with Australia Post.
A customer in the US asked for a bulk order for one of my items ($140 value after bulk discount), which was required for an upcoming event they were hosting. I posted the order via express courier international, 2-4 days delivery time quoted on APs website ($55-odd P&H, $10 extra cover on $100).
Item posted 24th February, left the country 26th February, then..... nothing.
By the 4th of March, both the customer and I were very concerned, so an inquiry was lodged, first online as it was a Friday evening, but then I called the following Monday morning, by this stage, the package had been in transit for nearly 2 weeks. No information, no further tracking, so I said to the rep, given the amount of time that has passed, and based on your experience, how likely is it that the package will eventually turn up and be delivered to my customer. She replied that it was very unlikely, consulted with a colleague while I listened on the phone, and the exact words used were "they won't get it".
Ultimately, they kept the inquiry open, putting a resolution deadline of 24th March, after which point the package would be officially lost and compensation payable. (I bet you can see where this is going now 
).
I related all of this info to the customer and offered 3 options (resend express, resend standard and refund the extra for express, or full refund), they opted to wait until the 17th just in case, and when that date arrived with still no further updates, asked for a refund, which I promptly issued in full, thinking at least I'd get most of it back after the 24th...
Cut to today, 4pm and an email arrives in my inbox....
Aus Post are pleased to inform me that my package has arrived in the US and delivery attempted (yesterday). Oh, and in future, I can subscribe to email alerts so I can be kept up to date on the progress of a package and (presumably) not hassle them as to the whereabouts of said packages.
I know I was looking for a legitimate reason to use this smiley, but I wanted to be amused by it, not actually feel like this:
(I guess if I have one question, it would be - has anyone ever got their money back for postage at least, from AP in similar circumstances? They closed the case, but I sent a message back saying this is so not resolved, and request the cost back in full).
Thanks, they seemed pretty genuine so I just hope they will reply and either refuse delivery (RTS), or if they still want the stuff, be willing to repay (not the postage, I wouldn't ask them for that, just the item price, probably with a discount).
The thing is, yesterday was Good Friday, I had no idea USPS would have been working. They're quite dedicated when it's a missing package, perhaps, especially since if it hadn't been found, AP would have been up for about $150 in compensation. 
@audio-spot wrote:Apparently the US do not observe a public holiday for Good Friday like we do here.
Facts ruining another good conspiracy theory, dagnabbit!
I managed to cobble together a message that was hopefully not too depserate and pleading, 
and from my dealings with them so far, I remain hopeful.
@digital*ghost wrote:
@audio-spot wrote:Apparently the US do not observe a public holiday for Good Friday like we do here.
Facts ruining another good conspiracy theory, dagnabbit!
I managed to cobble together a message that was hopefully not too depserate and pleading,
Because of time differences it would of been Thursday 24th in the US
I hope you at least get the item money back IMHO AusPost should, out of common decency, payout on this one as it was 100% their fault not that they are likely to though. I find it funny how AusPost squeezes every holiday they can but make sure they have someone there to email you so they do not have to pay out
@247newdeals wrote:Because of time differences it would of been Thursday 24th in the US
It's actually the USPS site that shows the item appeared back in the system earlier today (Saturday here, Friday there), my choice of words was bad, though - Friday is yesterday to me. It just seemed awfully convenient for AP that suddenly it's found in the final hour, and decidedly the most inconvenient (and possibly costly) turn of events for me. >_>
@tippy, I do have a My Post account and card, but I'm pretty lazy with it. At this point in time, though, AP can try to blame anyone they want, all that matters to me is that I / we didn't get the service that was paid for, so I'll go to the PIO if I have to. Although I don't feel the need to justify (to Aus Post) my demand for a refund, I've spent thousands with them over the years, had my fair share of missing parcels and even a few late (domestic) express parcels and never once insisted on compensation before, this one I'm not prepared to let go.
@digital*ghost wrote:
I do have a My Post account and card, but I'm pretty lazy with it.
It's funny you should say that. I was talking to my local postmaster the other day and he said when My Post was first introduced, hundreds upon hundreds of people signed up at my local. I'm one of only 6 or 7 people that actually use it at that PO! It certainly has its place for both eBay buyer and sellers.
It can be useful for a lot of buyers because they can access parcel lockers (which are only in the city), or parcel collect. Parcel collect means all their parcels are sent to the PO or agency of their choice and they are sent an sms, an email, or both when their parcel is ready for collection. It's especially good for those that live in units where parcels might be left unattended, or people like me where pedestrians can just walk in and snatch stuff from the front door (which has happened).
It's also useful for buyers who work, they can have it sent to the PO closest to their work place. It doesn't have to be their local, it can be any PO in the country.
