Packages lost by destination country postal service

[djh_25]

Hi everyone,

Australian seller here. I sold an item to a buyer in the US on 19 December, posted it the same day and uploaded tracking. Tracking info says delivery was attempted on 4 January, but was unsuccessful due to the business being closed. Tracking said delivery would be attempted next business day, however there's been nothing since, and it is now 14 January.

As a courtesy I emailed the buyer to check in, and suggest they contact USPS to get them to investigate. The buyer, who is currently away, has come back and said they lodged a missing package case and USPS has said, more-or-less, "sorry we've lost it." This is more disappointing because on the customs form I had checked "if undeliverable return to sender". 

I've never had this problem before. What happens in a situation where the destination country's postal service just loses an item? I empathise with the buyer not receiving the item, but on the flip-side, I have done everything right, have lost the item as well and cannot resell it.

Any help, advice or experiences appreciated. 

Cheers

[padi*0409]

It's likely to be on it's way back to you after the second non-delivery, but it'll probably come back by the cheapest means possible.

Not much to worry about unless the buyer opens an INR which you would probably win anyway.

[springyzone]

I can't help with telling you how you'd go if an ebay claim is opened for item not received.

On the one hand, you did all the right things and can show it was sent and delivery attempted.

On the other hand, the buyer can prove they never got the item.

I would hope that as delivery was attempted and failed, that you would win.

But in this situation, if the buyer opened a claim and I as seller won, I would contact the buyer and say that it was possible the item may eventually be returned to sender and if that happened, I would be letting them know and I would then refund the cost of the item (minus postage & fees).