Tracking a package ( UPS, FedEx, USPS )
 

I have been shipping items all over the US for many years now.

Never any problems.

I have a 30# carton still undelivered after 11 days.
The status, using the tracking number shows it is still nearby, same as the first day after it was picked up.

What should I do?
What happens if it is lost?

It's a moderately valuable car part en route to NY.


KT

1) Contact the person who is expecting shipment and notify them there is an issue and you will get back to them after you contact the shipper and find out what the problem is

2) Contact the shipper and find out what the problem is

3) Continue to keep the recipient in the loop as appropriate

The buyer brought this to my attention today.
I assumed it was delivered last Thursday as estimated.

I'll make a call tomorrow.


KT

So it looks like the package may be lost.

They are supposed to know for sure by Friday.

If they find it they are supposed to return it to me.
Why would they just deliver it?!?

If it is gone, they will refund the shipping fees plus $100.
Not sure what to do, as the part was worth $200. ( not insured )

Of course, I will refund the buyer's money in full if they lost it.


KT

Who was the shipper?

UPS

I've never had any problems with them, before.


KT

did you or the buyer assume responsibility for the shipment?

- this is an old legal thing that people have dealt with for a long long time - the terms FOB means Free on Board (i.e. it is sitting on the sailing ship and it's yours, so come get it)

next time... insurance

I have always assumed responsibility and will take the loss if the part is gone.

I wonder what insurance would have been?


KT

I thought UPS insured all parcels automatically up to a certain value...

I did. ( see post #4 )


KT

Couple bucks.

FedEx insures automatically to $100 unless you declare more; so I'd check into what UPS does, it's gotta be similar.

I think the insurance thing is a scam.

They are betting they won't destroy or lose you package.
Why should I have to pay extra to protect myself from their service?

Then there is the whole, proving what you shipped had value...


KT

ups insurance is so cheap. crazy not to use it. i think it is 25 cents for every $100 insured...something like that. if it is a scam it is a bargain of a scam. not sure of price but it is really cheap..maybe 45 cents..it was cents!!

saved me and seahawk a whole messy hell when they destroyed something he sent to me.

i buy more than i sell. i typically split shipping with the buyer including insurance cost.

Lesson learned...

If the insurance is so cheap why do they even charge for it?


KT

Well, you're going to learn all about it right now. Congrats.

Declare a value. Always.

Am I the only one that doesn't insure?


KT

maybe.

when i sent a rifle to be repaired..i looked to the sky and pulled a high number out of my butt and insured it for that. cost me $5, and if they lost it..i would have made money.

you would be done right now if you bought insurance. sent a refund back to the buyer, and gotten paid for (i would have declared actual sale price) the item from the shipping company.

for small items, i LOVE USPS. i print the shipping label from home, pay for it (they give you a discount by doing it all online)..declare a value, wrap it up and hand it to the mailman at the office. done. they give you free online tracking. you can see it go from office to office and get an email notification when it is delivered. as a seller you HAVE to do this. for all you know the buyer already got the item and is scamming you buy saying it never showed.

UPS gives free $100 insurance. USPS does not, the insurance is cheap and you should calculate it into the costs, eat it or ask the buyer to spring for it.

If lost OR damaged, the first thing they do is ask "who packaged" it.....damaged shipments they always try to blame the shipper for inadequate packing.

Personally, I wouldn't ship something uninsured unless the buyer specifically requested it to save money (or perhaps lower the declared value for customs), in which case it's their loss if it gets lost. I always ship by Canada Post/USPS - it's half the price of fedex, and almost as quick. UPS in Canada is brutal - I won't touch them. Insurance with regular parcel mail is I think $2 per $100 of value, so even on a $500 package it's only $10.

I always insure as a seller. I will cover up to $500 and will ask the buyer to do so if the item is worth more than $500.

As a buyer, I always ask for insurance. If a package is truly lost or destroyed, I'm not out money in either case.