Problem with a vendor

[seaurchin]

I ordered a yellow zircon from grandgemstones. I had it sent to my post office box at my local post office. I was so happy to see it marked "delivered," on ebay.

Well, apparently "delivered" on ebay is not the same as "delivered" to my post office box, which is of course what counts.

According to the USPS tracking information (which I was also told in person when I went to the post office to check) the seller did not include the post office box number on the package, (though it's clearly documented, even by the seller, that I gave him the correct and full address). Because of this mistake on the seller's part, the post office returned the package to the seller instead of actually putting it into my post office box.

The seller is in a foreign country and I don't trust their mail system because I have no idea how reliable it is. I believe it was marked "Nevada" so I'm not even sure what country grandgemstones is in, though I could probably find out. International shipping is also very slow. Anyway, I requested to just pick out a different stone, rather than wait for the seller to get it back and try sending it again.

The response I got from the seller was just... nonsensical. I explained the situation several times and several times he just insisted that he put the address on the package as instructed by the buyer. However, according to the USPS that is NOT what was on the actual package. He kept insisting that I needed to give him the "correct address." I just couldn't get anywhere with him.

I soon realized I didn't want to deal with this seller any more and requested a refund instead of my earlier offer to pick out a different stone. The seller threatened to open a case against me on ebay, (though I have no idea what the basis for a case against me could possibly be).

It might well be a language barrier issue but even if it is, I've just had enough now and I want a refund (It's a bit under $600 total).

So then I contacted ebay but going by the email I got back, I don't think I reached an actual person. They/it did not seem to understand that just because ebay marked it as "delivered" does not mean it WAS delivered. It was delivered to my post office, who returned it rather than putting it into my box. I never even saw it. Ebay sent me an automated reply from a "do not respond" address about how I should look around my property for the package etc. and how I could not proceed further for three days.

I was hoping to just get it over with but nope.

Just a heads up I guess, in case it helps anyone else.

 

[glitterata]

I ordered a yellow zircon from grandgemstones. I had it sent to my post office box at my local post office. I was so happy to see it marked "delivered," on ebay.

Well, apparently "delivered" on ebay is not the same as "delivered" to my post office box, which is of course what counts.

According to the USPS tracking information (which I was also told in person when I went to the post office to check) the seller did not include the post office box number on the package, (though it's clearly documented, even by the seller, that I gave him the correct and full address). Because of this mistake on the seller's part, the post office returned the package to the seller instead of actually putting it into my post office box.

The seller is in a foreign country and I don't trust their mail system because I have no idea how reliable it is. I believe it was marked "Nevada" so I'm not even sure what country grandgemstones is in, though I could probably find out. International shipping is also very slow. Anyway, I requested to just pick out a different stone, rather than wait for the seller to get it back and try sending it again.

The response I got from the seller was just... nonsensical. I explained the situation several times and several times he just insisted that he put the address on the package as instructed by the buyer. However, according to the USPS that is NOT what was on the actual package. He kept insisting that I needed to give him the "correct address." I just couldn't get anywhere with him.

I soon realized I didn't want to deal with this seller any more and requested a refund instead of my earlier offer to pick out a different stone. The seller threatened to open a case against me on ebay, (though I have no idea what the basis for a case against me could possibly be).

It might well be a language barrier issue but even if it is, I've just had enough now and I want a refund (It's a bit under $600 total).

So then I contacted ebay but going by the email I got back, I don't think I reached an actual person. They/it did not seem to understand that just because ebay marked it as "delivered" does not mean it WAS delivered. It was delivered to my post office, who returned it rather than putting it into my box. I never even saw it. Ebay sent me an automated reply from a "do not respond" address about how I should look around my property for the package etc. and how I could not proceed further for three days.

I was hoping to just get it over with but nope.

Just a heads up I guess, in case it helps anyone else.

I had a bad experience where an ebay package went missing. It was marked as delivered but was not actually in my mailbox. After a lengthy, frustrating experience with automated robot responses on ebay, I eventually was able to contact a person at ebay through twitter. I eventually got my money back. Good luck!

 

[missy]

Ugh sorry this happened @seaurchin and I hope you can get it resolved successfully soon...if you cannot reach or communicate clearly with the seller so they understand exactly what happened can you call your credit card company? Or whatever method you used to pay?

 

[LightBright]

I’ve had missing or “Where’s Waldo” USPS packages many times.

Once I had USPS show me the photo of a missing delivered package on my front steps but it somehow made its way back to the Post Office! Etc.

Two ideas that helped me:
1) go down to post office in person and talk to the people in charge of sorting packages in the warehouse before the mail gets to your house. Ask them to check in the back. Ask them to personally intercept your mail carrier to ask if they recall what happened and where the package is. This has worked multiple times for me.

NOTE - I see you’ve already done that and your situation involves a PO Box, but it might help to do it again. Does your EBay tracker show that the POBox was actually omitted? Is your address on EBay correct and Sender is at fault for not putting your PO Box on the label? This sounds impossible to do without intent. Does your actual USPS Tracker show correct PO Box? Figure out where the PO Box was dropped in the chain of command…

If in-person inquiries at USPS don’t work, then:

2) Call your credit card company and make a claim. Don’t wait for any resolution from EBay or seller. I got my money back from my CC after my Etsy claim was outright rejected. Don’t waste your time. Make a claim to your credit card company.

Good luck. I’m really sorry this happened!

 

[stracci2000]

This all terrifies me.
My days of mail order jewelry/gems are officially over. Unless it's a trusted vendor or PSer.

If I want something, I'll have to find it locally.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I ordered a yellow zircon from grandgemstones. I had it sent to my post office box at my local post office. I was so happy to see it marked "delivered," on ebay.

Well, apparently "delivered" on ebay is not the same as "delivered" to my post office box, which is of course what counts.

According to the USPS tracking information (which I was also told in person when I went to the post office to check) the seller did not include the post office box number on the package, (though it's clearly documented, even by the seller, that I gave him the correct and full address). Because of this mistake on the seller's part, the post office returned the package to the seller instead of actually putting it into my post office box.

The seller is in a foreign country and I don't trust their mail system because I have no idea how reliable it is. I believe it was marked "Nevada" so I'm not even sure what country grandgemstones is in, though I could probably find out. International shipping is also very slow. Anyway, I requested to just pick out a different stone, rather than wait for the seller to get it back and try sending it again.

The response I got from the seller was just... nonsensical. I explained the situation several times and several times he just insisted that he put the address on the package as instructed by the buyer. However, according to the USPS that is NOT what was on the actual package. He kept insisting that I needed to give him the "correct address." I just couldn't get anywhere with him.

I soon realized I didn't want to deal with this seller any more and requested a refund instead of my earlier offer to pick out a different stone. The seller threatened to open a case against me on ebay, (though I have no idea what the basis for a case against me could possibly be).

It might well be a language barrier issue but even if it is, I've just had enough now and I want a refund (It's a bit under $600 total).

So then I contacted ebay but going by the email I got back, I don't think I reached an actual person. They/it did not seem to understand that just because ebay marked it as "delivered" does not mean it WAS delivered. It was delivered to my post office, who returned it rather than putting it into my box. I never even saw it. Ebay sent me an automated reply from a "do not respond" address about how I should look around my property for the package etc. and how I could not proceed further for three days.

I was hoping to just get it over with but nope.

Just a heads up I guess, in case it helps anyone else.

Ok, so you need to go to the ebay help center and request a phone call. Don't deal in emails or chats. They call you almost immediately. Ebay is very buyer oriented (I know this as a seller, lol). Explain what happened and they WILL assist. They will direct you to open a case, but I would speak to them first, because you only have one shot at winning the case, and they will make notes on it for you.

Also, please ask the seller for a copy of the label. That will clearly indicate whether he listed the PO box or not, and you can use it as "evidence" in your ebay case. Have a screenshot ready that shows you provided the correct address. Again... evidence.

Now, regardless of whether he put the correct/full address on the label, the PO has returned the package to him (how lazy, instead of simply looking up your name ). None of this is your fault. You must get something in writing from them which states this. Take a look at this page. If you submit a help request, it should come back with the return-to-sender info. Again, you will use this for your ebay case.

Please do NOT give up! I hate to see folks get taken, whether accidental or not. I'm so sorry for the aggravation... we've all been there!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I’ve had missing or “Where’s Waldo” USPS packages many times.

Once I had USPS show me the photo of a missing delivered package on my front steps but it somehow made its way back to the Post Office! Etc.

Two ideas that helped me:
1) go down to post office in person and talk to the people in charge of sorting packages in the warehouse before the mail gets to your house. Ask them to check in the back. Ask them to personally intercept your mail carrier to ask if they recall what happened and where the package is. This has worked multiple times for me.

NOTE - I see you’ve already done that and your situation involves a PO Box, but it might help to do it again. Does your EBay tracker show that the POBox was actually omitted? Is your address on EBay correct and Sender is at fault for not putting your PO Box on the label? This sounds impossible to do without intent. Does your actual USPS Tracker show correct PO Box? Figure out where the PO Box was dropped in the chain of command…

If in-person inquiries at USPS don’t work, then:

2) Call your credit card company and make a claim. Don’t wait for any resolution from EBay or seller. I got my money back from my CC after my Etsy claim was outright rejected. Don’t waste your time. Make a claim to your credit card company.

Good luck. I’m really sorry this happened!

This is also great advice, OP!