Lost $200 worth in pins because of USPS :((((

So I traded with someone through Facebook and I got their pins rather quickly since we live in the same county. I assumed they got their's too but the trader messaged me saying nothing has shown up yet. I checked the tracking # and USPS claims it hasn't received my package yet. It says I have only created the shipping label. It's been about a week since shipping out and no updates on the tracking yet and I'm so upset. I know I sent out the pins because the 3 other packages that went with it were delivered smoothly and in a timely manner.

I went to the post office to see if they could be of any help and they basically just scolded me. They said it is not in their control if it was placed in their dropbox and not in their hands...They also said it will probably show up as long as the address is valid but doesn't know when that would be...

So at this point, the tracking numbers says I received my promised pins but never sent out mine. I'm going to do the right thing and give their pin back because I would want someone to do the same for me if the situation was flipped. In the end, I am out of approximately $200 worth of pins because USPS placed my package somewhere and didn't scan the tracking.

I just hope that if the pins do show up at the trader's house eventually, that the trader would notify me and make it right...For now, I have learned a hard lesson in never using dropboxes again and making sure packages are scanned in front of my eyes. Also maybe to get insurance...I just didn't think it would be needed since the trader and I live in the same county. I thought wrong I suppose.

Just had to share my sad story and hopefully I can update this thread with good news in the near or far future. I take the loss currently but learn from my mistakes, y'all!!

 

I hope it shows up for you. When I drop a package, I have the Post Office scan it and give me a receipt before I leave.

 

Keeping my fingers crossed everything works out and the pins get delivered and the trade can go through.


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I'm so sorry this has happened. I hope they eventually show up

 

I need to start doing that. Our PO just has you put it on the counter.

 

...a VERY SCARY scenario.

One which I have had some experience with.

Have you called the USPS Customer Service line and reported this to them?

Reason I'm asking is because I was involved in a similar incident. The seller contacted them with the info, and both he and I stayed on top of the case.

It took some effort, but in the end, the package arrived at my home safe and sound.

It's worth a try.

In the meantime, I will be thinking positive thoughts for you.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We can't be too carefully mailing out our pins.

 

I'm so sorry! I hope the package turns up; you never know! It's gotta be out there SOMEWHERE.

Whenever you're mailing pins with such high value, it's always best to pay that extra few dollars for insurance. And as annoying as it is to actually go to the post office (mine never fails to have a huge line and is always like 90 degrees), it's worth it to see them scan it and have that peace of mind. Still, don't be too hard on yourself - ultimately it wasn't your fault, it was sloppiness on USPS' behalf (or some thief, although hopefully that's not the case!)

Again, I really hope things work out! You did the right thing by sending the other person's pins back, and that pin karma will eventually catch up with you - if not by returning your lost pins, then by rewarding you in some other way. <3

 

I can sympathize with your ire at the postal service. While I do love my local postal workers, sometimes the postal system in general frustrates me. I mailed a package over Easter Break, and the tracking claimed it was delivered 30 miles from my house in Louisiana instead of California. The other trader and I were in communication, and I was planning to return his pin since the pin I sent was delivered to the wrong address very close to me. We waited a week and my post office was great at contacting the other post office's post master. They kept me informed of the progress in searching for it.

The pin did make its way to California so it all worked out. Currently I have a pin I mailed last Tuesday that says delayed when it was received last Friday. Who knows with the postal service sometimes.

Fingers crossed it turns up.

 

Yes, I realize how important this step is now. My lazy butt just hates getting out of the car and walking into the actual office but its worth it now knowing what happens when I don't... Thank you for the kind wishes!

 

The postal system can work in such questionable ways. I wish I understood it in its entirety but I am glad your shipment was all sorted out. Gives me hope!

 

No problem. Sharing these situations will help others feel the need to take extra precaution. I would hate to see this happen again in the community.

As for calling customer service, I did try but it was rather difficult to get to a real person. I am going to try again soon though! Thank you for the tips and sharing your experience as well

 

It has to be SOMEWHERE as you say, right? How can things just disappear in the system, if not stolen? I will always get it scanned personally now. And thank you for the kind words. I just can't imagine what the other person feels when their pins haven't arrived and tracking hasn't updated..Totally looks bad but I am grateful they believe me and have had the patience to wait this past week for updates.

 

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I will keep you all updated.

 

Yes, please call the 800 number and report it!

 

There is also an online form available at www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm .

 

Little envelopes often get put somewhere and then forgotten about for days. This happened to something I bought, spent like 3 days sitting somewhere even though it was priority!

It might still be stuck in the box far as we know! Hopefully it all works out.

Also the subreddit for USPS was actually surprisingly helpful for explaining how everything works there and what certain updates mean. Also it has funny mailman memes, lmao.

 

Sadly I think many of us have had a learning experience of our own. My post office always tells me I can use the dropbox instead of waiting in line, and I always tell them I would like a receipt.

Another possible way to move things along for you is to maybe ask for a refund on your shipping label, they claim you didn't use it so you should be reimbursed. That way maybe they will actually see it was scanned somewhere in their investigation. Just a thought.

 

So sorry to hear this! After having been there and done that, I drop them at the post office and get a receipt. I hope the package shows up!

 

I think your honesty and communication was the key. People who steal pins tend to "go away and never come back".

 

Wow, bottom line: This sucks and I'm sorry for you.

Keep the tracking number and check it periodically. You'll know if the package is delivered. Hopefully the recipient will be honest, but you still have a way to check! And there is always the chance that the package just missed every single scan in between and then will show up as Delivered (legitimately delivered).

Unfortunately, I have heard of this happening many times, with packages disappearing. It seems to be a particular issue in California; I always wonder if someone out there knows what pin mail is and deliberately helps him/herself to the parcels. But after being on the (non)receiving end of one or two packages, I learned to do what has already been mentioned: Get MY packages scanned and get a receipt for proof of mailing. In a trade, it's unfortunate to lose a package--but if you sell anything, you need to prove that you mailed the package to prevent eBay/PayPal from penalizing you. If the USPS loses the package, PayPal will compensate the buyer without penalizing the seller--but if you can't prove that you mailed the package, they'll ding you.

As far as USPS customer service ... start with your local PO. Call them and explain the situation and see what they can do to look up your tracking #. They probably won't be able to tell you much, but the only way to get a real human being is to go local. The automated system (800 #) gets you nowhere but frustrated. (One time, after screaming various things into the phone, I did get connected to a live person. Unfortunately, by that point, I didn't know what the magic word was that triggered this response, so I haven't been able to replicate the experience.) ALSO: EVEN IF IT'S HARD BE SUPER POLITE. The PO workers (deservedly or otherwise) get yelled at all day, ha, so I've found that if I'm super nice and understanding and acknowledge how busy they are and the high volume of mail they deal with (blah blah blah), they are much more likely to TRY to help. (I know you started there, but honestly, act like you've never talked to them before. They won't remember; you're just another person who yelled. HA.)

 

In my experience the tracking with the post office is unreliable at best. I've had tracking labeled that the post office hadn't received the package and it's out for delivery a few days later.

The worst thing to happen to me was when I first got into pin trading. I traded an Ariel pin, worth about 50, for a Belle pin (worth the same) and didn't bother getting tracking on the pin. The person I was trading with claimed they never got the pin but they ended up putting it on their trade list. I sent their pin back even though I suspected they were lying.

 

After this happened to me the first time, I ALWAYS insure packages that are worth about $80 or more, and ask the person I am trading with to do the same.

So sorry this happened!

 

I am sorry this happened to you too!!

 

Omg that's terrible I am really hoping that does not happen to me. I believe karma will come around and they will get what they deserve for being dishonest