Who is responsible for cost of item lost by post office? Buyer or Seller?

Question

I recently sold some items to someone and mailed them via U.S. Mail. The buyer purchased the items for $100. About a week after I mailed the items, I received a form from the post office saying that the package was lost. Included were neatly cut parts of box I shipped it in. It did not look as if the box was destroyed and i know i secured it properly.

I already accepted the funds from the buyer. I'm not a ebay seller or anything, I just happened to resell some some things. Is the buyer owed a refund?

Answer 1

The transaction is not complete until the goods are in the buyer's hands.  I know on EBay sellers make insurance optional, at the buyer's discretion and at the buyer's expense.  But from a business point of view, the seller is responsible for shipping/delivery unless agreed otherwise.

Answer 2

As a former Postal Supervisor I can tell you that unless you insured that package you are going to be the one who is going to have pay the buyer their funds back.  You accepted the funds before the buyer received the package.  If you were smart you would have insured the package.  The Post Office is absolutely not liable unless you insured the package.  BUT....since they did send you a form...and you do have neatly cut pieces of the box (which is weird if they say the box was "lost" I would march down to the Post Office and see what they say...if you have original receipts of purchase for the item you were sending that is what they will need.  But it does seem odd that they had "neatly cut pieces" of a "lost" box.  Either call or go to the Post Office.  Next time Insure it!!

Good Luck!!

Peace & Love :)

Answer 3

I would say the buyer deserves a refund, because as the seller, you arranged the shipping.

If the buyer's payment had gotten lost in the mail, I'm sure you wouldn't have gone ahead and sent the items.....even if the buyer had proof that he or she had tried to get the payment to you.

Answer 4

I would say it is the seller's fault.  You did not guarantee that it arrived to the buyer.  Plus, the person who SHIPS the package is the one who must purchase insurance on the contents of that package.  If you want your money back, you can ask the post office to launch an investigation into this matter.  Sound shady.

Answer 5

You should have insured a package worth that much.  Even though it is not your 'fault', you need to send the buyer their money back as you did not deliver the goods they paid for.  Then take it up with the post office and try to get the value of the item you sent back. You obviously have proof that the package was damaged, but you may have trouble proving exactly what was in the package and that it was worth $100.