Hi ladies,
I sold a $4k BNWT Chanel bag to an eBay buyer over the 4th of July weekend and shipped it out yesterday afternoon, Monday 7/6 (3:08 pm per my receipt). Buyer and I are both in NY.
The package was successfully delivered by USPS and & signed for today, Tuesday 7/7 (USPS online signature confirmation shows the recipient signature, at 12:49 pm) -- i.e. less than 24 hours after package was accepted at the post office.
I still have the USPS mailing receipt in front of me showing the package weighed 3 lb. 14.20 oz.
This evening at 6:34 pm I get the following email from the buyer which just shocks me to my bones:
Hey,
I just came home from work to find your package
waiting for me. I opened it up and the only thing
inside is some tissue paper and the purse box. I
really do not know what to think here. There is no
purse, no dustbag, nothing besides the tissue
paper and box. After taking the purse box out of
the box you shipped in I saw that the tape along
the bottom is slashed. One side of the bottom is
completely open while the other is still taped
shut. There is also a gash on the front of the
box.
I tried to call my local PO but of course they are
closed. I have never been in this situation and
honestly I am trying to remain calm but am really
freaking out. This is a lot of money here. Should
we open up an insurance claim? I have no idea what
to do. Please let me know your thoughts on this
situation and what you think we can do to take the
next step.
My mind is just spinning right now and I wonder if this is a $4k scam unfolding before eyes.....in this economy, a $4k scam is beyond what I can take. I've been selling on eBay for 5+ years (Gold PowerSeller, perfect feedback) and most of my sales are very high-value items and NEVER have I encountered this type of a scenario. This is literally a seller's worst nightmare coming true.
Especially suspicious is the fact that the package hasn't even left my possession for over 24 hours......what are the chances of a USPS internal/postal worker theft taking place during this brief period of time? The package was nearly 4 lbs. per my post office receipt, yet the buyer is claiming an empty box with tissue paper? If the box arrived with the tape all slashed open and "one side of the bottom is completely open" why the hell would they sign for it?
I am just beyond incensed right now......thankfully the buyer did not pay by PayPal so I guess they can't pull an immediate INR/SNAD/those types of disputes to freeze my funds.
Any one dealt with this type of scenario before? If it's indeed a situation of USPS internal tampering/postal worker theft, isn't it a federal crime? How does one approach the post office about this? I've used my local post office for years (shipping thousand-dollar packages) and they know me and my family and everyone there has been extremely nice and helpful.....I just can't fathom someone there tampering with a package I'm sending out. Really don't know what to think of right now.