Who's responsible? (Stolen package)

[AgentEL]

I ordered a text book from a seller at half.com. Yesterday, I received an empty envelope (12"x14") on my doorstep. The envelope had been open at the top and no book inside. I don't really suspect that someone took it from my house because it is a relatively safe neighborhood. If so, why would they just leave the envelope?

My questions is: who do I complain to? Is it the seller's responsibility? Is it half.com's responsibility? Is it the USPS' responsibility?

Or am I just out of luck?

More info: I didn't buy insurance. No insurance offered. Book cost ~$30.

 

[minendo]

Seller is responsible to deliver the goods promised in the condition promised.

More info: I didn't buy insurance. Book cost ~$30.

Was insurance offered?

 

[Tom]

Was it a heavy book ? Could it have come out of the envelope during handling at the post office ?

if so you should contact the post office, they may your book somewhere and they have some facility to trace all mail although it's limited.

 

[AgentEL]

Originally posted by: Dead Parrot Sketch
Was it a heavy book ? Could it have come out of the envelope during handling at the post office ?

if so you should contact the post office, they may your book somewhere and they have some facility to trace all mail although it's limited.

That's a good idea, but the envelope was obviously cut along the opening. It looks like someone used a knife to open it.

 

[Drakkon]

well if the PO delivery dood was stupid enough to deliver a package like that its their fault...
if he left it on your doorstep its no ones fault its a stolen item...call the police...report a stolen item.
if it was stolen i say your out the $30...insurance or not once its on your property i say its your responsibility.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Drakkon
well if the PO delivery dood was stupid enough to deliver a package like that its their fault...

They make deliveries like this everyday. They have no idea if that was the way it was sent or not.

 

[Yax]

Talking to the Seller or post office will get you no where. (I chose other, btw). They'll point fingers at each other till you give up.

The best thing is (hopefully you were smart enough to use a CREDIT CARD). Wait for your credit card bill, then send a dispute letter to the credit card company for the charge. State, non delivery of goods as your reason. Explain that you never received the item. Make sure the letter is sent certified with a return receipt. The get on the Internet and look up your rights and the CC's responsibilities. Let the credit card company handle it from there. That works really well. If they call you, just say you never received the goods.

If you didn't buy with your CC, you're out of luck.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Talking to the Seller or post office will get you no where. (I chose other, btw). They'll point fingers at each other till you give up.

The best thing is (hopefully you were smart enough to use a CREDIT CARD). Wait for your credit card bill, then send a dispute letter to the credit card company for the charge. State, non delivery of goods as your reason. Explain that you never received the item. Make sure the letter is sent certified with a return receipt. The get on the Internet and look up your rights and the CC's responsibilities. Let the credit card company handle it from there. That works really well. If they call you, just say you never received the goods.

If you didn't buy with your CC, you're out of luck.

I think this is the best course of action. Obviously the guy DID mail it.. but someone stole it right out of the envelope. Dispute the charge with the credit card company and tell them you never received the item.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: TwinkleToes77

Originally posted by: cheapbidder01
Talking to the Seller or post office will get you no where. (I chose other, btw). They'll point fingers at each other till you give up.

The best thing is (hopefully you were smart enough to use a CREDIT CARD). Wait for your credit card bill, then send a dispute letter to the credit card company for the charge. State, non delivery of goods as your reason. Explain that you never received the item. Make sure the letter is sent certified with a return receipt. The get on the Internet and look up your rights and the CC's responsibilities. Let the credit card company handle it from there. That works really well. If they call you, just say you never received the goods.

If you didn't buy with your CC, you're out of luck.

I think this is the best course of action. Obviously the guy DID mail it.. but someone stole it right out of the envelope. Dispute the charge with the credit card company and tell them you never received the item.

Until the guy turns around and says that he sent it and proves so with some sort of tracking number.

 

[SKC]

I have the exact same problem, except I bought from amazon.com's used book section. Bump for any more advice; I want to use amazon's A-Z guarantee as a last resort.

 

[Tom]

i guess that legally speaking once the post office leaves it at your house it belongs to you, and if someone steals it it's no different than if they stole a flower pot off your porch.

Unless you specifically tell delivery services not to leave stuff, with a sign maybe, or the sender tells them not to, then it isn't the delivery service's problem that you aren't home.

 

[PanzerIV]

I think at this point the seller is absolved from responsibility because he did apparently actually ship it. Now it's between you and the Post Office or do as was mentioned and contact your credit card company if you did in fact use one.

 

[Graphicd00d]

In my experience with packages delivered by USPS, the post office usually leaves a note saying they came by to deliver a package but I wasn't home so they took it back to the post office for me to pick it up at a later date.

So it might be the USPS fault for not leaving a package with someone to sign for.

 

[kroq]

USPS does not deliver packagses w/o content. If the content is lost or package is damaged during handling, transit, they'll put in a bag and deliver the salvage and state the facts.


Seller did in deed ship his product. Unless he had applied postage to the package himself, dropped the thing off in an outgoing mailbox without a return address, post offices WILL NEVER accept a package that's open, WITH OR WITHOUT content. It's in the postal regulations.


So most likely, someone had stolen the book off your porch and left the envelope. CC is your only and last resort, good luck.


P.S. I'd also try to contact the delivery guy and ask him personally if he delivered an opened envelope. (which isn't the case in my opinion, but if he did he'd certainly remember. I know they deliver thousands pieces of mails everyday, but they are amazing. I live in a huge apartment complex (1000+ units next to my college campus) and every time I stop the mailman asking about something, they'd know what the last names are for my apartment unit off of their head. Crazy huh)

 

[kroq]

Another thing, USPS does not reimburse you for a lost item even due to their fault, unless it is insured. Unless you can prove them to be negligent, which will probably cost you a lot more than your item's worth.

 

[Nocturnal]

That sucks, big time. USPS workers have stolen numerous things of mine that have been shipped to me. I know you should not send money in an envelope but my mother insists on doing just that. She hit id VERY well inside a box with all kinds of clothes and other items that she sent over to me. It was in the middle of the box and could not be seen if you just opened the box up. When I got the box, the cards were on the top, ripped open with all money stolen. It totally sucks and I hope that they catch the guy cuz that's truly a sad thing.

Oh yeah, for those of you who may ask how do I know a USPS worker stole the item, well, the delivery man tried to delivery it, however, it had insurance on it therefore it required a signature. The mail man could not obtain a signature so he took it back to the PO. While it was in the PO, the theft occured.

 

[fs5]

kroq: do you work for USPS?

 

[BassDominator]

Looks like you're out of luck unless the seller insured the package. Have had the same problem with USPS many times.... especially packages containing cell phones or accessories.