Need help - two different trades, both packages missing.

[tarthrin]

I need some help and/or advice.

Basically, I have two, nearly identical, trades that are active.

Trade A:
I paid cash for some models
got the package and some stuff was missing
contacted the seller and he apologized and indicated he would send the missing items

Trade B:
I paid cash for some models
got the package and some stuff was missing
contacted the seller and he apologized and indicated he would send the missing items

Some time after that I got a USPS notice left on my door that said the package could not be left because there was $0.75 postage due, and that I would have to go to the post office to get it.

Later that week I went to the post office to retrieve said package, and the postal workers could not find it. They made a copy of the USPS notice and took down my cell phone number and said they'd call me when they found it.


So...
I have not received either followup package from trade A or B
Trade A is a new trader (less than 20 rating) , and Trade B is a veteran trader (200+ rating)
I only received a USPS notice for one package, which currently cannot be found
It seems like one of the traders sent a package, but the other one did not, but I have no way of knowing which it was.

What to do about the lost post office package with the postage due?
Technically it is not the trader's fault that the post office lost it, but they are at fault for insufficient postage in the first place.

What to do about the second package that I have not heard or seen anything for?
I don't know which trader it was, and they haven't given me a tracking number or anything.

[starslayer]

Its not your fault, its theirs. If they dont have a tracking #, there is no proof it was sent. Always use a tracking #. Always.
I would contact them & ask for proof they sent. They need to make good.

[tarthrin]

I have been keeping them apprised of the situation with the postage due and subsequent lost package. However, neither of them seem to know if their package is the one with the postage due or not...

I contacted them both again to see if they had any tracking or other info on their shipments, and am awaiting an answer.

[kturock]

If they didn't get insurance, which is now free ($50 worth) if they mail priority mail, then they're at fault.
Also, tracking, delivery confirmation, is now free for Priority Mail or Standard Mail. It's .90 if the package was mailed 1st class.

There's no reason to not have tracking or insurance. The experieinced trader should know better.