Package got stolen.

[Etsim]

Hi,

Ive sent a package to someone in the states. They left it on his porch on october 31. when he came back from work, he didnt find the package. So it seems it got stolen... What happens now? It was delivered on my part...

anyone, I need help im a bit freaked out...

[Imaginos]

Did you insure it?

[Etsim]

no... guess ive learn it the hard way. I thought USPS keep the package when there is nobody home and leave a notice...

[3eland]

USPS is not like our Canada Post lol, was the package left in a secured and closed off porch or on an open and inviting porch? Because, I personally don't see why it is your fault if it was stolen from a closed off porch (or even an open porch for that matter), you don't have any pull over what another countries postal service does. I would get your trading partner to open up a theft claim at their local PD. A lot of people don't insure their packages because it can be an extra few bucks but this is exactly the reason I always do.

[Etsim]

Yea... I dont know what the policy of bartertown is on that matter... I got it delivered but it got stolen after delivery. Is there anything I can do? Sure it sucks for both of us... But I dont think I should be the only one who pays for this...

[Imaginos]

You can try to work it out with him. It is a hard lesson to learn any way it goes though. I insure almost everything I ship. My general rule of thumb is, "Will I care if I have to reimburse the partner out of my own pocket for whatever this costs?" If the answer is yes, I insure.

[MagickalMemories]

First, I'm quoting kturock, from the other (locked) thread. He's a long time postal employee and I trust information from him re: postal issues implicitly:

Either, or both of you, should call the 1-800 USPS number and talk to the supervisor for the carrier of that building. Have the supervisor ask the carrier where he/she left it. ie on the porch, in the mail box, on a desk at the office [if business or apartment], et c. Sometiems the carrier will remember where they left the package.
That's also the first step to filing a theft of mail charge. If the carrier says, he/she delivered it and it was somewhere secure, like in the box; then file a theft charge. The addressee says they didn't receive it, so therefore it was stolen.
If the addressee is lying, that usually gets them to 'find it'.

Second:

Bartertown's official position on the matter is that it is the responsibility of the sender to ensure that the package is delivered with the contents in good condition. We can't account for condition here, but it is pretty clear that the package was delivered. By getting a tracking number, you did your part on that. The honesty of the recipient's neighbors (or passers by) is nothing you can control.
Had you not insured it, and the item(s) arrived damaged, THAT would be on you, unless you gave the recipient the option to pay for insurance or accept responsibility for items damaged in transit.

That being said, we (UNofficially) do tend to agree that the RIGHT thing for you to do, as a good trader, is to take the reins and do whatever you can to help the recipient resolve this. If this means you need to call the USPS # above, then so be it.

Eric

[Etsim]

We both Called USPS. The employee couldnt tell me where they left the package due to the fact that I wasnt my home, they were not autorized to give me the infos. The Addressee Called and it was left on the porch. But he found no package.

He is supposed to look with his neiboors and come back at me. I dont know who should file the theft charge. Since it was stolen after the delivery, I think it should be the Addressee who does it. Im ready to do anything in my power to help him get the package.

But what bugs me is that The Addressee can ignore the procedure and just keeps the models that he was supposed to send me. So Id be the only one who pays for what happened. Im willing to work with the other party and I did a lot of procedures to find the package (call usps, call local postal office, send the number to the other party, prividing all the infos needed to get what we looks for). So far he's trying to find the package, but if all fails, I dont know if he will do the theft charge. That is what I fear the most.

[kturock]

You were the mailer, you have the right to the info. I'd ask for that supervisors boss or the postmaster of that building.
He should file for stolen mail. He needs to contact the postal inspectors and his local police department.
If he doesn't then you cna also. But that would imply to me that he is suspect; or at least his activities are suspect.

[Etsim]

I talked to the other party, but he doesnt seems enclined to do the theft charge. I told him i'd be willing to help him in any way I can to complete it. I dont think he is a suspect or anything. but we dont seems to agree what we should do.

he understand the situation is really bad for both of us. But right now im the only one who sent anything to the other... what should we do?

[3eland]

Like Kturock said, if he isn't willing to do anything, then I personally would be suspicious. Was his porch closed off? I don't see how a postal agent would leave it in an open area, and then I find it rather bizarre that (if it was in a closed porch) someone would take it. I can understand if the neighbourhood is shady but then I would've had someone waiting there for the package if I knew it was coming (due to your tracking number). To be honest, if he knew the package was coming (again, due to the tracking number) and didn't have anyone there to pick it up and knew the package was going to be dropped off, and knew his neighbourhood was shady then I would almost put the blame on him.

Something just doesn't add up, in the many years I have sent packages all over the world and received packages (sometimes when I'm not home) I have never had a package go missing (from this site and the many other sites I frequent).

HOWEVER, this is all my opinion on the matter and is no way official to Bartertown in any way, so please take it with the amount of salt needed.

EDIT: I would also try to push it harder, your models have been stolen, he has just as much responsibility for them. He should try and do as much as he can to get them back, or atleast contact the postal people and follow the instructions that Kturock said. But once again, my opinion.

[Bahamut_Dragonlord]

Like Kturock said, if he isn't willing to do anything, then I personally would be suspicious. Was his porch closed off? I don't see how a postal agent would leave it in an open area, and then I find it rather bizarre that (if it was in a closed porch) someone would take it. I can understand if the neighbourhood is shady but then I would've had someone waiting there for the package if I knew it was coming (due to your tracking number). To be honest, if he knew the package was coming (again, due to the tracking number) and didn't have anyone there to pick it up and knew the package was going to be dropped off, and knew his neighbourhood was shady then I would almost put the blame on him.

Something just doesn't add up, in the many years I have sent packages all over the world and received packages (sometimes when I'm not home) I have never had a package go missing (from this site and the many other sites I frequent).

HOWEVER, this is all my opinion on the matter and is no way official to Bartertown in any way, so please take it with the amount of salt needed.

EDIT: I would also try to push it harder, your models have been stolen, he has just as much responsibility for them. He should try and do as much as he can to get them back, or atleast contact the postal people and follow the instructions that Kturock said. But once again, my opinion.

I concur with 3eland. I think the biggest issue now (aside from attempting to recover the missing models, is whether or not Etsim's trading buddy is obligated to send his side of the trade by Bartertown rules. I think we all agree that the trading partner should be making every effort to recover Etsim's models, whether for himself to complete the trade or to return.

[Etsim]

I concur with 3eland. I think the biggest issue now (aside from attempting to recover the missing models, is whether or not Etsim's trading buddy is obligated to send his side of the trade by Bartertown rules. I think we all agree that the trading partner should be making every effort to recover Etsim's models, whether for himself to complete the trade or to return.

that is exactly what I wonder. I can understand he is reluctant to send the models since he got nothing in return. He doesnt really think filing a theft claim will do anything. I called USPS and the girl told me that once its on the porch, delivered, there cleared of all responsibility conscerning the package.

[3eland]

Any update on the matter? I am intrigued at what may or may not come of this.

[kturock]

I concur with 3eland. I think the biggest issue now (aside from attempting to recover the missing models, is whether or not Etsim's trading buddy is obligated to send his side of the trade by Bartertown rules. I think we all agree that the trading partner should be making every effort to recover Etsim's models, whether for himself to complete the trade or to return.

that is exactly what I wonder. I can understand he is reluctant to send the models since he got nothing in return. He doesnt really think filing a theft claim will do anything. I called USPS and the girl told me that once its on the porch, delivered, there cleared of all responsibility conscerning the package.

Not with USPS, file a claim with the police. If someone stole a bike or computer off his porch, he wouldn't file?
It was in his possesion at that point.