USPS Grumbles Advice
 

hi

I brought some textbooks from the US ?reliable seller and he sent them by USPS International Flat Rate box to the UK.

Because of the size of the package tracking was not an option. It is now 6 weeks and still no package. Is USPS that slow?

Are there avenues for compensation I can pursue from USPS? Unsurprisingly now seller has gone quiet.

Grateful for ideas as to how to pursue this further. I have the sellers address and phone number in Brooklyn if that helps.

Thanks

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

You can't track internationally, you could try and file with paypal, if thats who you paid with. I've had things take only a week and others take well over a month. USPS won't do anything, it could be royal mail who has them.

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

IMHO, I'm afraid the likelihood you've been duped is very high; esp if its a private seller. The extent you might have recourse is report to your cc a fraudulent charge.. but even they may say you authorized the transaction by which you say where is the signature or their proof? Its then up to the cc to look into. 'Phone Order' from merchants only go so far and you ask the cc company to see the copy. As for compensation from the USPS, the shipment wasn't insured, and there is no proof of anything being sent in the first place. (which would be in the seller's interest to prove and is what you say to the seller too if they're miffed). If you get somesort of credit back reorder a different way as many UK bookstores have a way to order US books for you (eg Blackwells in Oxford), if you have the ISBN # then they should be able to get it.

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

No sadly these textbooks are a bit specialised so cant get them here so am relying to get them from the US hence am in this situation sadly :(

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

Best bet is credit card and challenge the charges other wise you're just out of luck without having shipping insurance on the postage.

Have you tried Blackwells? They do seem to be able to get all sorts of books specially ordered.

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

no blackwells cant get them too specialist for them and only published in the states so am bit stuck

normally havent had an issue with USPS but this time they failed. I bought from this seller once before and was fine so didnt think would be an issue this time.

:(

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

I once had a parcel take 4 months to reach relatives in the UK, so there is still hope.

It may also be that the parcel has got held up in customs at the UK end. I've had that happen before too.

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

Me too, sometimes things get held up for ages or seem to disappear for a few months before finally being delivered. :fingerscrossed:

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

Other way around but my Sister sent my something from the UK to me in the States when I first moved here and she received it back 7 months later! :eek: Have NO idea what it was doing floating around for that period of time. We'd all forgotten about it.
Unfortunately, things do get lost/stuck in the post system (in both countries!)

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

I have sent a few boxes over recently it has been taking around 3 weeks for a flat rate box to arrive. You may check your local post office in the UK they send a note to my chap in the UK telling him there is a package to collect after he pays the VAT and duty on occasion they may forget. If nothing turns up in a week or so inform the seller you will start a claim via your credit card or paypal.

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

thanks for advise from all still a bit stuck. I bought from this seller before and wasnt an issue. He has 100% feedback so dealt with him direct this time.

they were only books which are customs free I gather so dont think should be held up there.

Will hold out hope it turns up eventually!!

Re: USPS Grumbles Advice
 

Buy a calling card and give him a call in Brooklyn. As you said, you've dealt with him before with no problems.