Question about International Shipping

[elish2]

So I sold a box set of ponies on ebay that was sent to Ireland. I shipped with ebay, so the tracking was automatically updated and everything, but as we all know, shipping does not track past leaving the US as it was first class. Anywho, it is reaching the 30 day mark in 1 week and I got a message today stating that they had not yet received the item, but they are hoping it will show up in the next week. I am also hoping that it just got stalled due to weather or something...

In the off chance the item went "missing"; I have not yet dealt with this issue before. Is there anything I can really do about it?

[ponylady]

Unfortunately, no because there is no tracking 

It sounds like your buyer is being pretty reasonable though. I would just email them back and let them know there has been delays here in the US, due to the weather and the holiday season.  I am sure it will show up soon for them.

[elish2]

I can't remember off the top of my head, but USPS is insuring shipments without the additional insurance, but is that only for domestic?

[emery]

Priority packages within the US are automatically insured but not first class international. Unfortunately there is nothing you can really do even if a first class international package does so missing. You can't file a claim on something without insurance since there is nothing that you would get back anyway and there is no option to purchase insurance on first class That's the risk of using the more affordable option.

I would just try to stay in contact with your buyer and ask them to be patient since it was shipped out over the holidays. Maybe confirm their address as well just for good measure. Hopefully it will arrive soon but just be in contact with them so that they feel comfortable that you are concerned with the delivery. If they do decide to open a case you do have proof that the package was shipped so hopefully ebay would side with you or extend the case to allow more time for arrival.

[Galactica]

I'd wait a bit longer-  especially given the weather issue.

But if you sent via priority- you may not be out of luck.  International priority comes with indemnity depending on weight (excludes flat rate envelopes and small flat rate boxes) Check here:  https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-international.htm

Sorry- just saw you sent if first class.  I guess you are out of luck- but hopefully your buyer can be patient and it will turn up...

[Lollipop]

Weather in the UK has been terrible recently, flooding everywhere pretty much, I am not sure what it is like in Ireland though.
Lets hope the post is just slow because of the weather. I am still waiting for a package from Germany I ordered before Christmas still not here just hope its not here yet because of the time of year & the weather.

At least it does sound like you have a reasonable buyer though 

My fingers are crossed for you that it arrives

[elish2]

Nope it was first class, it is cheaper for the buyer and that is usually what they opt for when I give them the shipping quotes. Priority is rather pricey international...I am just figuring it is the post moving slow...I have never had a package not make it, even to Italy, so I will just keep checking in with her. I did respond to her message asking her to let me know if she gets it and that it may be the post moving slowly....

I know what you mean about the weather, still waiting for my own package to arrive for UPS that has been sitting at the local hub for 4 days now...and with the weekend I will probably not see it until Monday.

[DaffyDilly]

It's still so soon after Christmas/New Year and certainly in western Europe those holidays cause an awful lot of havoc and delays. I don't think that it's an unreasonable amount of time yet tbh and the parcel probably will arrive, it's just a shame that PayPal doesn't allow a longer claim window on international shipping.

[Ringlets]

I am just figuring it is the post moving slow...I have never had a package not make it, even to Italy, so I will just keep checking in with her. I did respond to her message asking her to let me know if she gets it and that it may be the post moving slowly....

  this is the right way to handle it ^^ keep up the good communication Hopefully the parcel will show up some time soon
I think TBH the weather has been awful both sides of the atlantic and that +big holiday season+ lots of extra mail at this time of year means shipping delays are really common at the moment and post everywhere is moving very slowly - especially when it comes to internatonal mail. I just got a card yesterday from the US - it was sent on 16th december

[elish2]

*update* she got them today. Phew 

I figured it was delayed due to the weather, but she got them

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Woo hoo!  Glad to hear good news!   

[Ringlets]

Thats great news     thanks for the update