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keep us posted

don't mean to hijack this thread, but i got a similar problem.
i printed out the shipping lable (international priority to cananda). i requested usps pickup. postman picks it up. after more then 1 week when i check the tracking (actually customs lable number) i still see the usual message:

" The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on October 14, 2009 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later."

let me know what i should do.....i definitely know i shipped this item. should i send them a priority mail envelope with just a note and take it down to the post office myself to make sure the envelope gets scanned in?
i didn't use paypal, i used CCNOW.

Re #40: Good luck this time around. I'm interested in the outcome, if you remember to get back with me later. I'd appreciate it.

Re #FortySomething or Other:

Customs label number is not delivery tracking it only applies to item while in custody of customs, in case customs misplaces it in their own warehouse or something. PP will not officially accept the customs number as proof of anything, even if the number DOES get tracked to destination. You can put customs number in the blank on PP site, but later on, they may inform you that vertical urination relative to a strand of interwoven hemp will bring you more satisfaction than PP will provide. I can't say how other money processors deal with the same circumstance.

Delivery confirmation technically is not a tracking number. The USPS only guarantees that delivery tracking will be updated at the time of delivery. All the pit-stops in between are just luck. That's the official word.

To have true proof of delivery, you need to use Signature Confirmation or Registered Mail service. For non-domestic shipments, you cannot get SigConf by itself, you must obtain Registered Mail status for the package.

Package tracking is exactly that. Tracking. Delivery confirmation is exactly that. It is confirmation but not proof. Proof of delivery is exactly what it says it is. Each of these three things are separate. They are not the same. Matter of semantics, but technically and officially fact.

If you input the customs number and later there is a concern, even if you did get SigConf, then provide the proper number, your payment processor may get the wrong impression. They may think you are trying to pull a fast one. Get it right the first time, to avoid BS later. If you skimp on the shipping fees, it often bites you in the bum.

FerInstance: 1 pound package going to Canada properly sent=Registered and Insured with SigConf ~=$22.00 USD (this covers your butt)

Alternatively: Priority with Customs ~=$9.60 or 18.90 depending on how you misread the USPS info (leaves you wide open for being raped)

Hope that helps you out in the future.

I think all sellers should know this: USPS Priority international shipping does NOT provide tracking information outside of the U.S.. I have called USPS many many times and got this confirmed information from the 800 number and my local post office. That means even if your packages have been delivered, you won't be able to see it!! If you need to ship anything more than $100 via International mail, use USPS Express Mail!!!

Or use any other grade of service with addon options. For instance, First Class Registered and Insured.

Personally I do not do Express Mail. It's a ripoff, in my opinion.

USPS does not have tracking, period. It is a delivery confirmation system only, it shows when an item has been delivered, and I wish people could understand that.

But I have to disagree with the above comment. I ship to Canada on a regular basis, several packages per week, and up till now everything I shipped to Canada has shown in the tracking results that it has been delivered.

Update!
 

So I shipped the buyer a new item via FedEx Ground so I could get a definite tracking on it. It was delivered yesterday, which the tracking showed, and then I emailed Paypal to appeal the claim in which the buyer got it money back.

Here's the email I get from them - you've go to be f'ing kidding me!

We understand that the buyer has already received a full refund on this
transaction. Since you were able to prove that you shipped the item, we
have contacted the buyer to let them know that it is against PayPal policy
to collect a non-receipt refund on merchandise that was shipped. We
requested that the buyer reverse the refund and return the funds to you.

WTF!?! So they just take the money out of my account and send it back to they buyer, but when they find out he is the one at fault they "request" him to send the money back to me???

My PP account was on hold or whatever because they gave the buyer a refund of $120 and there was only $95 in my account and went into the negative. So they restored my account and now it has a balance of $0, but the buyer still has the other $95!

This if f'ing outrageous! They ASKED him to send my money back, wtf!

Anybody have any suggestions? Am I screwed out of my money?