USPS lost a package - what should I do?

USPS lost my package delivery and they are giving me the runaround. What do I do now?

• I sold a laptop on Ebay in mid December 2010. I had delivery confirmation but failed to insure the package. An attemped delivery was made and it failed supposedely due to no such address. However, the buyer confirmed his address with me and I am sure I wrote the address given on the package. It was sent to Ozone Park New York. Then it was on it's way back to me in Chicago and suddenly turned back around and was sent to New Jersey. According to the tracking number, it has been stuck at a New Jersey sorting facility since 12/29/2010. I reported the package missing several times and was given several case numbers. USPS has said that they don't have any idea where the package is. They told me that it has been escalated and reported to the mail recovery center and I should be hearing from them shortly. It has been two weeks and I have not heard anything. The buyer is very upset...naturally and has started a paypal claim for a refund. I can't afford to lose over $500 over a USPS screw-up. What should I do? What if the buyer gets his refund and then suddenly the laptop shows up at his front door? Any suggestions will be very much appreciated.

• Answer:

  IF you give the buyer the tracking number, then he should see the path the package has had to follow. Maybe you can sue them. I have never heard of them losing packages. I usually make people sign for things or request delivery confirmation (but you already did that). Can you check the address again with the address USPS has on record associated with that tracking number? Keep checking is all I can say and stay on their case. Unfortunately, you and the buyer need to set a time that you agree upon that you will wait for this to be resolved. That's the risk you take selling online. I personally like to use Amazon versus Ebay, but that's just me.