Bartertown.com

Without pointing fingers or saying any names, I need help in a situation that might be developing. Even if this situation doesn't go down this path I'm kind of curious how others would handle these situation:

Background:
Another BTowner and yourself agreed to do a trade.
You had the lower rate so you sent your set of minis first.
You were responsible and insured the package and got a tracking number.
You received confirmation that the package had been received by both USPS and the other BTowner.
They promised to send the package on a certain day.
After a reasonable amount of time for travel of the package (of a distance of about 300 miles), the package from the other BTowner still has not arrived.

They do not have a tracking number nor did they insure the package. They used USPS.

Situation #1:
The Other BTowner has your miniatures and has confirmed it. The Other BTowner is honest and is not trying to rip you off. You are honest and genuinely did not receive the package.
What is the fairest way to resolve this situation if you trust them implicitly but neither of you are sure if the package will ever arrive at either destination (start or finish)?

Situation #2:
The Other BTowner has your miniatures and has confirmed it. You have no reason to trust the Other BTowner but they have no reason to trust you either. Since they never got a tracking number you have no way of knowing if they actually sent the package and they likewise have no idea if you actually received it and are lying. How would you tactfully resolve this situation if neither of you are sure if the package will ever arrive at either destination (start or finish)?

Situation #3 The Other BTowner has your miniatures and has confirmed it. The Other BTowner swears they shipped your package but delays in email responses and seems genuinely shifty. You think the Other BTowner is trying to rip you off. How long do you wait before you report them? What can you do if they are actually ripping you off?

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In all honesty, I think there's enough articles and posts on Situation #3 but I'd love to hear how other people have handled these situations.
If I'm posting this in the wrong area, I apologize. If an admin is able, please move it to the appropriate queue or direct me to the correct section to pose these questions.

Charlie-- aka bitterfun.

Well, USPS has started including tracking numbers on shipments. It prints on the receipt. Point that out to the other guy and see what he says. If you need affirmation, kturock posted a thread about it here on the forums. If the oter trader claims no go, whether or not he is being honest, it is his responsibility to do everything he can to ship his part to you. Part of his protection is tracking and/or insurance. If he didn't do that, then he cannot protect himself.

What day did he ship?
After a couple weeks, it's pretty clear that they're probably not going to arrive. As Imaginos said, DC#'s come with ALL Parcel Post or Priority packages, now. So, he should have proof, if he has his receipt.
If they don't arrive, he should return your items in the condition you sent them and refund your shipping costs, or should pay you the equivalent retail value of the item he was sending.

Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:What day did he ship?
After a couple weeks, it's pretty clear that they're probably not going to arrive. As Imaginos said, DC#'s come with ALL Parcel Post or Priority packages, now. So, he should have proof, if he has his receipt.
If they don't arrive, he should return your items in the condition you sent them and refund your shipping costs, or should pay you the equivalent retail value of the item he was sending.

Eric

I'm still waiting and will give it another week. However, the destination is a short distance away. I could drive there. I sent my package and had it arrive the next day at the cheapest rate. I've had 2 other Btowners send packages from clear across the country via USPS and those two packages have arrived. We'll see how they handle the issue before I make any declarations or worries.

Since, I'm fairly new here I was curious to see how others have dealt with these situations. If this package doesn't show up it would be the second time I've dealt with BTowners and missing packages.

That's a shame.

At a 36 ref score, and almost 2 years on the site, though... you no longer get to say you're new here. ; )
LOL


Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:That's a shame.

At a 36 ref score, and almost 2 years on the site, though... you no longer get to say you're new here. ; )
LOL


Eric

Ha! I was told that I'm still a newb at 36. When you see and trade with people that all have you beat by 100+ refs you tend to think you're still the new guy on the block.
At this point I'm so used to sending everything first, it's almost a condition.

bitterfun wrote:I'm still waiting and will give it another week. However, the destination is a short distance away. I could drive there. I sent my package and had it arrive the next day at the cheapest rate. I've had 2 other Btowners send packages from clear across the country via USPS and those two packages have arrived. We'll see how they handle the issue before I make any declarations or worries.

Since, I'm fairly new here I was curious to see how others have dealt with these situations. If this package doesn't show up it would be the second time I've dealt with BTowners and missing packages.

I will say this about USPS routing. It can be crazy sometimes. I've had packages going from the middle of Tennessee to eastern Tennessee go through Iowa, North Carolina, and Florida. The NC and FL were on the same package.

Imaginos wrote:

bitterfun wrote:I'm still waiting and will give it another week. However, the destination is a short distance away. I could drive there. I sent my package and had it arrive the next day at the cheapest rate. I've had 2 other Btowners send packages from clear across the country via USPS and those two packages have arrived. We'll see how they handle the issue before I make any declarations or worries.

Since, I'm fairly new here I was curious to see how others have dealt with these situations. If this package doesn't show up it would be the second time I've dealt with BTowners and missing packages.

I will say this about USPS routing. It can be crazy sometimes. I've had packages going from the middle of Tennessee to eastern Tennessee go through Iowa, North Carolina, and Florida. The NC and FL were on the same package.

We want your package to get all the milage it deserves for the postagepaid. Think of it as a vacation or trip, for it.

Seriously, there are new parcel sorting machines and new upgrades on the older ones; that read addresses.. If it's mis-read, well.. it can go on a trip. [that's in addition to the machine sending it to the wrong sort bin.]

Imaginos wrote: I will say this about USPS routing. It can be crazy sometimes. I've had packages going from the middle of Tennessee to eastern Tennessee go through Iowa, North Carolina, and Florida. The NC and FL were on the same package.

I live in NY and sent a package to Maine. It went via Texas.

I send all kinds of packages to the east from here in Tucson, AZ. And they almost ALL go east by way of Los Angeles California...

Karl

I had a trade recently where the guy shipped first and inadvertently forgot a single model. His first package arrived in 2 days. His second took two weeks. He did get tracking and when I did check it...it was just in limbo. Called the post office and they told me the same thing. Weird!

Rich

Well good news outiide of this question. I've finally received a tracking number. And the person hadn't shipped until yesterday. Which is fine. I just wish people would be more honest if they have limitations on when and how they can ship. It wouldn't have affected my half of the trade at all.

*edit*

further explanation received: the package was dropped off at a drop off point. Which make sense now. no need to rush a package when no one's watching you.

bitterfun wrote:Well good news outiide of this question. I've finally received a tracking number. And the person hadn't shipped until yesterday. Which is fine. I just wish people would be more honest if they have limitations on when and how they can ship. It wouldn't have affected my half of the trade at all.

*edit*

further explanation received: the package was dropped off at a drop off point. Which make sense now. no need to rush a package when no one's watching you.

Awesome, glad to hear it worked out for you!