Advice about non-delivery, how long to wait

[steinerp]

A month and a half ago I sent a trade package to someone in Canada. Because it was international and not priority delivery confirmation was not available. According to the last update I got from the trading partner, the package still has not arrived. Any advice on how long to wait before escalating the matter would be appreciated. Also I guess I'm curious what people would consider appropriate. Negative feedback with explanation is probably about the only option since it was a trade and I don't know that it isn't a Post Office screw-up (guy has decent track record ~40 feedback) so I don't think he is a scammer but who knows.

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

What's the customs number?

[MagickalMemories]

Delivery Confirmation is only available on packages within the US. When I say "packages," I mean it literally. You cannot get it on regular envelopes, either.

When shipping outside the US, you can send your package Registered (to many/most countries), and it's like $12 or so.

Like, S_ said, What's your customs form #? You should be able to plug that into the Canada Post web site and check it's status there. This is something that the USPS doesn't really tell you about because not all countries do it and, even in those that do, it's not always 100%.

A month and a half is a long time, but not entirely unheard of, for Canada.

Also, I don't see where leaving him a negative reference would be appropriate, as your trade partner has done nothing wrong.


Eric

[steinerp]

Thanks for the answers. I just got a response from him, everything seems to be working out. Didn't know about the custom's number trick, that will make shipping to Canada happier in the future.

As for the negative feedback, I would think it is appropriate so long as the written comment reflects that it may not be the other parties fault.Had my models disappeared it would certainly be a negative experience for me. And I would want to know if other people's models regularly disappeared when they were sent to somebody. Regardlesss don't look like it will matter.

[Norseman]

Giving negative feedback to a member for things not in his control like customs inspecting a package, and delaying delivery, is a really serious thing. I am sure it would grab you a spot on most members "Do not trade list". Even WITH an explanation. All people see is the number and a BIG RED LINE. That is all that matters. If you were to do this and the other member ask for it to be removed. I am sure not a staff member here would hesitate to remove it.

That is a real DICK move!!!

[steinerp]

I'm honestly a bit surprised by this. For delay caused by customs I absolutely agree. But if the package never arrives resulting in me being out my package and him being out nothing is a different matter in my book.

From the FAQ in this forum:

What's the difference between a bad feedback and a bad trader report?
Bad feedback, which I'll refer to as negative feedback, has far looser rules than a bad trader report. Negative feedback can be left if a trade goes *very badly*. In other words, the other party lied, cheated you, or otherwise did something so bad that you'll never trade with them again.
A Bad Trader Report is when you have been scammed by someone and can prove it. There is a forum for that, appropriately called the Bad Trader Forum. I highly recommend reading the rules...unless you want to get suspended.

A non-arriving package would seem to fall under possible cheating that can't be proven. And I certainly wouldn't trade with someone who didn't acknowledge receipt (possibly due to not getting it, possibly due to cheating) again.

If negative feedback is not appropriate what would be the appropriate action to take to let others know that this has happened before should there package disappear. (again this is all hypothetical now as the package has arrived)

[MagickalMemories]

Look, man.
You are welcome to your opinion about what should be and should not be site policy. We will happily debate it with you and listen to you. The bottom line, however, is that a negative reference left for someone because a package didn't arrive and you can't prove he DIDN'T receive it will not fly. It's like convicting someone of a crime because they can't prove it WASN'T them. You know? That isn't how it works. If he asks for it to be removed, I'm 99.99% certain we'd side with him. Additionally, if it was deemed that you knowingly left an inappropriate reference, it would be classified as ITL Intimidation.

Again, though, if you've got some sort of delivery/tracking number which shows the package as having been delivered, but the recipient is stating that he didn't get it, you're looking at a very different situation.

Eric

[steinerp]

Do you have an answer for my question about what I should do in that case?

edit: Are there rules somewhere that I have missed stating what the requirements for good/bad/neutral are?

[Norseman]

If the post office lost your models. I personally would be pissed as well, but put the anger in the right place, at the post office. Most parcels come with Insurance and that is what it is for, lost parcels. It is rare but it DOES happen.

That is why you get a customs number. It tells you if it have been delivered.

If the models don't show up you, I would leave a Neutral with details. If you can prove it was delivered and the other party says it wasn't then you can post a Negative, and a BTR.

You don't throw NEGS around. They are VERY serious!!! Especially if the trade partner did nothing wrong.

[MagickalMemories]

There are no rules laid out any more. They were lost in an update. probably about time we got around to fixing that.

As a general rule:

Pos: Good trade. Would trade with again.
Neutral: Wasn't a good trade, but not bad enough to hurt the guy's reputation. Major hiccups in the trade. Might trade with again.
Neg: Bad trade. Trader misprepresented items, took way to long to ship or exhibited other major flaws in trading. Would never trade with again.

The only thing your trade qualifies for is, "Would never trade with again." Obviously, he doesn't meet, "Trader misprepresented items, took way to long to ship or exhibited other major flaws in trading."

Eric