USPS: Damaged packages to be returned unopened at post office

January 23, 2010 Saturday

To USPS,

Today, Earl at HICKMAN MILLS (6921 E 111TH ST
KANSAS CITY, MO 64134-9998) called me from
816-763-0542 concerning the email inquiry I made
on January 16, 2010.
He informed me that the recipient
of a damaged item shipped via USPS should take the
unopened package to the post office and have the
postal worker appropriately label the item and return
it to the sender.

Earl was extremely helpful by giving me this information
however I cannot find these instructions anywhere
on usps.com that state how to return the unopened
damaged item. He said the information should be in the
DMM / Domestic Mail Manual. I have been unable to find
the information there or anywhere at usps.com by
searching for several different keywords and word combinations.

I sell on the internet through ebay, amazon and other websites
and am now going to include this information in all of my listings.
I would like to be able to access a weblink that specifically
states the above rule with the proper procedure to return
an item so that it is accessible by anyone.

I am going to make stickers with this very important information
and put one all packages I send in the future as I have had several
buyers that claimed their item was damaged and they did not
purchase insurance. Paypal withdrew and held the funds
for the total amount paid from my account more than once
even though the items were not insured and
the buyer did not return the item to me.

Ebay has changed its listing policies and eliminated the ability
to offer shipping insurance to the buyer. See
http://pages.ebay.com/sell/July2009Update/Details/index.html#1-9

As a result,even more buyers are making false item damage claims.
When this happens ebay refunds the entire dollar amount
of the transaction which includes the item price as well as the
seller's shipping and handling fee.
Most sellers clearly state in their listings that they are not
responsible for items damaged during shipment, however this does
not prevent buyers from making claims and getting all of their
money back. Ebay places a damaged item upon receipt in
their own special category of Not As Described
See "I didn't receive an item I paid for. Does eBay offer insurance?
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/questions/item-not-received.html "
and
"What to do if you don't receive an item or it doesn't match the seller's description
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/item-not-received.html "

Until today, I did not know that if an item is damaged upon receipt
that the recipient should return it to their local post office and have
the postal worker return it to the sender.
This is vital worldwide information for USPS customers.
Ebay should make a public announcement and automatically include this information
in every eligible listing so that buyers are aware of the proper procedure
as to how to handle a damaged package.

All USPS sellers should have this information so they can post it anywhere.

I am also posting this letter at http://kcmusicshop.blogspot.com/