Item Marked Delivered By USPS In Locked Building Then Stolen

Question for other sellers:
I recently sent a package to New York. According to the USPS tracking system, the item was delivered. The buyer reported that the item never received and the office building suspects theft.

When I called USPS to report the issue, they informed me that their policy for an apartment buildings is to leave the packages in the building office. When she researched the issue, she informed me that with this particular apartment building the driver has a key and delivers the package to the door since building is locked and tenants need key to enter.

The buyer reported that the package never received and that the building is investigating theft. Not sure if they are reviewing the surveillance videos.

The package was insured. We filed an issue with the postal inspector and filed a claim regarding the theft of the package.

This is the first time this has happened to me. How do you handle from here? Do you reimburse the buyer before final determination by USPS. Is this type of situation covered under the insurance for the package since USPS marked as delivered?

Are they at fault because truly, they did not follow the USPS policy of delivery to the office building?

In Thanks and Appreciation,
Alley Cat Finds LLC
Mary

Check the USPS site or call your local post office to find out.

I can't speak for all post offices, but at mine when a clerk 'scans' the bar code when it is received at it's final destination (i.e. the post office!) that's it. now if you had paid for 'signed delivery' option, that's another story...hope it all gets straightened out for you.

I'm not sure, but I would think that insurance coverage through the USPS would cease once the item was delivered in the normal fashion used for that particular business or apartment complex. I believe it is the recipients duty to provide for a safe place to deliver their mail.

But having said the above, the theft of mail is, if I'm not mistaken, a federal offense and should be investigated by Postal Inspectors.

Perhaps the building management should look into their security arrangements to determine if there is a fatal flaw in their system.

It's a shame that this will likely be a hassle for the seller and or buyer. Go to the link below and maybe it'll have something for you. The link is the Domestic Postal Policies for USPS. Good Luck

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/608.htm

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/508.htm#1132464 check out section 1.2. Its about leaving package alone if authorized.

There's a few things to read

Thank you for your assistance. Mary.

Thank you for your assistance. Mary

Thank you. We did report it to postal inspector and filed a claim. Just awaiting to hear. Mary

This might help since we did not give those instructions.

Carrier Release Endorsement for Parcels The carrier release endorsement ”CARRIER—LEAVE IF NO RESPONSE“ instructs carriers to leave the parcel if no one is available to accept the parcel or when the addressee has filed a written order to allow a carrier to leave the parcel. A parcel may be left in an unprotected location, such as a stairway or uncovered porch, only when it bears the ”CARRIER—LEAVE IF NO RESPONSE“ endorsement. The endorsement must appear directly to the left of the postage area (preferred) or directly below the return address as specified in 102.4.3 and 402.3.3. A carrier release endorsement may be used on only:

a. Uninsured parcels
b. Parcels which do not require a signature

Thanks again. Mary

You should be compensated by the USPS