Ebay can be a great way to find deals on products that might cost you far more at a traditional retailer. But what do you do if someone else snags your find from your doorstep? What recourse do you have, and what can you do?
If your eBay package is long overdue and you suspect foul play, the first thing you should do is to make sure that it actually was stolen. If it has been delayed or lost in transit, you’re dealing with a different situation than if a porch pirate has actually made off with your package.
Find your tracking number and use it to check your order’s delivery status with the appropriate delivery company. If your order is marked as delivered but is nowhere in sight, check with your family members to make sure no one brought the package in, stashed it “somewhere safe,” and then forgot about it.
You may also want to check with your neighbors to make sure that your package wasn’t accidentally delivered to them or grabbed by them for safe keeping. Even if your neighbors didn’t get your package, they may be able to help you locate it. Perhaps they saw it being delivered or sitting on your front porch, which can help you ascertain that it really was delivered and can help you figure out the potential timeframe of the theft.
If you can’t find your package after checking with friends and family, you may actually have a porch pirate on your hands. What can you do now?
First, don’t take it out on the seller. If they shipped the package and it was delivered to your address, that is the end of their responsibility. Don’t leave them a negative review for an outcome that was out of their hands.
Second, try contacting eBay. While there is no guarantee that the company will cover or reimburse you, it doesn’t hurt to try.
Another option is to contact the delivery company. If you open a missing item case with them, you may be able to get some sort of compensation.
If eBay and the shipping company are unable to help you, you still have some options. You can contact the police. Package theft is a crime, and the police may be able to help track down the perpetrator, especially if he or she has been especially active in your neighborhood.
You can also enter a claim through your renters or homeowners insurance. However, this is usually not worthwhile for small claims, as you will need to meet your deductible before your insurance will pay anything out. Additionally, making a claim may cause your provider to raise your insurance premiums, so consider carefully whether this option is worthwhile in your case.
If you bought your package with a credit card, you may also have some options. Many credit card companies offer some form of protection when items are stolen. However, these claims may only be honored if submitted within a certain timeframe. Contact your credit card company to find out whether you might be eligible, and what the timeframe is.
In the future, you can reduce your chances of package theft by making sure that you are there during the time of delivery or by using a P.O. box or lockbox. Buying a security camera or a home package security solution can also be helpful.
