Shipping Label Refund on Failed Express USPS delivery

[AtticFairies]

I have a buyer that requested and purchased upgraded shipping to USPS express. I purchased the USPS express label. The USPS has not delivered to packaged within the 1-2 day time frame. It is now day 3 and still shows in a hub in my area. 

I contacted the USPS who started an investigation for this package to get it delivered faster. I was told that since I purchased the label through etsy, I would need to request the refund through etsy for the failed on time delivery, but I don't know how to do to this. 

Does anyone know how to submit a refund request for this? 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Did you verify that Express would happen within 24 to 48 hours?  Did you check the zip code.  USPS does not ship Express to all zip codes and you need to have the package at your post office at the time they ship out Express.  For my PO that is no later than 10 am.

If you checked and it did fail then you fill out the form on USPS site to ask for a refund of the shipping cost.  

You know Help is a great resource for finding answers. USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy – Etsy Help  

[AtticFairies]

I spoke with the USPS directly and they informed about that I could request a refund. I am in Atlanta, Ga area and the package is heading to Naples, Florida. 

[BagmakerSupply]

@AtticFairies: The Etsy Help article provides different information https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000336887-USPS-Shipping-Labels-on-Etsy?segment=selling#re... I believe that if you file the claim directly with USPS you will only be refunded for the amount that was paid to them - not the total that you paid for the label.

[AtticFairies]

Is there a difference? I would expect to get refunded for the amount I paid for the label, which is the same I paid through etsy.

Does etsy pay the post office less for the label than what we pay? 

[BagmakerSupply]

@AtticFairies: Etsy labels are actually through Pitney Bowes, and Pitney Bowes definitely pays USPS less than they charge their customers. Etsy probably gets a "commission" from Pitney Bowes rather than marking up the price.

[Adorabilities]

Sellers have posted that they have received less than they paid, as Etsy's prices are higher than what the USPS will reimburse. Hopefully that is not still happening.

Does etsy pay the post office less for the label than what we pay? 

Yes. Etsy makes money on all postage purchased here, as do all online shipping label providers.

[AtticFairies]

Thank you, I don't think the link will work for helping me to get a refund. It talks about scan forms and this label was not on a scan form. It was scanned individually. The package is in transit, it just did not arrive in the 1-2 day delivery. Its now 4 days and it still not delivered. Express should be delivered within 2 days max. 

The post office said I could get a refund, just trying to learn how to do this through etsy. 

[Adorabilities]

This is the part (on the link provided by @BagmakerSupply ) that mentions how to receive a refund:

"For refunds related to late delivery when using Priority Mail Express®, you may be able to file a claim directly with USPS. You may also be able to file a claim with USPS if your package was automatically insured."

[AtticFairies]

I was able to speak with etsy on the phone. I was told that I would have to have my buyer open a request for item being late and then I could talk with etsy on the phone again and they would reimburse me and the buyer for the shipping. But I am not sure if there are any other things I should know. 

[ManInTheMoonHerbs]

The only time it happened to me, I got the refund from a local PO. I bought the label through Etsy. The close-by small PO said I had to go through Etsy, so I went to a bigger PO a couple of towns over and left with my money.