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Online order never arrived? Here’s what to do
Christmas is almost here, and millions of people are still trying to get their gifts delivered in time. You might have decided to pay the expedited delivery fee to get your package faster, but things don’t always go according to plan. Tap or click here for delivery scams making the rounds.
Various factors, including stormy weather, can derail even the most efficient mail system. In most cases, your package will eventually arrive, even if it is a few days late. But what do you do if it never gets to you?
Read on to find out how to tackle this stressful scenario and what you can do to prevent it in the future.
Here’s the backstory
Excitement can quickly become frustration and heartache when your expensive and thoughtful gift never appears. But there are a few things that you can do to find out where the problem is.
- First, contact the seller and ask whether the package has been shipped. If it has, ensure that you have the correct tracking number and it reflects on the shipping company’s website.
- If the package has been shipped and you have the correct tracking number, you can see where in the delivery process it is. This should give you a rough estimate of when it will land on your porch.
If you can’t reach the seller, you might have been the victim of a fake seller scam. In these instances, once the sale is complete, the fake seller closes shop and is nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about it.
How to handle missing packages
Things get tricky if the seller uses a shipping method that isn’t easily trackable. According to the FTC, dispute the charge with your bank if you still didn’t get your order and the charge shows up on your credit card statement.
“Online sellers have to ship when they (or their ads) say they will. The law says so. If they don’t ship then, they have to tell you (and give you a chance to cancel and get a full refund). If they don’t give a shipping date, they have 30 days to ship from the date of your order,” the FTC explains.
Here are more tips from the FTC:
- Always get tracking numbers for items you buy online to ensure they have been shipped and you can follow the delivery process.
- Pay with a credit card, as getting your money back is easier than using a debit card. Never pay third-party online sellers with gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Before buying from a seller, do as much research as possible by checking their customer reviews and comments.
Keep reading
Missed a Christmas delivery? That email might be a scam
Need to skip the front porch delivery? How to use an Amazon Hub Locker
Tags: Amazon, Christmas, credit card, delivery scams, gifts, online sellers, reviews
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