I ordered a significantly priced shipment from a reputable vendor on the 16th. He normally only does FE but has a 100% positive feedback rating with over 400 orders. Since this was my first order and it was pretty large, vendor agreed to 50% FE. I fully understood the ramifications of doing so but that's what it was going to take to build a business relationship with him. I thought it threw and was willing to lose the 50% to have the chance at securing this product for this price. I am keeping it vague so I don't reveal the vendor - it's most likely not his fault and I would like to keep doing business together.
Once the package ships, he suggests I finalize if he provides the tracking number. I decline and mention this is our first time doing business and would like to verify the contents before I finalize. I get a message two days later saying "it's delivered, finalize". However, I checked the box twice that day and nothing. He sends tracking number as proof and it shows: Package ships the 16th and tracking says it arrived at the UPS store the 18th at 10:14am. "Delivered, Front Desk/Reception" - signature waived. I checked the box 6 hours after it apparently arrived that day and there was nothing. I reply to him that I never recieved it and I would still like to have the package in my possession before I finalize. It's not his fault the package isn't in my box so I offer $100 extra next order for having to wait until I recieve it. He says "Give me the $100 later but finalize now". I understand he wants his money, but I also want what I paid for...
I go back to the store today and still nothing in my box. I provide employees with tracking number and they say no way they got it. No mail was delivered at 10:14am and no way they would waive the signature. Apparently their store policy is to never waive the signature. They show me the security tapes and reveal no mail was delivered anywhere close to that time. I ask if they got it later and the time was entered incorrectly. Nope, no way. I ask if they misread the box number and gave it to someone else. Nope, no way.
Not sure what to do here. They said call postal service and make a lost or stolen claim. Should I let the sender do that or chop it up to gone forever? It's not really fair to the vendor if he actually sent it and the mail screwed up. Also, I get fucked out of a lot of money and nothing to show for it.
Sorry for the fucking novel and my life story, but I wanted to give the full scope. I'm not sure what to do here so any advice would be appreciated.
p.s. PartySquadNL has these red bull tabs... ha! sorry, I couldn't help myself. No time for joking, this is serious.
Vendor scammed you or customs seized your pack and obfuscated tracking