I'm typically a low-dollar seller, mostly comic books I've bought for cheap and attempt to flip for a tiny profit. Every now and then I'll post a big-ticket item.

I sold an autographed print in December. Buyer bought it on the 13th, paid on the 13th, and I packed it up and printed the label on the 13th. Not sure if I took it to the PO that day or the following, but I'm pretty sure it was the same day. It's estimated to arrive Dec. 17-23. I'm in TN, buyer is in MO. Tracking starts updating on the 16th...in VA, which is in the opposite direction. On the 19th it's just "In Transit, Arriving Late." On the 20th it arrives in Kansas City, KS, departs, and arrives in Springfield, MO on the same day. Cool beans, good job USPS. Then for the next 4 days it's just "In Transit, Arriving Late." The last update is on Dec. 24.

So the buyer filed an INR claim today, and I don't blame him; the package looks lost. Ebay has put a hold on the entire amount minus what the buyer paid for shipping. I was under the impression that in cases like this, where the item was plainly shipped but lost in shipping, that Ebay generally covers the refund without taking it from the seller. Did I imagine that? It was shipped ground advantage and that comes with insurance, so I'll file a claim with USPS if it stays lost and I'll get (most) of my money back, but that hold is making me nervous.