Item Arrived - Postage Due
Summary: ashlandfolks shared their experience of purchasing an item on eBay that arrived with unpaid postage despite having paid for shipping. They faced issues retrieving a refund due to a misunderstanding with the seller and a lack of awareness about eBay’s reporting window. christworks advised on the importance of opening an 'Item Not Received' case and suggested a chargeback might be an option, though challenging. christworks and kathiec recommended leaving factual negative feedback to inform others, while another participant mentioned reporting to postal authorities if the issue persists. ashlandfolks appreciated the advice and planned to take action accordingly.
I purchased an item and paid the required shipping. But the item never arrived for a week or two. Finally discovered that the post office was holding it because postage was due. When I received the notice, I didn't realize it was my eBay item, until after I paid $28.60, because the shipper had used a Priority FlatRate box, and GroundAdvantage postage. I contact the seller immediately to let them know. They seemed cool about it, and said they'd look into the best way to refund me. A week passes, and I reach out again. They said they were still talking with eBay on how to get it refunded. Another week goes by. I reach out a third time, and they ignore. And ignore. It's now past the 30-day reporting window (a window I didn't know existed until today), and I'm stuck not knowing if I can still report this, file a dispute, or if I'm simply out of luck. Surely this isn't the first time for that to happen... but eBay has made it SO DIFFICULT to do anything that''s not what they expect. Any advice? (...besides "don't wait so long next time")
kathiec
·2 weeks ago@ashlandfolks
Unfortunately eBay has no mechanism to recoup postage due after you've paid it, so there was never a 30-day window that would have helped you. Their sole remedy for postage due is an exception in the Money Back Guarantee that allows buyers to refuse delivery of packages with postage due and then open an item not received case.
All you can do now is leave unemotional, factual feedback.
deltilogical
·2 weeks agoI'm assuming seller used an Ebay shipping sticker? A postal clerk would not have allowed GA on a priority box, that is not a permitted use. Do you still have the box and a receipt for the paid postage? If you're really annoyed, you might contact the post office police, for what its worth. He's probably doing it regularly.
ashlandfolks
OP2 weeks agoI do still have the box, yes. And while I have no desire to be petty about it, I also don't want a serial-offender to continue without repercussions. I appreciate your feedback 👍🏻
ashlandfolks
OP2 weeks agoWell........ that is certain disappointing to hear. And its something I will keep in mind for next time. Feedback is something I can definitely do.
christworks
·2 weeks ago@ashlandfolks There is nothing eBay can do at this point.
First, you should have opened an Item Not Received case if the order did not arrive by the last date in the estimated delivery window. Had you done that, the seller would have needed to prove it had been delivered to you or refund you.
Second, you never have to pay extra when an order arrives with postage due. You can refuse the package. Once you pay and accept the package, the seller is no longer on the hook to refund you for the extra postage so far as eBay is concerned. If a seller made an honest mistake, which can happen, they would ask you for the receipt showing where you paid and then refund you. No need to talk to eBay - ever - when it comes to refunding a buyer.
Third, since you are outside the 30-day window, you cannot return it. The only thing left for you to try is a chargeback with your method of payment. I honestly do not think that will work, because they will say you had every opportunity to make it right and choose not to read or follow policy. I hope I'm wrong, but short of you being a really good customer it may be a uphill battle. It's free to try, so that's what I'd do.
Do not let stuff like that go on, whether that is here or elsewhere. If you buy from eBay or anywhere else, know your rights. Read the policies so you know what to do. If you don't understand something about eBay, come here to the forum and ask. Someone will help you and get you on the right track, hopefully before it is too late.
While eBay cannot do anything, you can leave the seller negative feedback - which they deserve. Just in case you've not already done that, I'll suggest to you what I'd write if I were in your shoes.
I paid the seller X dollars in shipping. USPS notified me they were holding the package for postage due. I had to pay an additional $[amount] because the item was shipped by the seller in Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging without sufficient postage. I messaged the seller and they indicated that I would be refunded, but then stopped responding, and I never received the promised refund.
You can use that if you'd like, just swap in what you paid for shipping and the amount you paid USPS for the additional postage due. If you add on or write something else, just make sure to stick to the facts of the transaction and present them calmly. Let the facts speak for themselves, rather than emotionally telling people to avoid the seller. We want that negative feedback to stick on their profile so others will know what a scumbag they are.
If you do leave the negative feedback and the seller should message you telling you they will refund you if you remove it, don't fall for that. You tell them they've violated yet another eBay policy and you are reporting them. Leave it at that.
ashlandfolks
OP2 weeks ago · EditedI appreciate the information and your suggestions! And yes, I can easily see in hindsight my mistakes. prior to this I was not aware that this was a common tactic. And yes, negative feedback will be provided. I agree that as a community, we should not permit these things to happen unpunished. I'll be addressing them appropriately, and have learned from the experience lol
(I should note that the postage-due notice left in my mailbox did not disclose what the package was, so I paid the postage-due without realizing it was my ebay package. My first mistake - acknowledged.)