I shipped a package to a buyer and the address does not exist. Buyer will not contact me. I am new to this. What happens?
Summary: ron.kissel1978 is dealing with a shipment issue where the package, unable to be delivered due to a non-existent address, is being returned by USPS. They are unsure of the next steps as the buyer hasn't responded. Other participants advise them to wait for the package's return and suggest that sellers are not obligated to refund in such scenarios, though some recommend refunding minus shipping and fees. A debate ensues about the ethics and responsibilities of sellers regarding refunds and the role of platforms like eBay in teaching or enforcing moral actions. Opinions vary on whether to issue refunds, with some emphasizing practical and contractual obligations over moral considerations.
The tracking shows that it was "address doesn't exist" and now USPS still has the package. It says "return to shipper processing" but that was days ago. The buyer will not contact me and I used the label that I purchased from ebay. What happens next? I am new to this and have not ran across this before.
"update" Buyer finally contacted me and we discussed a refund on return of my item. It looks like the Cologne will be arriving today back to me. Now I need to explain to the buyer that I will probably need to determine if a refund will be given since I don't know where the cologne has been stored and how long it has been in the heat and if there is any damage.
pgh_pen
·3 days ago · EditedI saw a suggestion to call the buyer and get a corrected address. If you ship to this address instead to the one eBay provided you, your buyer will have grounds to claim item not received (regardless if they received it or not). Never send to any address other that what the buyer provides to eBay.
In this case, the ball is in the buyer's court. I suggest you wait for them to do something.
Over the years, I have had two cases where the item was returned, and I never heard from either buyer, either directly or through eBay. No clue why.
mam98031
·2 days agoJust for clarity. What that would do is cause the seller to lose ALL seller protection completely. This isn't something that is in the best interest of any seller and not something a seller should do.
simba6
·6 days agoAs long as you shipped to the address eBay provided, your full covered. If you receive it back, the buyer will have to pay the shipping again before you resend it.
inhawaii
·1 week agoThe package will eventually come back to you.
You are not obligated to refund or do anything,
It's the buyers fault for providing a invalid address.
If the buyer should contact you within 30 days,
I refund the buyer LESS SHIPPING that way I'm not out any money.
If they still want the item they are welcome to purchase it again but make sure they have the correct address this time.
mam98031
·1 week ago@ron.kissel1978 I agree with @inhawaii with just one minor change. After you get the item back and you go to refund, withhold the original shipping as well as your Ebay fees on that shipping and any packaging material costs you used. You are should allow yourself to break even.
ron.kissel1978
OP6 days agoThank you
cleardhot6puf
·1 week agoAt my Post Office when I pay them for mailing (which I usually do for anything needing insurance over $100 because eBay's excess insurance contractor "ShipCover" is not licensed in California!) they enter the address and immediately tell me if there is a problem w/ the address. I did not realize until just know that this doesn't happen when Seller purchases mailing label direct from eBay! The packing slip and probably Order Details will give you a telephone number for the Buyer, so you could try calling. You could also check w/ online data broker to see what it shows for your buyer by name, address, or phone number. I don't think you can do anything about the address problem until the parcel is returned to you.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoI will try that the next time I send a high dollar item like this. Thank you
adamcartwright
·6 days agoWait a minute -- what's this about ShipCover not being available in California?
I have bought it numerous times for my CA shipments, when I purchase my labels through the eBay app.
books4booklovers
·1 week agoThis happened to me 7 years ago. I kept the item still packaged ( for 7 years). I never heard anything so I relisted it.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank You
gurlcat
·1 week agoJust so you know Return To Sender journeys tend to take longer (sometimes a LOT longer) than normal package movement. This is because USPS is basically returning it for free, so it gets the absolute lowest priority.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank you. I think USPS period is low priority
mam98031
·1 week agoI would disagree. Everything I ship is via USPS and 99.9% of my packages get through safe and sound.
ron.kissel1978
OP3 days agoMost of mine do as well. It is just the "return" trip that takes forever.
profitweb
·1 week agoI put the package aside for 90 days. If I hear nothing, I relist the item and keep the $$. I don't accept returns. I don't pack, ship, and relist for free. If I hear nothing, no response after I reach out, I figure it's fine.
What's your opinion?
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank you
gurlcat
·1 week agoThere's no reason to hold yourself back from relisting the item so long. Why punish yourself like that when the nonsense address thing wasn't your fault, and eBay doesn't consider it your fault? Technically you're not even obliged to refund the item price to the buyer in RTS situations, but I probably would, just to get it behind me. In any case, letting hold you hostage for 90 days is just bonkers.
profitweb
·1 week ago@gurlcat You are 100% right on all counts. It's just my personal comfort on that one.
chapeau-noir
·1 week agoI refund item price because I just feel funny about having the item AND money for something that happens once in a blue moon. But I understand why someone would not refund.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoI agree. If I get the package back, I will send a refund. It is only right.
mtgraves7984
·1 week agoWell... policy states that you have the option of no refund (in this situation) after the package is sent back to you.
Many sellers would refund the item amount (but NOT s&h cost) after the package is sent back to you. Personally, I might wait for a message from your buyer before I refunded. If it doesn't come swiftly, relist it for another buyer. (... As I've also noticed that if an item sells once, it will sell again.)
Many buyers (in this situation) might offer to repurchase with a correct address. If that happens, relist it for them.
Good luck, however it works out.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank you
dhbookds
·1 week agoWait until item is returned before you do anything........
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank you
broto_64
·1 week agoYou will be returned the items and your duties as a seller are completed so the buyer is out of funds.
ron.kissel1978
OP1 week agoThank you
mam98031
·1 week agoWell that is a choice a seller makes. IMHO when a seller doesn't refund the buyer [less shipping and fees], then they are doing the same thing we see complaints about all the time when a buyer files a Chargeback and gets to keep the item and the money. Not sure how anyone justifies that to themselves. It is OK for them to do it but not to have it done to them???? Curious issue!
broto_64
·1 week ago · EditedCurious indeed, corporations don't teach right from wrong, in fact quite the opposite.
mam98031
·6 days agoWhat? It is not Ebay's responsibility to teach morals to anyone. What are you talking about? We should all come with a set of morals. Not that everyone will agree with everyone, but still we should all have morals.
broto_64
·6 days agokey word: should
mam98031
·5 days agoYou think Corporations should be responsible for teaching Morals to people??? Odd IMHO but you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
broto_64
·4 days agoI entered into a contract with ebay, a corporation.
They meet the terms from their end and I meet the terms of said contract from my side of things.
That is where my responsibility starts and ends.