A Perfect Storm of Shipping Issues
I'm not really sure how to deal with this odd situation...
I received a message through eBay today from a buyer who ordered something from me before Christmas. I bought and printed the USPS shipping label directly from eBay then dropped the item off at my local Post Office. Everything seemed to be going perfectly fine until I received a message today from the buyer stating that he "could not receive the pants" and asked if I could send it to different address. After a few clarifying questions and checking the tracking information it turns out that not only did the buyer not update his address with eBay but also, when the package made it to the address the status changed to "Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery." From there the package took a little journey from Delaware (the original address location) to Texas (not sure why there) and has now been "Out for Delivery" since January 5th. This wouldn't be that big of an issue as I've had the Post Office misplace packages before but here is where the next problem comes up. The buyer doesn't live in Texas. He lives in Oregon...I'm not really sure how to handle this. Not only is the package now missing but it isn't even close to being in the right state. This is stranger than the time I sent a package to New York and it ended up in Puerto Rico. Any thoughts?
soh.maryl
·3 years agoIf you are saying that you shipped to the address shown when the buyer paid, and there is tracking showing that the package was delivered to that address, then not sure I understand the issue here. If the buyer opens a INR case, you will respond to the case with the tracking # and case should be closed.
ms.rodriguez*
·3 years agoBuy some time and tell the buyer that you will be going to the post office to speak with a supervisor. The postal system will show more information. Go to the post office with the tracking # and have them look it up. I have had a few cases where the package took a detour and then after going to the post office, it will show movement and eventually arrive. Could be a coincidence or could be that just looking up a tracking # made some clerk look for it. If it's parcel (post or select), a box can sit in a bin or a postal sack for days.
Hopefully, you will see it coming back to you. Do what the others said and refund minus the shipping/ebay fees. Tell buyer that they are responsible for having the correct shipping address when they pay.
aswegrow2
·3 years agoI just had this happen and the buyer is using a shipping service for global shipping. I replied with a screen shot of address in the payment and the delivery to location of the address they provided to eBay. And suggested they contact the shipping/shopping service they used to receive updated information.
These services are used by global buyers to help lower duties and other charges. As long as you shipped to address buyer provided you are covered. But do respond with screen shot as eBay can view that you did assist the buyer.
albertabrightalberta
·3 years agoThere's a difference between a seller who uses GSP and buyers who use a freight forwarder.
If a seller uses GSP, they ship to Erlanger, Kentucky. If a buyer uses a freight forwarder (various **bleep** around the country), they lose INR protection once item shows delivery to the FF address.
titipeo
·3 years agoSeveral issues here.
Seller is responsible to ship to address on label, no changes, otherwise your seller's protection is voided
Buyer is responsible to provide accurate delivery address.
Item will most likely be returned to sender/seller since the shipping address is not correct. The Texas thing might be USPS re-route, or a shipping mishandling. At some point USPS will catch up to it and correct it.
You, on the other hand need to determine what's next. Maybe submit a where's my mail to see if it will shake things up with USPS regarding the proper delivery, and hopefully get them to send it back to you. Once received, you will refund buyer item cost only and deduct any eBay fees. If buyer still wants item, then he needs to re-purchase and provide an accurate delivery address.
If buyer submits item not received claim, you need to respond with tracking information, since at this moment the item is still in transit.
albertabrightalberta
·3 years agoIf you printed the shipping label from the order and shipped to the address given by ebay, you have seller protection.
It's not your concern or responsibility if the buyer didn't update their address.
If the buyer opened a claim for INR (item not received), respond with the tracking number showing delivery. In a few days, the case will close and you're funds will be released.
If the buyer hasn't yet opened INR, tell him to do so. Once the claim is opened, respond as directed above.
r_lresale
·3 years agoWhat was the state on the label you printed off ebay? I'm not sure why the package is going in circles unless the buyer tried to forward it?? Was this a high value item? Delaware and Oregon have several freight forwarding addresses maybe the buyer is trying to pull a fast one? As long as the item goes to the address listed with ebay you are supposed to be protected.
wearewanderers
OP3 years agoThe original address was in Delaware which is where it was delivered to someone for final delivery. Now it is in Texas where it has been out for delivery for 4 days. The item isn't too "high value" (about $85).