High Value Item Returned to Sender - HELP
I am in a strange situation. I sold a large, vintage, high value item (roughly $2,000). I shipped it via UPS with signature confirmation. UPS attempted to deliver the item three times, unsuccessfully. I tried to get in touch with the buyer via messages after the second missed delivery attempt, and they were slow to respond (think, days, slow), to the point that the item sat with UPS for a bit and then was ultimately sent back to me. NOW, they are frustrated and up in arms. I have remained engaged with them and am trying to make this frustrating situation right for everyone, but they are now being argumentative. It was not an insignificant amount of money to ship it the first time, and I relayed that I would be more than happy to split the cost of sending it a second time, but they have outright refused, and are coming off in their replies to me as if they're offended that I suggested such a ridiculous thing. I do not want to keep the item and refund and relist. I want the buyer to get their item.
What are my options? The buyer will have a difficult time opening an "item not received" case, because tracking shows several delivery attempts. They will not be able to open an "Item not as described" case, because again, tracking shows that it was not actually delivered.
I wanted to be equitable and fair, in splitting the second shipment, but that isn't going to happen.
I am resigned in knowing that I will have to pay to ship it again myself, but at that point, what options does the buyer have to open any sort of a case if there are any further issues? Generally, the ebay money back guarantee only applies to a first shipment, if I'm not mistaken.
What should I do? Do I just pony up and send it again? Let them try to file a case? Do they even have grounds to do so?
I have shipped and sold hundreds of items with zero issues like this before, and speaking to an agent was absolutely no help at all.
fm2000
·6 months agoWhen you get the item back, refund them the item price (whether you withhold the shipping is at your discretion, they may do a chargeback for it and you will have another headache to deal with), and then block them. Do not sell it to them again, not only was there a delivery issue, but their attitude indicates they are trouble; not being there to sign for it could be an honest mistake or something could have come up, but being angry at you when you did nothing wrong is unacceptable. Block them, and sell it to someone who is capable of acting like a professional.
wastingtime101
·6 months agoDon't forget you'll be billed for return shipping @hodycanna , so I'll add to the advice provided and say wait for the item to come back, then refund subtracting shipping both ways + nonrefundable fees.
lakefor94
·6 months ago@hodycanna
This may not end well even if you reshipped the item, no matter who pays for whatever as far as reshipping goes.
With the persnickity attitude of the buyer and since you have the $2k item back, if it were me, I would refund less the original shipping cost, right away.
Make the buyer go to his credit card issuer if he wants to persue the refund of the shipping costs.
If the buyer ends up filing a INAD return case with eBay, at least you have your 2k item in hand already. (They can file INAD whether they have the item or not)
You already know you would win a INR case with the attempted delivery scan......
redmodelt
·6 months agoIgnore them for now. When you get the item back or if you have it back in hand, refund less the original shipping and add them to your blocked list. This reads as the buyer messed up not you so is on them.
Block buyers from your listings | eBay
tools*
·6 months agoI would store the item until they pay the cost of re-shipping. You don't have to refund their money or do anything else.
ryry-jj
·7 months agoWhen you said, "I do not want to keep the item and refund and relist. I want the buyer to get their item. "
Add to that the buyer isn't happy to split a reshipping with you, you haven't left yourself many choices.