Question about a refused USPS package issue

[nigel_t_collections]

Hello,

Currently I'm handling a situation with my buyer about an issue with postage due on the package that he didn't want to pay (the shipping label was accidentally labeled with 1oz for the weight; creating a shipping fee that was way too expensive). His post office only delivered an attempted delivery slip with the postage due written on it, so his package was being held at his local post office. He decided he wanted to do a refund and refuse the package, so I asked him to verify with me that it was refused before I accept the refund to him and later he notified me about going to the post office and refusing it. This is where things get a bit fishy...

He also provided me an image of the top of my package with the shipping label shown, but there was nothing on the label marked with "refused'". I also didn't see any update on the tracking about the refusal, but I figured it would take a bit for the system to update. I end up calling his post office to verify it myself, I verified the package details with her, and the assistant ends up telling me there was no one that came in their post office that day to make a refusal, nor was there any label of a refusal on the package. So we ended up created a service request to get the package refused since she wasn't able to do it herself. Hours later I finally see the tracking history updated with the refusal and my buyer notified it to me as well. 

I'm still feeling very sketchy about this situation and I'm honestly worried I'll give him the refund but never receive my package back, especially if I can't see any updates on the return shipment until my post office notifies me that it's back at my post office. Should I just tell him that I want to wait till I get my package back before issuing the refund? I may be over-worrying about this and I don't want to assume that the buyer will somehow get my package back after issuing the refund, but I also don't want to make him think that I won't give his refund back. I'm also unfamiliar with how ebay or USPS handles these situations so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[wooden_flower]

What does the tracking show?  When he actually refusing it, it will say refused on the tracking.

It sounds like he has not opened a not received claim yet, so you have a little bit of time.  I would not refund until the tracking says refused, or until he opens a not received claim. Once the claim is open, you have 3 business days.

If the package is returned to you, you are going to have to pay the postage due.  So if you are really uncomfortable, I would request a package intercept and have it returned to you.  The cost is about $15. Go to usps.com to request the intercept.

[disneyshopper]

On a regular Returns Request, the seller would not refund until the packaged is delivered back to the seller.  Therefore, you do not refund the buyer until the package is returned to you, as it is Refused.  Let the buyer know you will refund fully when the package is returned to you.

Did you confirm that the label had 1 oz of postage on it?  Go to Seller Hub > Orders> Paid & shipped

Click on Order Details, and you can see what you actually paid for the shipping,

[nigel_t_collections]

The tracking does show that it is refused and is being returned to the sender, and I did verify with my post office that the postage fee would be charged once it gets there. I also forgot to mention that he did file a request to me on the 7th about not receiving the package and requests the refund, so I'm guessing today would be the end of the 3 business days.

[nigel_t_collections]

I did forget to mention that he did file a request to me on the 7th about not receiving the package and requests the refund, so it's actually not a normal return request. As far as the label goes, I made a newbie mistake and forgot to add in the dimensions and weight of my package on my listing, so I'm assuming ebay just automatically put in the 1oz on the label and unfortunately I didn't realize it until my buyer received that slip. Now I know not to make that mistake again lol.

[wooden_flower]

The not received claim is the correct claim for your buyer to have filed.  You have 3 business days from when he filed to issue a refund.

Did he not ask you to send him the money to pay the postage due?

You might be able to get customer service to extend the time on the request - talk to a rep and explain that the buyer hasn't officially refused the package yet (if this is the case).  If he has refused it, it should be on its way back to you.