Buyer had insufficient address, now filed for a return

[leareamc]

Had a buyer, who at their fault, input an insufficient address on file with managed payments. Apparently they didn't put the actual number of their apartment, just the complex address. USPS already automatically is sending it back to me. They claim it was for a gift so now they don't need it. First of all, will I get charged for the reshipment to me through Ebay? Secondly, I am fine with giving a refund, but it was free shipping... can I deduct a charge for my shipping to them and what reason would I use? Problem is that I will now have to resell it and pay for shipping again. I would at least like to deduct something to cover the shipping and give a reason through ebay's system to choose as buyer's error. 

[12345jamesstamps]

Wait to see the package returned and what is stated on it for more information.

Anything returned to me tells me the reason on the envelope or package.

I find it hard to believe without an apartment number on it...it is being return.

I live in an apartment building and my items find me without an apartment number.

Buyer opened a claim...of course...and I guess with the tracking...it is being returned.

You have to refund when eBay states it within the time frame of course.

Make sure you get a photo of package as to what is stated on it.

I would not email buyer anymore.

A possible chance....what if it was "refused"? 

That can get your refund back.

As far as shipping...it wasn't in the sale of the item...

Just sit tight and see what gets returned.

[woodrowmo-30]

If the buyer wants a refund, you can issue a refund for the item's cost.
You can choose to deduct the original shipping cost from the refund amount. Clearly communicate this to the buyer.
If the buyer decides not to have the item reshipped and you need to resell it, you can mention in the listing that the previous transaction fell through due to an incorrect address provided by the buyer.
When issuing a refund through eBay, you can include a note explaining that you are deducting the shipping cost due to the buyer's error in providing an incomplete address.

[house*of*paws]

The seller cannot deduct original shipping cost if the seller offered ‘Free Shipping’ in the listing.  In that situation … the ‘Item price’ is the same as the ‘Total price’.

[leareamc]

I'm just going to refund the total cost. My only question now is... does anyone know if USPS charges the cost of a return label to seller's Ebay accounts in cases of insufficient address? 

[buyselljack2016]

@leareamc 

No charge for that return unless possibly for Media Mail. Not sure with that service.

[wastingtime101]

Hey @leareamc . In this situation, you do not have to refund ship cost even if you offered free shipping. You can send a partial refund less ship+fees. Buyers are responsible for providing valid addresses and when they fail to do so, eBay will not force you to refund on a non-receipt claim.

USPS won't charge return ship costs if you used Ground Adv or Priority - they will for Media Mail.

EDIT: If the buyer filed a return not an item not received claim then yes, you have to refund in full. BUT you can and should report the buyer for abuse of the MBG. Your buyer is gaming the system for their error.

[buyselljack2016]

Some carriers are better than others.

You have a good carrier----------------- that knows you. (seems you may have posted that you carrier gets some sort of holiday bonus)

It is quite common to have items returned by USPS when there is no apt. no.

[leareamc]

I called Ebay and they refunded the buyer out of their pocket which is what I hoped would happen once I had a live person hear my side. I also reported the buyer.

[legalbeagle52]

@leareamc 

I also can vouch for the fact the post office does send packages back without an apartment #.  I've had it happen a few times. Luckily I caught it early enough through tracking and was able to call their local post office, halfway across the country. And each time I talked to a person who was willing to look into it and stop it from going back to me. 

I find that it mostly happens with brand new buyers.  So what I do now, whenever I have a new buyer, I look up their address before I send the package out & if it looks like a large bldg. I will reach out to the buyer & ask if they have an apt. # or suite # that I could include.  MOST of the time, they get back to me quickly.

If you have a carrier that knows you, then it won't get returned, but that's not always the case.