eBay

b86fiero · ‎11-18-2021

Details: Item purchased 10/11 by new buyer with zero feedback. Shipped 10/11 USPS with tracking to address buyer provided to eBay at checkout. (eBay shipping label). 10/16 item arrived at buyer's PO box address in Washington, DC. USPS notified buyer to pick it up. Buyer did not.

10/22 USPS again notifies buyer to pick up package. Buyer did not. On 11/1 USPS notifies buyer if package not picked up it will be returned to sender. Buyer did not pick it up.

I am assuming it is in the USPS system somewhere on its way back to me. As of today, 11/18, it has not arrived. Tracking does not show package was ever picked up.

Buyer opened an INR (item not received) case 11/18 and demands a full refund.

I responded through eBay to the case with the USPS tracking number and included the tracking and buyer not picking up information in the comment section.

I did everything right as a seller but will lose money in the end. Even if my brand new merchandise is returned to me. I offer free shipping so if I have to refund I will lose almost $7 in postage plus $1.12 for the bubble mailer plus the cost of the clear protective merchandise sleeve (non-reusable) and the usual office supply materials.

I am leaving Tuesday morning for 2 weeks to visit my kids and grandkids in Florida. I am hoping the merchandise makes it back to me by Monday so I can deal with it.

What would you do? Would you refund now or Monday and hope to get your merchandise back at some point? I immediately blocked the buyer id.

Everybody knows what a mess the post office sorting hubs are this time of year. Heck, I send a utility payment the end of September that is still orbiting in the Detroit hub. Just got a late payment notice with late fee charged. All regular monthly bills are now on automatic payment from my bank account.

mtgraves7984 · ‎11-18-2021

Would you refund now or Monday and hope to get your merchandise back at some point?

@b86fiero

I'm in the camp who likes to keep my money as long as I can. So, of the choices... I pick Monday. 🙂

santamonicajeweler · ‎11-18-2021

-Don't refund

-Put your eBay shop on leave when in vacation

-Package will get back to you sooner or later

- You're being scammed

-Make sure you have upload the tracking information to the 'item not received' case

Check into your case once in a while when you're away. You need to receive the item back then issue refund. You could do that remotely

b86fiero · ‎11-19-2021

Does eBay seller protection not cover this? I'm confused. Item arrived at the address the buyer provided but the buyer did not pick it up. Can the buyer blame me because she did not go to her post office box and pick up the package?

I figure it's a scam of some kind since she had zero feedback when she ordered and the only feedback she has received is mine from Oct 11.

domin-tomas · ‎11-19-2021

This happened to me awhile back and it was considered as delivered. The buyer got no refund and I received the item back. It might be different now, but I would look into it. I would not refund until I got it back at the least. But this all comes down to if this was delivered to the address first also.

monster-deals · ‎11-19-2021

@b86fiero wrote:

What would you do?

I wouldn't don't do anything period until I have the item back in the condition it was sent in.

The buyer opted themselves out of the MBG.

Once I get the item back I can do a partial refund or offer to ship it again at the buyers expense, or do nothing at all.

santamonicajeweler · ‎11-19-2021

I am always cautious with Post Box addresses. This Buyer is playing with you and the system. Buyer had all opportunities to pick-up the item and she didn't. Then at the moment when USPS sends the item back, Buyer opens an item not received case. Very troubling

Seller protection starts with Seller. If a Seller is scammed, there is no one to blame but Seller. You knew she had zero feedback when you sold the item to her. You gave her benefit of the doubt. You trusted her but she didn't want to play it straight. Who knows, she might have just simply changed her mind!?

Take care,

Have a nice & safe Thanksgiving

b86fiero · ‎11-20-2021

I contacted eBay directly and eBay closed the case in my favor.

Buyer did not receive a refund and my account is not affected.

BTW: I offer free returns for any reason. There is no reason to blame the seller for a scamming buyer.

cellguy215 · ‎11-22-2021

Attempted delivery or available for pickup counts as delivered for item not received cases. Just respond to the case with the tracking number and ebay will either place the case on hold to give it more time or close the case in your favor.

Don't refund just because the buyer doesn't want to put on shoes and go to the post office.