Package returned as unclaimed, How much to refund?

[anasazirose]

I sold an item for $9.99, shipping charged was $9.65, tax was $1.62, total paid by buyer was $21.26.  Ebay credited me  $19.64 ($21.26 - $1.62 tax), then took their fees of $3.04 ($2.74 + 30¢) , for a net of $16.60.  Actual shipping label was $8.59.  All this left a net profit of $8.01. 

How much is required to be refunded?  From what I've read, because the buyer didn't claim the item from USPS after they left a note to contact them for pick up or redelivery, I don't have to refund shipping. 

If I refund $9.99, I will have actual losses of $1.98 , unless ebay issues me a partial credit of their fee ($9.99 +.82 tax = $10.81 * 12.9% = $1.39 partial fee), then I will have an actual loss of 59¢.

Do I offer to resend this to the buyer at their cost, risking another failed delivery?  Do I just 'wait and see', risking an item not received claim, or do I just refund $9.99, or the $8.01? 

I welcome opinions, but I am really looking for what ebay requires.  TIA, Amanda

[klhmdg]

I would refund the item price only, once you receive a claim.

I think that today 5-19, eBay is not giving fees back on partial refunds.

I think that the partial fees refunded doesnt start until 5-25.

Might be best to sit tight and try to wait to refund until the buyer files OR the 25th.

[lamber9347]

@anasazirose To clarify for you, eBay will not "require" you to refund. Buyers are responsible for having a correct address and picking up their items, so you are not in the wrong here in regards to eBay policy. Buyer has lost the money back guarantee as well. However, the correct thing to do is to refund the buyer as they never received the item they paid for. 

If buyer goes to their credit card and opens an item not received claim they will receive back the $21.26. The credit card company will only side with their customer, which is the buyer here, and will not deduct your expenses. 

If I were you, I would refund the amount paid for the item, $9.99 but not the shipping as technically the shipping was used. The fees are minimal in my estimation, but that would be my personal choice. You might get this buyer back and sell to them again. Who knows why they didn't pick up the item, illness, death in the family, some other large issue? You can determine that part when you hear back from them. Best of luck to you.... 

[12345jamesstamps]

I get stuff returned every month.

I wait for buyer to notified me.

If no response I just hold it for a few months.

People move or pass away or on vacation or other reasons.

Refund the cost of item person bought it. EBay is good about giving you a credit of refund.

But I would wait for person to contact you. 

Probably wouldn't send it again unless they paid for postage.

Exceptions would be like Australia just reopening for packages or a country which post office didn't 

realize is a country which sending it again wouldn't cost anything.

[anasazirose]

How can I invoice them for the shipping?