Buyer asked me to ship to a different address. Need help

[zigzagg37]

Hi there, I'm a regular eBay seller but this is the first time I've encountered this situation.

I had a guy purchase an item and pay for it.  I have gone ahead and purchased/ printed the shipping label, (but have not made it to the post office to actually ship the item just yet).  The buyer messaged me notifying me that the address on his profile (and subsequently on the shipping label) is old.  He told me the correct new address to ship it to.

I know that shipping an item to a different address is advised against as it nullifies seller protection.  I responded kindly to the buyer saying that I can either go ahead and mail it to his existing address, or suggested that i cancel the order and issue him a refund.  Meanwhile, i made the suggestion that he update his address on his eBay profile to the new correct one, and can then repurchase the item from me.

He has not responded to me since.  I'm feeling a little suspect about this whole situation and want to make sure I'm being smart in protecting myself as a seller.

My question:  What is the best course of action as a seller?  Do I wait a few days, giving him a chance to respond, and then cancel the order and issue a refund (and risk some negative feedback)?  Or do I send it to the old address and risk a complaint that "i never received it."  Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[tsme35]

Wait until you have to ship out, if he doesn't respond, then void the label and cancel due to problem with address. Then send an email to the buyer explaining per ebay rules you have to ship to address provided and can't be changed.

[ckimodog]

@zigzagg37 

It's a busy time of year for a lot of people, give the buyer a few days to respond and stick to your guns.  Chances are it's a gift for someone.  Tell the buyer to add the address to their shipping locations.  I have 2 addresses on my account and both are verified. If they can't, tell them you are only allowed to ship to the address on the invoice.  Protect yourself.  

Good Luck & Happy Holidays

[kensgiftshop]

First, make sure it was the buyer that sent the message, not a scammer claiming to be the buyer.

If it is the buyer, you'll have to void the label and cancel the order and use a problem with their address as the reason.

[inhawaii]

I would do exactly what @tsme35 said above.

[djvp53]

If it's a gift for someone, the buyer isn't going to get it by Christmas and then the buyer will want to cancel or return it next week. I would cancel due to problem with buyer's address.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

I would cancel with 'issue buyers address' and relist.

Maybe entertain blocking them since they have not responded. 

buyers need to take responsibility in updating their address. I'm sure they updated their mailing address with USPS, utilities, employer, and so on if they actually moved. 

Just an old scam that keeps recycling. 

[dbfolks166mt]

Wait until you have to ship out, if he doesn't respond, then void the label and cancel due to problem with address. Then send an email to the buyer explaining per ebay rules you have to ship to address provided and can't be changed.

     Also include in the note that if they are still interested in the item you have it relisted, provide the item number, and the information ckimodog mentioned. I have about a dozed addresses I ship to mostly for Amazon purchases since I don't buy much on eBay these days. 

[a_c_green]

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@zigzagg37 wrote:

The buyer messaged me notifying me that the address on his profile (and subsequently on the shipping label) is old.  He told me the correct new address to ship it to.

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@zigzagg37 : Was the sending ID of that message the same as that of your buyer? This makes all the difference. The address-redirection request scam is very common, sent out in bulk from throwaway accounts to sellers of recent high-value transactions. If the message you received is not from the ID of your buyer, it's a fake and can be ignored.

[m60driver]

It is a judgment call but I certainly would not change the address with some of the more expensive items you have sold over the past few days.

[12345jamesstamps]

It depends on the price of the item....under $20. I would. 

Buyer has good feedback and been around for awhile I would.

New buyer little feedback nope. Cancel due to buyer's address.

[ittybitnot]

The buyer messaged me notifying me that the address on his profile (and subsequently on the shipping label) is old.  He told me the correct new address to ship it to.

@zigzagg37 

Does the ID of your buyer match the ID that sent you that message?   If they are not the same, report the user (phony ID message sender) right on the message page itself under the Action tab, and ship it to your real buyer.  

If it is from the same ID, you should cancel the sale "problem with the buyer's address" and have them repurchase it with the address they wish to use.  Void the original label, and make a new one if you are paid again.   Otherwise, you are left holding the bag should this buyer file an 'item not received' claim.  

Newbie sellers are often victims of the "change of address" scam as well as the "text me/message me at xxxxx" scams.  They are the easiest to avoid.