Buyer refusing to pick up item at Post Office which requires a signature for delivery

[armhin-74]

I recently sold an item for $1000 and eBay suggested shipping with signature confirmation.  I did this and the item has been at their local post office for 1 week now and is available for pickup or re-delivery.  I updated the buyer twice regarding the shipping updates.  After updating tonight to remind about pickup or scheduling a re-delivery,  I received this message from buyer:

"What are you talking about!!!!!!  I'm not doing any of that stuff.  What ever you messed up (intentionally messed up) is all on you.  Resolve this now or will be open a case against you"

Paypal has a 2 week hold on the funds, but the buyer did pay promptly after the purchase.  Looking for suggestions on the next course of action from here.   TIA!

[pburn]

Did the shipping details on your item listing indicate you'd be sending it with a signature required? Or was it a surprise to the buyer?

I'm never around for my postal deliveries. If I ordered something and then found out it was sent with a signature required, I'd be, frankly, really put out. Especially if I had to go to the post office during this pandemic.

If you stated it in your listing, however, the buyer doesn't have much room to argue.

[webuyjunkco]

pburn has a point, which is why for expensive items I always put some form of disclosure that there will be signature confirmation. Not only does it let the buyer know that they'll need to be home to get the item but also weaves out all the other shady users who want to scam you saying that they never received your item.

I suggest you make a template that you copy and paste to all of your listing to cover your butt next time.

If the buyer is so picky, just refund him and have your item back to you. Add that cost that you lost of shipping to the new price of the relisted item and wallah!

It's a win win. I know it sucks but hey, at least its resolvable. It would be worse if the person lied they never got the item or if the item got lost in transit. 

[klhmdg]

Anything over $750 must have a signature..

I would reply (nicely) to the buyer that there is no mistake and anything over $750 must have a signature.

They can either arrange to go to the PO or have it re-delivered when they will be home.

IF the buyer files any case just upload tracking. Make sure to keep all the emails.

I would also after the tracking is loaded in the case "try" to get a hold of eBay CS.

[a_c_green]

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@armhin-74 wrote:

I recently sold an item for $1000 and eBay suggested shipping with signature confirmation.

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Let's be clear here: eBay requires shipping with Signature Confirmation for sales above $750 like yours. Without it, the buyer could win an Item Not Received dispute even if basic Delivery Confirmation said that the post office had delivered it.

You had a Best Offer accepted for an asking price that was way above $750 to begin with, so the listing should have said that SC would be required, and reminding the buyer of it after shipping might have been good, too. As it stands now, the buyer thinks you made a mistake somehow, so it's up to you to clearly and politely state that you're sorry for any confusion, but a signature is required by eBay for a sale above $750. Make it clear from your wording that it's not your rule, but eBay's. He can arrange delivery to his place, or go and pick it up.

[pburn]

Just looked at your listing. I don't see any mention anywhere of shipping with a signature required. I can totally understand why your buyer is upset. I would be, too. While eBay requires a signature for transactions over $750 to insure seller protection, not mentioning it to your buyer at some point in the transaction--like when eBay told you to ship it that way--was not a good idea. You could've easily contacted your buyer about it before you shipped.

Some people work. Some people have transportation challenges. Some people don't want to go to public locations during this pandemic. Some people have obligations that prohibit them from running unexpected errands.

As far as eBay is concerned, I don't know on whose side they'd land if a case is filed. Your buyer refused to pick up the item at the post office, so that usually releases the seller from further obligation; however, since you did not tell your buyer about the signature requirement, there's a chance they'd favor your buyer in order to insure s/he had a positive buying experience.

You might consider allowing the package to come back to you and refunding 100% of your buyer's payment.

Tough lesson to learn.

[acrc3113]

You can go to the post office web site and have them redirect the package back to you, as long as it is not out for delivery. It will cost you a fee and priority mail rates to get it back, but at least buyer cant claim NAD later. You will have to establish an account with them and provide them a CC number. I wouldn't feel comfortable having an expensive item put in a mail box or dropped on a porch. Soon as you get your item back, refund the buyer.

[gwzcomps]

I believe most carriers require signature confirmation on high value items.  With FedEx signature is required for items insured over $500.  eBay has the option to uncheck the box, but I am not sure if FedEx would honor that.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@armhin-74 

You could forward your buyer a copy of eBay's policy for high valued items. Sometimes folks need to see things in writing.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

-Lotz

[pburn]

In my Message #6, I stated:

"While eBay requires a signature for transactions over $750 to insure seller protection . . . "

I think the fact that it's an eBay requirement to maintain seller protection trumps any individual carrier's requirements, whether that be USPS (as used by the OP), UPS, FedEx or an Uber driver. 

(Made that last one up.)

[mam98031]

Actually if you want seller protection, signature confirmation is required for anything $750+.

I'm not sure about international shipments but on US shipments we get a little pink slip in the mailbox if a package was attempted to be delivered but couldn't for whatever reason there might be.  

We can then go to the PO to pick it up the next day or we can write a date on the pink slip for a re-delivery at a time we say we will be home.  Maybe that is an option for them too.

Either way, the delivery attempt proves delivery for Ebay.  So if that package doesn't get picked up and starts its way back to you, the buyer should not be able to win an INR as long as the tracking shows the delivery attempt.

[youkidd_0]

Personally I would reply one time to the buyer something to the effect of:

Dear Buyer,

I am so sorry you are unhappy with your purchase, please understand ebay policy requires signature confirmation for all shipments over $750 which is why this option was chosen.  Please you may pick up your item at the Post Office or possibly arrange re-delivery for when you are home to sign for it, you may of course always leave the package and open a case.

Thank you,

Seller

That being said, I believe if the buyer refuses to sign then the package will be returned to you.  I'm not real clear whether this constitutes shipment refusal but what I do know is if a buyer refuses the shipment they lose all buyer protections.

[postingid7659]

What the last guy said. It doesn't matter one iota what the listing said, eBay REQUIRES a signature based on the value of this item.

The buyer can either sign for the item, or kiss his money goodbye, and should be informed as such. 

[kds99]

It sounds like the buyer is totally torqued off and will not cooperate with you no matter what you do. Just let the item ship back, block the buyer and never communicate with him again. You will get the item back and have better luck next time it sells. Hopefully any retaliation eBay can reverse for you.