eBay

isource_20 · ‎04-08-2021

On March 25, I sold an item to a buyer with 39 positive feedback in the past month and zero negative feedback. They asked me if the item was sealed before buying.

The USPS tracking showed the item as out for delivery on 8:38am on March 30, but switched an hour after to “Available for Pickup”. I didn’t request this and it didn’t say anything like “delivery failed”.

I sent them a reminder to pick up the package on April 3rd, but they did not respond and still have not picked up the item. It says to schedule redelivery before April 13th or the package will be returned to sender.

The funds from this are still on hold in PayPal and were supposed to be released 1 day after the tracking confirms delivery.

What should I do? Will I be negatively affected by this?

femmefan1946 · ‎04-08-2021

First buyers cannot get negative feedback, so having only positive FB is no big deal.

You sold on March25 and the tracking shows attempted delivery on Wedesday,March 30.

But for some reason it was returned to the PO for pickup.

If it were Signature Confirmed Delivery this would be normal. The carrier will not leave a high value package out for porch pirates.

As of Saturday, April 3, it had not been picked up.

You have reminded the buyer.

USPS tells you that if it is not picked up by April 13 it will be returned to you.

There may be a charge for the return.

I would send the buyer one more message letting them know that if it is not picked up by April 13, it will be returned to you.

And.

That eBay does not apply the Money Back Guarantee to Undeliverable Mail, so you are not obligated to refund anything.

You may want to be a little more gentle and polite than that.

Personally, in that situation I would refund only the purchase price, not any shipping fees (including shipping fees that were part of a Free Shipping price) and certainly not any eBay or Paypal fees.

And of course, no refund until you do have the item back which is not a priority for the USPS at any time, and even less these difficult days.

Meanwhile, you have the money and they do not have the product.

This is not actually your problem is it?

coastaltechsolution · ‎04-08-2021

Either the buyer has mail on hold at the PO or a PO Box that cannot fit the delivery so mail is available for pick up.

Not much you can do if you have already contacted buyer and they have not responded or picked item up.

If it reaches time and the item is returned to you make sure to save the tracking info and a screen shot of the return.

Sounds like you did your job and right now there is not much you can do but wait.

slippinjimmy · ‎04-08-2021

@isource_20 wrote:
On March 25, I sold an item to a buyer with 39 positive feedback in the past month and zero negative feedback. They asked me if the item was sealed before buying.

The USPS tracking showed the item as out for delivery on 8:38am on March 30, but switched an hour after to “Available for Pickup”. I didn’t request this and it didn’t say anything like “delivery failed”.

I sent them a reminder to pick up the package on April 3rd, but they did not respond and still have not picked up the item. It says to schedule redelivery before April 13th or the package will be returned to sender.

The funds from this are still on hold in PayPal and were supposed to be released 1 day after the tracking confirms delivery.

What should I do? Will I be negatively affected by this?

You don't need to do anything except understand that for some people getting to the post office to pick up the package is not something that is at the top of their priority list. It's also possible (but rare) that they picked it up but the counter person didn't scan it.

In any event, the buyer is aware of what they need to do, they have until the 13th and if it comes back to you then you can deal with that situation when it happens.

Worst that can happen is it comes back to you, if that happens you can either convince the buyer to pay for shipping again and resend or give them a partial refund to recover your shipping expenses.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

bbravo65 · ‎04-08-2021

...USPS won't charge sender when returning unclaimed packages...

azaz_8302 · ‎04-08-2021

@isource_20 wrote:
The USPS tracking showed the item as out for delivery on 8:38am on March 30, but switched an hour after to “Available for Pickup”.

I sent them a reminder to pick up the package on April 3rd, but they did not respond and still have not picked up the item.

Stop @isource_20 contacting your buyer. It is very likely that the item was delivered that hour later.

You need to call your buyer's post office. Google for the fax number at that zip code, like this:

Google: USPS 27511 fax

Call that number and ask if the item is actually available for pickup, or if they can add a Delivered scan. Even if not, eBay considers Available for pickup to be Delivered, so if you buyer files an Item Not Received case, it will close with no refund, and feedback is blocked/removed if already left.