Freight forwarder gets an "Available for pickup" status

[bigdeals.etc]

A buyer messaged me saying they didn't receive the item yet. I can only assume that he means it didn't arrive to the freight forwarder and he just doesn't want to tell me he is overseas.

I checked tracking and it just says "out for delivery", then 30 minutes later has the status "available for pickup." What now? Do freight forwarders even go to PO's to pick up packages for their clients? And if so, how? The package is addressed to the client's name and not the freight forwarder... won't they need valid ID to claim the package?

[Anonymous]

AFAIK you need both ID and the PS 3849 form. I suppose someone could just forge (not condoning this btw) line 6 on the form, which is the proxy section.

[kingslugger718]

Let me know if you figure this out. 

I'm in the exact same situation. Is the buyer's FF in Miami too? Same exact thing happened to my tracking.

My situation is worse because the sale price was over $750 and requires a signature. It's been siting in the post office for 5 days. Today the tracking status changed to "Schedule for re-delivery". 

How the hell am I responsible for that?

[sensualfriendz]

Could be a scammer...contact your buyer and if the live Florida..

[itscalledapostingid]

I would hope that since the FF is in the business of receiving packages for others they have a process for picking them up.

I have had that happen once with one of those places in FL. I noticed it was availlable for pickup then picked up later the same day.

[kingslugger718]

The guy barely speaks English. I've messaged him multiple times to inform him his package is ready for pickup at the post office. No response.

It's a freight forwarder address so he probably does not live in the US.

[bigdeals.etc]

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@kingslugger718 wrote:

Let me know if you figure this out. 

I'm in the exact same situation. Is the buyer's FF in Miami too? Same exact thing happened to my tracking.

My situation is worse because the sale price was over $750 and requires a signature. It's been siting in the post office for 5 days. Today the tracking status changed to "Schedule for re-delivery". 

How the hell am I responsible for that?

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Yup. Miami. I’ll keep you guys posted on here what happens. No SC though, item is around $20.

[papa486516]

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@bigdeals.etc wrote:

A buyer messaged me saying they didn't receive the item yet. I can only assume that he means it didn't arrive to the freight forwarder and he just doesn't want to tell me he is overseas.

I checked tracking and it just says "out for delivery", then 30 minutes later has the status "available for pickup." What now?

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It's important as you grow your relationship and continue to step out with eBay, that you ask each buyer in the soon-to-be-MF-taxed Florida and the still no-sales-tax haven states with freight forwarders, if the buyer is here in the US, or if they are reshipping your item.

That's because if eBay were to step out on you and step in on a case, eBay assumes the buyer is employed by the freight forwarder, has the freight forwarder hold their items for local pick up, or the freight forwarder themselves bought your item.

So if the buyer is planning mayhem, they will e.g. say they're visiting here or won't respond. But all other buyers will be honest. You'll need this affirmation in writing because if "The buyer used third-party freight forwarding or mail redirection" they are not covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee here.

To the second point, brian@ebay says here:

To reiterate, attempted delivery, available for pickup, refused, and any others that indicate the item is available or that the recipient is the cause of potential delivery issues would be considered "Delivered" for the purposes of an eBay Money Back Guarantee case.