INR...but it’s at the local post office

[call_me_caro]

I received notification tonight that a buyer opened a request because they hadn’t received their item.

I noticed that delivery was attempted 5 days ago, but said “Receptacle Full/Item Oversized”. They live in an apt, so I figured they would go pick it up.

The buyer was nice in his message, but stated that he left the slip and the post office still hasn’t delivered.

I kindly let him know to attempt to contact his local post office by phone or in person to get this situated, as there is nothing I can do on my end at the moment. I even re-uploaded tracking and quoted a blurb from Usps.com

What I’m confused about is WHY open a case against me when it’s sitting at the local post office? I’m not going to refund his money only for him to go pick it up!

Should I call eBay about this tomorrow? I haven’t heard back from him, but am baffled about the opening of a case versus sending me a regular message 🤦🏻‍♀️

[chrysylys]

Nope.  Not scammin' over a $10 vase unless they're trying tio get their schtick down for later use.  More likely a buyer who works hours beyond when their PO is open.

But that's between the buyer and their PO.

[call_me_caro]

Called Ebay and they wouldn’t close the case today. Stated they need to give buyer time to pick-up. They did say I would win the case, if it came to that. 

[papermoneyforme]

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@call_me_caro wrote:

Called Ebay and they wouldn’t close the case today. Stated they need to give buyer time to pick-up. They did say I would win the case, if it came to that. 

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Don't believe the CS. They will tell you what you want to hear to get you off the phone.

Has the buyer actually escalated the case?

[call_me_caro]

No escalation, but no response via message either.

I mean, it’s not that hard to schedule re-delivery. I could do it online for goodness sakes!

buyer has left “positive” feedback for sellers with often sketchy, negative comments, so I have no idea what I’m dealing with here.

[dtexley3]

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@papermoneyforme wrote:

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@call_me_caro wrote:

Called Ebay and they wouldn’t close the case today. Stated they need to give buyer time to pick-up. They did say I would win the case, if it came to that. 

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Don't believe the CS. They will tell you what you want to hear to get you off the phone.

Has the buyer actually escalated the case?

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Did they tell you what day they could close the case if the buyer doesn't pick it up?  Be VERY insistent that you want to know this, if you let it go 1 second too long and the bots take over they will very likely find in favor of the buyer.

[gramophone-georg]

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@call_me_caro wrote:

Called Ebay and they wouldn’t close the case today. Stated they need to give buyer time to pick-up. They did say I would win the case, if it came to that. 

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Call them back. The buyer has already had 5 days and they KNOW where the package is and why. Keep calling till you get the case closed in your favor. This is going to bite you hard... I can just feel it. Typical eBay aid and abet of buyer theft and kicking the seller with a defect.

Sheeeesh.

They did say I would win the case, if it came to that. 

PLEASE do not fall for this. They wanted you off the phone.

[papermoneyforme]

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@call_me_caro wrote:

No escalation, but no response via message either.

I mean, it’s not that hard to schedule re-delivery. I could do it online for goodness sakes!

buyer has left “positive” feedback for sellers with often sketchy, negative comments, so I have no idea what I’m dealing with here.

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I would call back around 10:00AM and make sure you get a US rep, not from overseas. If they will not close it in your favor, ask how long you have to wait for the buyer to pick it up. 5 days seems like more than enough time.

If I remember, they will only hold it for 15 days before returning. That could be what they buyer is hoping will happen.

Watch very carefully for an escaltion because Ebay will decide almost immediately in the buyer's favor and you will get an defect which is very serious.

[call_me_caro]

From what I gathered they wouldn’t close it until Monday, Nov 13th., which I’m assuming is the auto-close.

The post office won’t return it to me until Nov 17th, so this is where I feel stuck.

[papermoneyforme]

Have you actually replied to the case and input the required tracking info?

[jbbowers12012]

AGREED with getitright-----.  same thing happened to a friend a while back. case closed while item was still sitting at post office. ebay refunded payment then buyer picked up item. my friend got caught napping & paid for it!!!    GOOD LUCK!!

[call_me_caro]

Oh yes, I did that within 20 minutes of receiving notification last night!

[chrysylys]

Though in most cases you wnat to keep everything within the message system here, have you thought about simply calling the buyer?  It's been said that these messages don't always go through, so maybe they're not replying because they never got them.

[papermoneyforme]

Now you have to be careful because if you call and the rep thinks you want to escalate the case, you could leave yourself wide open to a unresolved dispute.

Ebay is becoming more and more famous for these type of situations as buters are gods and sellers are peons.

It might be worthwhile posting your situation on chat and get one of the mods involved.

tyler@ebay.com

[call_me_caro]

I called again and they gave me the same run-around. I asked to speak with a manager stating buyer had five days to pick it up and they promptly said they would close the case right now. 

I received a confirmation email that says they reviewed the case and have closed it without any refund to the buyer.

What a run-around. Props to you all that run stores and sell more than casually.

Now, Hopefully the buyer picks it up.

[gramophone-georg]

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@call_me_caro wrote:

I called again and they gave me the same run-around. I asked to speak with a manager stating buyer had five days to pick it up and they promptly said they would close the case right now. 

I received a confirmation email that says they reviewed the case and have closed it without any refund to the buyer.

What a run-around. Props to you all that run stores and sell more than casually.

Now, Hopefully the buyer picks it up.

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GOOD.

It really has less to do with running stores and selling more than casually than understanding that eBay is not your friend and will throw you under the bus any chance they get, though, it seems.

This SHOULD have been a slam- dunk. Buyer didn't have a proper secured delivery spot. Delivery was attempted. All this can be seen online. eBay policy says IN WRITING that this is no INR. And yet... 

A few rules to live by when dealing with eBay:

1. Even though YOU are their paying customer, they'll do everything they can to kneecap you.

2. If a CSR tells you it's OK to relist something that eBay pulled... DON'T.

3. If a rep tells you not to worry... WORRY.

4. If a rep tells you "you will win if...", you're toast. You need to win WHILE YOU ARE ON THE PHONE.

5. You need to have policies in front of you so you can lead the CSR to it and quote directly. Even then it will likely take several phone calls to get anything done.

It's a strange alternate reality here on eBay in which satisfying eBay and watching out for eBay's kneecap patrols and landmines will consume more of your time than actually doing what you are here to do. It's sad but true. Look for it to intensify for the holiday season.

To hijack Dire Straits:

"This ain't sellin'.... this is how they do ya

Defects for nothin' and swift kicks for free."