Im clueless as to why buyer gave item back....

[seeryanb]

Ok community I don't know what to think about this.

On sept.3, a buyer in NY paid $105 for an item. I shipped it out on the 5th, and it was delivered on the 8th. 

Fast forward to sept.29th. I get a familiar looking, unexpected fedex package with direct signature required. It turns out to be the item I sent to NY  as stated above.

The package had been opened and retaped. Contents were messily repacked. Everything still works and is accounted for.

Box has 2 new shipping labels. One is an aramex label with JFK as origin and destination with a $40 declared customs value. Shipper details is some Shipping and return express billing company, consignee is listed as me.... the other label is a fed ex label from "customer services" to me.

The return address on the amarex label matches the address I sent package to, the fed ex labels return address is unknown to me. 

I don't know what happened because customer never started a return, and he had NEVER messaged me about ANYTHING!

So this person just paid out of his own pocket to give back an item he paid $100 for???

And why does it have a customs label? 

Everything is very strange.

Anybody ever have this happen?

[heckofagame]

I would just wait it out and see what turns up.

[bennotbill]

Aramex is a freight forwarder that ships to the Arab Emirates. I've had a few that used them.

Maybe it never made it to the customer. With Aramex you have to remember to put the customer code on the parcel as well as their name.

Unless you posted to a standard address and they forwarded it on.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

A lot of information missing here with a whole lot of questions. 

Did you review the buyer's profile, location, and all feedback?

Did you Google map the address?

Who did you use for your shipping service?

Maybe your item was a red flag item that cannot be shipped to other countries?

this is what I found on Aramex: Aramex (Arab American Express) is a leading global shipping company, specialising in express delivery solutions across the world.

I would follow heckofagame comment and don't do anything. 

[inhawaii]

It's safe to assume it's a return.

Why the buyer did not do it the proper way is a mystery.

Like @heckofagame said, I would just wait it out and see what (if anything) happens.

You got your money for the item.

You got your item back.

What do you have to lose?

[dirk12955]

I'd wait.     I'd not do anything till I had some sort of conversation with the buyer.

OP says it "Has a customs label"   He probably got it back because it was rejected by customs.  

If it was in fact going to the UAE.   My son and his wife lived in Dubai for 3 years.    Sending a simple care 

package to them of snacks, candy,  microwave popcorn, magazines, DVDs,  CDs,   and other stuff was so restrictive we finally 'gave up trying.

Toys?   Certain books?     Really impossible to predict  what they would restrict.   

[ten_o_nine]

I would contact the buyer and ask if they initiated the return and the next steps, you don't want a negative for INR or item returned but no refund.

In any case, it has to be resolved, I would not wait it out.

[chapeau-noir]

I've had what I call "silent returns" - item returned to me (repacked and not an RTS situation) for refund without hearing a peep from the buyer.  I would first write the buyer and asked what happened.

[spark-chaser1]

I've used Aramex and they have been great to work with. I have a feeling that there is a customs issue, or an issue with the declaration.

If there is any info missing in the Dec , or any inconsistencies-  it is likely that the package will be opened ( by the customs agency) to inspect the contents. And many times, they are NOT neat about it, often they won't even put the packing materials back in. One and done, and its headed back your way. 

[spark-chaser1]

Meant to add... Aramex hands off to FedEx for delivery of overseas items into the US, and uses FedEx to pick up items to be delivered to their NY hub before shipping overseas, hence the switcheroo.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@ten_o_nine wrote:

I would contact the buyer and ask if they initiated the return and the next steps, you don't want a negative for INR or item returned but no refund.

In any case, it has to be resolved, I would not wait it out.

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It doesn't sound like the OP would lose INR or get negative feedback as long as tracking showed it was delivered to the freight forwarder address on the shipping label. 

What I would do if this was my sale would be to email the buyer, let them know the item was returned to me and that it may be disallowed to forward it to his country. I'd let the buyer know I'll issue a refund less any costs I incurred. 

I don't see a reason that the seller/OP should keep the item and the money. 

[spark-chaser1]

One last random thought... The " delivery" was likely the hand-off to FedEx from Aramex... The buyer may not have even received the item. 

I may be slightly confused, because there are a few missing  details. If your buyer hasn't contacted you in either event, it is best to wait and see. If I were the buyer, I would have communicated one way or another by now... But who knows what people think today.

[stephenmorgan]

Was it by chance a toy you sold?  Some old toys do not meet the labeling requirements to be shipped to other countries.

bennotbill mentioned Aramex is a freight forwarder that ships to the Arab Emirates.

https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/united-arab-emirates-labelingmarking-requirements

Labeling requirements in the UAE apply to all regulated products. Specific labeling requirements are stated in relevant regulation and/or the standards. Highlights include:

• Warning labels on toys are required to be in Arabic or in Arabic and English.