Is there a scam that involves not picking up an item from the post office?

[fairmargo]

First, if this subject has already been covered, I apologize.

I have a buyer that I am a bit suspicious about.  
Is there any known scam where a package never goes to the address it was shipped to and is diverted to the post office and not picked up?  There is a big red circle 🔴 in the tracking.

thank you. 

[frodobagginskennedy]

They may reach out to you and say they have not received the package and demand a refund.  Once you refund they immediately run to the PO and pick it up.  DO not refund until you have the package in YOUR hand

[albertabrightalberta]

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@fairmargo wrote:

First, if this subject has already been covered, I apologize.

I have a buyer that I am a bit suspicious about.  
Is there any known scam where a package never goes to the address it was shipped to and is diverted to the post office and not picked up?  There is a big red circle 🔴 in the tracking.

thank you. 

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If tracking shows that the item is at the post office awaiting pickup and the buyer doesn't pick it up, that DOES count as delivery and if the buyer files INR, you submit that tracking and you'll win the case. 

Buyers can't get their money back if they refuse to accept their items.

[fairmargo]

That is good.  I think I had also read that items not picked up were returned to the sender after a certain period of time.  I am suspicious as I just shipped  two more expensive items. Buyer indicated she needed them in a big hurry and I upgraded the shipping as a favor.  Now, it sits at the post office.  I sent a follow-up message and no response - after previous constant requests.  

[dhbookds]

Yes, the PO will return to you if the buyer doesn't pick up.........there should be a "notice left" notation on the tracking......  The return may take a wk or so before it happens...... and the buyer may have weather/personal problems....Covid/accident ........that is delaying the pickup, so I wouldn't assume it's gone bad til the return.

[itsjustasprain]

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@fairmargo wrote:

That is good.  I think I had also read that items not picked up were returned to the sender after a certain period of time.  I am suspicious as I just shipped  two more expensive items. Buyer indicated she needed them in a big hurry and I upgraded the shipping as a favor.  Now, it sits at the post office.  I sent a follow-up message and no response - after previous constant requests. 

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It does sound like they may be hoping to grab the package after getting an Item not received refund if they are not simply sick at the moment. The Usps will return unclaimed packages after about 3 weeks give or take a week. But do not be bullied into refunding without getting your package back first. Keep us posted on any new developments.

[m60driver]

This would be a pretty lame scam as the MBG is voided when an item is either undeliverable or is not picked up.  You can wait until the item is returned to you and then it is up to you how much you want to refund taking into account your expenses.  In these situations, and in most situations, I never contact the buyer and just wait for the Ebay system to work its way through the process, responding to Ebay questions when necessary, such as providing tracking information..

[theaccomplishedmusician]

It is not true you will win the case automatically.  I just lost a case for the exact thing

[sextons-sweet-deals]

just an FYI

Don't always rely on what tracking says in eBay (it is delayed). It is best to go the shipping service website and get the most current up-to-date information. 

[Anonymous]

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@fairmargo wrote:

First, if this subject has already been covered, I apologize.

I have a buyer that I am a bit suspicious about.  
Is there any known scam where a package never goes to the address it was shipped to and is diverted to the post office and not picked up?  There is a big red circle 🔴 in the tracking.

thank you. 

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If delivery was never attempted...and the way this is worded, it wasn't, then the MBG is still in effect based on this. If you upload a redacted screenshot of your tracking, it can better be determined whether you are covered or not, anything else is speculation:

[electronicsuperstoreusa]

I know it’s been awhile but he did you loose the case? I sold an expensive iPhone but the buyer was available for delivery and never went to pick it up from the post office. It’s been a week already. I’m wording if this was your case too.

thanks 

[albany_sellers]

From what I was told by eBay for business like a year ago, it being at the post office awaiting pick up is as good as it being marked as delivered, and counts the same.

Now I would double check that since we all know how often eBay changes their views on things, but that was the last thing I had heard.

[kh-gary]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.