Local Pickup, Buyer has paid but won't communicate or schedule pickup.

[sdsusanl]

How many times should I reach out - with no response - before cancelling and refunding? Three tries in three days? It seems it would be simpler to cancel/refund while the funds are still processing with Ebay, rather than after I receive them. Appreciate any advice!

[soh.maryl]

And you're absolutely certain that your buyer IS able to pick  up his  purchase and not simply waiting for the arrival of his purchase?  

[jerseyboymusic]

I don't think I caught this... WHERE is this buyer located? You are in San Diego... but did the buyer see Syracuse in your title and think you are in Upstate New York?

[1786davycrockett]

@sdsusanl 

Your buyer has paid for the dishes -- so what's your hurry in having them make the pick-up?

I have had a couple local pick-up sales in the past, during which the buyer never showed up, even after I had sent multiple emails with suggested pick-up dates -- all passed with no buyer.

If the dishes are not taking up a huge amount of room, just box them up, and store them somewhere where they won't be an inconvenience to you -- in the garage, or in a closet, or under a bed.

If the buyer has failed to communicate or made a pick-up after 180 days, you are entitled to pocket the money (as I did), and re-list the items.

It's the buyer's responsibility to contact the seller regarding local pick-ups -- and NOT the seller.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

AGREE! 

Shoppers use the app / phone and never read details. 

[asset_liquidators]

He can't cancel as unpaid because the buyer already paid.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

I would just slow down and not worry for now.

For the buyer not responding is a little odd. Surely, they don't think you're going to ship. I notice those who shop using the app seem to not see everything in a listing or try (?).

I don't have a solid answer, but many thoughts to consider:

1. Have you reviewed the buyer's profile / feedback / location?

2. I would have made the listing as pay at pick-up after inspection (avoid buyer going home and then filing a claim with eBay or their C.C.) or use the eBay code process which I have no clue how to use. I'm sure someone else can help on this process. 

3. Did you note in listing that buyer needs to bring their own packing materials? (just to avoid issues)

4. If the buyer does respond and states they will have someone pick-up for them, you might need to rethink the transaction. 

[sdsusanl]

Thank you for the great advice. I admit, I do tend to fall on the impatient side of the fence. Will take a deep breath and wait it out 🙂

[stainlessenginecovers]

There is really no point in 'waiting'. Buyers use ebay and expect delivery as are 99% of items sold. 

Buyer did NOT catch the fact the listing was 'pick up only'. 

You should cancel/refund and really- either list it shipped or list it somewhere that only locals will see it. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

---

@1786davycrockett wrote:

@sdsusanl 

Your buyer has paid for the dishes -- so what's your hurry in having them make the pick-up?

I have had a couple local pick-up sales in the past, during which the buyer never showed up, even after I had sent multiple emails with suggested pick-up dates -- all passed with no buyer.

If the dishes are not taking up a huge amount of room, just box them up, and store them somewhere where they won't be an inconvenience to you -- in the garage, or in a closet, or under a bed.

If the buyer has failed to communicate or made a pick-up after 180 days, you are entitled to pocket the money (as I did), and re-list the items.

It's the buyer's responsibility to contact the seller regarding local pick-ups -- and NOT the seller.

---

May not be a good idea to keep both the goods and the remittance because state law may say differently. The Uniform Commercial Code-Article Two governs transactions for the sale and leasing of goods. 

Essentially it states that the obligation of the seller is to transfer and deliver the goods, and that of the buyer is to accept and pay in accordance with the terms of sale.

However, where the contract doesn't require the seller to ship the goods to the buyer, the two primary requirements for the seller under the UCC are:

• to "put and hold" the goods "at the buyer's disposition," and
• to give the buyer whatever notice is reasonably necessary for the buyer to take possession of the goods.

In a case like this, when a buyer does not pick up the items within a reasonable amount of time after remittance, the seller should give an official deadline in a formal written communication for the procurance, and once that date is passed, the seller refunds the buyer and then is free to resell the items. 

Plus, it is not ethical to keep both the payment and goods.

[soh.maryl]

Exactly how do we know that this buyer did not catch the fact that the item was local pickup?

[soh.maryl]

According to the OP, the buyer HAS PAID.  

[soh.maryl]

The OP's complaint is not about availability of funds, but about the fact that this was a local pickup listing and he's been unable to contact the buyer to arrange pickup.  

[jerseyboymusic]

OP STILL hasn't answered the question of where the buyer is... are they local to San Diego, or across the country, or anywhere in between!?

[1786davycrockett]

@fashunu4eeuh 

"In a case like this, when a buyer does not pick up the items within a reasonable amount of time after remittance, the seller should give an official deadline in a formal written communication for the procurance, and once that date is passed, the seller refunds the buyer and then is free to resell the items. 

Plus, it is not ethical to keep both the payment and goods."

As I had previously stated, the seller is storing the items in a secure spot (in the garage, or under the bed, or in some controlled area which is available only to the seller.  And, since the deadline for a credit card return is 180 days on eBay, that is the "official deadline" for the conclusion of the sale.

If the seller has been inconvenienced by the buyer's negligence in retrieving the items after the payment has been made, that is on the buyer, and the seller should not be made to feel any guilt for the storing and safe-keeping of the items.  If 180 days have passed without the buyer retrieving the item (and the seller has clearly offered the buyer multiple pick-up opportunities), the seller is certainly entitled to keep both the item PLUS the money from the sale, as payment for storage fees for six months of providing a safe and secure location for the buyer's merchandise, with the assumption that the buyer has abandoned the merchandise.

Whether it is ethical or not depends upon how inconvenienced the seller may feel regarding storing somebody else's items for a lengthy period of time:  For some individuals with a lot of available storage area, it's no big deal; but sellers who live in more frugal situations may feel differently.

[jerseyboymusic]

As with anything sold on Ebay... the seller is missing out on another buyer who REALLY wants the item to get it, whether it is paid for or not.

I kind of feel like at a point the seller needs to start charging storage fees to the buyer (he says with a sarcastic grin)