Package returned for 3 reasons

[skate_508]

I mailed a package via USPS on April 25th. It was bounced and didn't get back to my house until today.
There are three reasons listed on the label. I'll type the text in the order it appears:

Postage due ($14)
Return to sender
Attempted - not known
Unable to forward

Under that label there's something scratched out I can't make out entirely but it says something like "No match COA".

One problem here is the label is for 3lb and the box weighs 2lb 13 oz, is only 6x6x6" and was sent Parcel Select so it's not "postage due" as it fits the requirements.

The tracking said when it hit California it was out for delivery THEN forwarded, then it went to Chicago (?) then back to California(???) where it was "out for delivery" again before being processed as "return to sender".

Anyway, has anyone else had this happen? 
There are so many mixed messages on this label so I'm not sure the best way to deal with the customer because I don't know if they gave the wrong address, which is what the tracking looks like.
Still doesn't explain the false charge on the label, though.

Thanks

[heckofagame]

You might want to take it to a post office and see what's up. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

If you want to collect the package you'll have to pay the postage due. Parcel Post doesn't have free returns. (neither does Media Mail) 

[donsdetour]

Best to cancel the transaction due to addy: and relist it.

Oh and blocked bidder list for the user.

Postage due may have been because it was returned, or forwarded...

Might ask your local PO what went on with it: should be able to look it up in their system.

eBays shipping is a mess these days as such is now only an estimated price:

Sur charges are going on as well...

[skate_508]

Thanks, I didn't know returns or forwarding affected the cost. 
My mail carrier didn't make me pay anything on my end, she left it on the stairs for me, thankfully.

[mardell618]

Best to drop the exchange because of eddy: and relist it.

Gracious and obstructed bidder list for the client.

Postage due may have been on the grounds that it was returned, or sent...

Could ask your neighborhood PO what happened with it: ought to have the option to find it in their framework.

eBay's delivering is a wreck these days as such is currently just an expected cost:

Sur charges are happening too...

[redmodelt]

Reading the OPs post, sounds like they have the package? If there was postage due, they would have had to pay the amount due in order to have the package, the PO is not just going to let them have the package without paying. 

Have you contacted the buyer or they contacted you? If I bought something and saw it was return to sender, I sure would contact the seller. 

[heckofagame]

Returns or forwarding do not incur any additional costs. 

[skate_508]

Yes, I have the item and didn't have to pay anything. 
I re-weighed the box just to make sure t wasn't over and it's definitely under the 3lb mark so I don't get it. 
The buyer hasn't contacted even though they were in a rush for the item so that's kind of odd.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

sounds like a C.O.D. delivery. Not even sure that is still a thing these days. ???

did you google map address to confirm it was a solid address?

[skate_508]

It turns out forwarding DOES actually incur extra charges. 

"Beginning June 24, 2011, the Postal Service imple­ments a new price for Parcel Select forwards and returns; those pieces will now pay the applicable Parcel Select bar­coded nonpresort price, plus an additional service fee." Source: https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2011/pb22312/html/updt_005.htm 

So, how is someone supposed to know if an address is forwarded or not? I'm pretty sure there isn't a way, so this is really scammy of them.

The USPS came back and left a pink slip demanding the $14, by the way. "The previous carrier forgot to collect".  

[donsdetour]

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@skate_508 wrote:

It turns out forwarding DOES actually incur extra charges. 

"Beginning June 24, 2011, the Postal Service imple­ments a new price for Parcel Select forwards and returns; those pieces will now pay the applicable Parcel Select bar­coded nonpresort price, plus an additional service fee." Source: https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2011/pb22312/html/updt_005.htm 

So, how is someone supposed to know if an address is forwarded or not? I'm pretty sure there isn't a way, so this is really scammy of them.

The USPS came back and left a pink slip demanding the $14, by the way. "The previous carrier forgot to collect".  

---

Scary part is a forward;

the seller loss protection as it is not the address on file with eBay:

Hmm may need to put the do not forward on things to be safe.....

at least you got your item back.

[12345jamesstamps]

I get stuff returned every now and then with such reasons on the label as yours.

I think the buyer moved, passed away or on vacation or something.

I had one returned from Israel opened by the Israel Post Office and taped.

I only take photos of the return in case the buyer contacts me and I have some 

honest proof it was returned.

I don't contact buyer...I wait for them to contact me.

Usually buyer never contacts me.

Otherwise, I just relist item in months later.

[dbfolks166mt]

     I have had packages that took a rather scenic route on the way to the buyer and what should have taken 2-3 days to deliver took over a week. I had to touch base with the buyer to keep them from opening an INR while the PO got their act together. 

     I have had one package returned for insufficient postage because the UPSP cold not tell the difference between their own large mailing box and their large flat rate box. That one was easy to fix but it took a trip to the PO and highlighting the LARGE MAILING BOX on the side of the package. 

     Since you are in Massachusetts and I gather you buyer was in CA not sure why you elected to use Parcel Select which I believe would have been about $12 to ship.  Massachusetts, I would have shoved the 6x6x6 box into a padded flat rate envelope and sent it priority mail for about $8. 

     You may want to touch base with the buyer before they open an INR case and see what may have happened on their end. See if the shipping address is correct and if by chance they moved and left a forwarding address with their post office and if that address is correct and how long the forwarding was good for.