Really screwed up- package in limbo, refunded buyer, package arrived two weeks later....

[2013fitzp]

Hi all-  I sold a toner on June 18, shipped it the next day. Item was floating around USPS for weeks. Buyer kept asking about it, I was terrified of a INR mark against me, so after 2 weeks, I refunded her.  It arrived yesterday.... Spoke with both eBay and PayPal, I'm out the $89.98.  Moving forward, do I take the INR, then once delivered (hopefully), appeal the claim?  Any help is appreciated. 

[dhbookds]

No appeals.........no way they can make the buyer repay......  You CAN send an invoice thru paypal, asking politely for the $ since it had been delivered, but that's about the extent of it.......

[dhbookds]

Oops, you may have been asking what to do in the future.  First thing is to put the alert on the USPS to send you updates......Secondly, I would go to the local PO and ask them if there is anyway they can get the package back on track.....  I believe some have gotten that done.  Third......hold the buyers hand:  tell them what all you are doing, including waiting for responses from USPS and obviously try to forestall the INR claim.  If they make one, call ebay.......if the tracking is active, they will usually extend the time before they force a refund.........

[2013fitzp]

Thank you, I was asking if it is correct that I'm SOL with the money, and what to do in the future. Is it correct that if the item is still in transit but exceeds the "10 day economy shipping" I use, that eBay will take pity on me and wait to issue a refund, or not? And I did go to USPS numerous times, they were unhelpful each time- apathetic.

[dhbookds]

eBay will take pity on me and wait to issue a refund, or not?

From the reports on this board, yes........  but you have to contact ebay, it's not automatic............  By the way......YOU always want to do the refunding....you NEVER wait for ebay to do it as this will give a "seller didn't resolve" defect.........and that's pretty bad..........

[clearsphere]

After refunding,  there should have been a way to pay a fee to intercept the package and have it sent back to you once found. I know the subject comes up here every so often-not sure why it's considered free after the delivery estimate passes? I would think a RTS is more appropriate if the buyer doesn't intend to repay.

[abethkap]

I've had a package before that disappeared from USPS tracking, and was very late.  I think I refunded the buyer after they opened a case at about 2 1/2 weeks after mailing and requested that if and when the package arrives, please do not open it, and mark 'return to sender' (so return shipping would be at no cost.)   The item did finally arrive and the buyer wanted to keep it, so I invoiced them through Paypal.  With something like toner, the buyer might have needed it sooner and purchased a replacement.  If that is the case, at least if they mark it 'return to sender' you will only be out the shipping cost. 

[2013fitzp]

yes @dhbookds I issued the refund via PayPal, I've been selling here for 6 years, I've learned the hard way. Sad thing is I refunded terrified of yet another ding to my performance level and now I';m out $90. But thank you for the advice

[2013fitzp]

excellent advice!! thank you, I will try that!

[luckythewinner]

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@2013fitzp wrote:

Hi all-  I sold a toner on June 18, shipped it the next day. Item was floating around USPS for weeks. Buyer kept asking about it, I was terrified of a INR mark against me, so after 2 weeks, I refunded her.  It arrived yesterday.... Spoke with both eBay and PayPal, I'm out the $89.98.  Moving forward, do I take the INR, then once delivered (hopefully), appeal the claim?  Any help is appreciated. 

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Once you refunded, you were out $89.98 whether or not the item was delivered.