Refunded buyer. They still received package. Help

[swiftmoodbiz]

Hello. Name is SwiftMood. On an off seller for a little bit and had an issue pop up this past month.

Shipped a computer component via FedEx ground and they decided to transfer to USPS to make the delivery via Smart Post No prob.

The issue is that the package got stuck in-between hand off for roughly 2 weeks and so Buyer opened a case a received a refund. Again no prob.

All of a sudden after multiple calls FedEx and USPS it finally moved and was delivered to the customer. I couldn't stop it in time due to the hand off between shipping companies.

My issue is that the buyer is ignoring my request to return the item and I can't seem to connect with anyone or figure out how I can get my item returned or covered with seller protection. I've read, linked, and been re routed back to the help guide numerous times and yet I cannot figure out how to file some sort of claim with EBay.

I am unable to file a claim with FedEx as they keep saying I'm not the authorized party that can Initiate a claim. It's been quite the pain but I don't want to be out roughly $1k in merchandise. That's a lot of cheddar for me and to be honest, I needed that sale at the time.

[robbie31415]

Nothing really to do.

I don't use fedex, but did you send it ground economy? Because that is smartpost.

What claim are you trying to file with fedex ? Didn't it get delivered ? I'm not aware of any coverage for late deliveries.

EBay can't really do anything. Refunds can't be reversed, unlike payments.

I'd say write it off on your taxes.

[swiftmoodbiz]

At the time I was trying to file a claim it was when it was stuck. I should have explained it better, my fault. 

Thanks for the reply. I'd prefer to get a few more individuals to say the same thing before I just "write it off".

[deltilogical]

The customer is now involved in fraud, and it may be a felony with the value.   I'd tell the customer that and tell them you will pursue this.   You've been robbed.  Period. 

I don't understand, with the item still clearly showing in the mail stream, why Ebay gave the refund.  

And since it did go through USPS you can tell them you are contacting the USPS police too.   AND DO IT!

[robbie31415]

How is it a fraud ? This is eBays procedure for INR. Seller admits package was stalled for a few weeks.

Seller agreed to this procedure, so not a fraud.

[ebooksdiva]

Since your buyer was refunded they are not obligated to send the item back to you although it would be the right thing to do. eBay can’t help in this situation since they deem the case closed when you refunded. We’ve all had similar experiences. 
As another responder said, you can write it off as a loss on your taxes. 

[swiftmoodbiz]

USPS Police? 😆 Sorry it's just a funny thing to say. I'd rather not harass the customer. Just looking for common consensus. Thanks for the reply!

[inhawaii]

A) Ebay will not "take back" the refund they issued the buyer.

B) There is not way to MAKE the buyer pay again or send the item back to you.

Your only option is to try (nicely) to convince the buyer in to paying for or returning the item.

As others pointed out to you, they are not required to do so.

Lesson learned:  Don't use that method of shipment again. 

Sorry this happened to you.

[pennysdream · Accepted solution]

Hay..  

Yeah, you need to write it off.  It will be a nice amount to take off your taxes.  

The only way the buyer will send it back is out of the kindness of their heart. There is no obligation to do so.  

I feel that your recourse is to learn from this and take the write off.  I would suggest that any time you are sending something worth over 750.00 That you send it priority or express, make sure it gets scanned at every step and gets signed for at the end.   It is a CYA thing.  

[m60driver]

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@swiftmoodbiz wrote:

That's a lot of cheddar for me and to be honest, I needed that sale at the time.

---

Alas, you will be out the cheddar as there is nothing to do apart from depending upon the goodness of the heart of the buyer.  This is one of the many flaws in Ebay's business model and is one component as to why the platform is slowly losing sellers as once you get screwed by this conundrum for some serious money one tends to give up on the platform.

[eddie_iceman]

Hi from the UK!

This is not a piece of advice.

I wanted to write a very cynical reply but I think what you'd needed to hear when it happened was: it is upsetting, unfair and frustrating. You've done nothing wrong, you've just trusted the system as anyone living in a civilised society would.

Without trust, if would simply grind to a halt.

I'm currently in the same situation in the UK with a courier called EVRI and there is nothing I can do. They delayed delivery - and of course it happened when I was blessed by a pretty aggressive buyer. I kept said buyer at (e)bay for a while (25 or so messages from them over the days), then buckled after 5 days and refunded them because any message bounced off EVRI faster than from a concrete wall and I was prepping to travel.

The buyer calmed down and said they won't get the item anyway but if they will, they will send it back. 12 days later... I got back from holidays (vacays), so that EVRI delivered after 10 days and no word from the buyer. I messaged them but expect little.

It is a loss and the way EVRI works is that you can't reach any humans there. And no, there is no way to get the buyer to send back the item.

I even wondered if they managed to game the system by creating a false alert and that made the parcel stuck somehow (they were demanding 2 hours after the buy it now sale on a Saturday that I immediately send the item). However, I care too much about my mental health to go down the conspiracy route.

So: sorry it happened to you, you're not alone.

[swiftmoodbiz]

Sorry to hear. Ultimately I’ve gotten nothing in return except out the money. It’s an unfortunate situation that eBay could but doesn’t do anything to prevent 

[kh-stanley1]

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.