Returns

[mlabue]

I recently shipped out a Watch worth around $300 to a buyer who stated that it was a gift for his father. I accepted his best offer of $270 and shipped the item out earlier this week via USPS Priority Mail. The buyer contacted me today stating that his father has passed and that he would no longer like the item. I am not sure how to go about returning this item. The item has not yet gotten to the buyer and they have not formally opened a return request. I am trying to be considerate of him and his situation, but I am not sure if it would be best for him to refuse the package and have it be return shipped to my address, have USPS intercept the package, or have him open a cancellation request and send him a return label. Please help if you have any input on the situation and what you think that I should do. Thanks! 

[krazzykats]

Tell the buyer to open a return case, and ship it back for a full refund.  When they receive it, return it.

[inhawaii]

I would ask the buyer to refuse delivery RTS (return to sender)  that way there would be no return shipping charges -or- open a remorse return.  You would need to approve the return and pay for return shipping.  You would lose a few bucks but under these circumstances that's what I would do.

[onefootflipper]

With the value of the watch compared to the $4 it normally costs to ship one I would send the buyer a return label right now and tell them just to send it back unopened as soon as it comes.

I wouldn't risk the return to sender thing as those sometimes get lost.

[dbfolks166mt]

     It is probably a little too late for an intercept depending on when you mailed it and where it is going to and USPS is going to charge you $25 for the intercept request I do believe. I would do as inhawaii and krazzykats suggested and simply have the buyer  open a return request once they receive the item. 

[eunster1313]

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@inhawaii wrote:

I would ask the buyer to refuse delivery RTS (return to sender)  that way there would be no return shipping charges -or- open a remorse return.  You would need to approve the return and pay for return shipping.  You would lose a few bucks but under these circumstances that's what I would do.

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(eBay makes money on those return labels).

Buyers are not allowed any more to refuse delivery RTS
(return to sender) unless their is Postage Due.

Refusing the package for any other reason (voids) the buyers
eBay Money Back Guarantee.

eBay Money Back Guarantee policy
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy... 

[ckimodog]

@mlabue 

You have a no returns policy, which you should really change.  Tell the buyer to open a return and send them a label.  Then when you receive the item back in your possession, refund.  Remember, no returns does not mean no refunds. 

[fab_finds4u]

I'm buying this for a gift is a red flag to me. Why would a seller need or want to know that? Use USPS Package Intercept if it hasn't  been delivered yet and refund when USPS shows it's been intercepted. I would do that than take a chance they send back an empty box or claim they received an empty box.  

I'm  sure some buyers do buy gifts but scammers also are known to say that. 

[sapphire_studio]

There does seems to be some red flags... if this happened to me I would be very worried that they're trying to scam me.

If they are a scammer they're probably hoping that because you don't accept returns you know any return request would have be an item not as described which would give you a defect,  And that you don't want to pay for the package intercept,  So maybe you will trust them enough to actually cancel the transaction right now (And send them a label to return it to you trusting they will do so because they have been refunded). 

 Basically make sure you do no cancelations or refunds until you have that watch back in your hands.

 But if they are not a scammer it is kind of a lot to ask for them to refuse a package because they lose their protection. 

 If it were me I would let them know that at this point there's nothing you can do until after they receive the package and then just leave it in their court.  If they ask for a label to send it back and they are trusting you to refund them once they actually send it and you receive it then they're definitely not a scammer.

 Technically since you have no returns you're not obligated to deal with this whole mess however if they know the system they can easily use item not as described to get their money back.

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@dbfolks166mt wrote:

     It is probably a little too late for an intercept depending on when you mailed it and where it is going to and USPS is going to charge you $25 for the intercept request I do believe. .... 

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IMHO, intercept is worth a try, even though it would cost more than just paying for return shipping. The fee of $15.95 is apparently charged only if the intercept is successful.  

There is no regular mail delivery tomorrow, which could hep by giving the PO an extra day to implement the intercept before delivery.

 https://www.usps.com/manage/package-intercept.htm

[buyselljack2016]

because you don't accept returns you know any return request would have be an item not as described which would give you a defect, 

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buyers can open a "remorse" return request even if the seller has "no returns policy" on the listing. Seller can accept, and buyer would pay the return label.

I am not saying that would be the best choice, but just to clarify that it can be done 🙂

[s.scharmu0]

If it is a scammer: What a low life piece of dirt they are then, to say their Father died...

[sapphire_studio]

OK cool I didn't know that .... so then that's the plan of action to take

 Send them a message letting them know that even though you don't accept returns,  You will make an exception for this case. Once they receive the item have them open up a return request and make sure to select the reason that they changed their mind so that you don't get a defect ....and that you will manually approve it. 

[buyselljack2016]

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@sapphire_studio wrote:

OK cool I didn't know that .... so then that's the plan of action to take

 Send them a message letting them know that even though you don't accept returns,  You will make an exception for this case. Once they receive the item have them open up a return request and make sure to select the reason that they changed their mind so that you don't get a defect ....and that you will manually approve it. 

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Well, that action could be taken, but may, or may not be the best choice.

Just wanted to point out that it is possible. At one time most of my items were "returns not accepted". My reason for that was the hope that they would actually look a little better at what they were buying before jumping in with both feet as they would with a easy return listing.

I don't need the Walmart buyers. Anyway I did experience some "remorse" return request, and on the low ship cost I would accept, and eat the initial ship. Higher ship I would message with a decline, and why. Always offered to do a partial if they wanted to just send it back. Some did.

I have asked a buyer to "refuse". They have without issue. Always came back,(slowly) and I refunded the buyer.

[redlinear]

@mlabue

The item has already been shipped.  Returning it for FULL REFUND is no problem at all.  When the item arrives, just return it to:  Name, Address.   Thanks, mlabue