Should I issue refund?

[everygreenherb]

A package was returned to me marked as "Not able to deliver". The package has been sitting in my packing area for 2 months now and I have not heard from the buyer. It was marked delivered on Ebay to my address so no bad marks there. Maybe the person must have died or something, I have no idea. I contacted them several times but no response. I plan on relisting the item when it's been 90 days. Do you think I should issue a refund although no one ever requested one?

[parkersparrow]

You don't have to but it would be the right thing to do. I would refund minus your ebay and paypal fees & shipping. 

[mvls1]

I agree with parkersparrow.

[lex-talon · Accepted solution]

Yes, absolutely. 

[fab_finds4u]

Maybe they're in rehab.  PayPal gives them 180 days to file a claim.  

Cancel problem with their address and refund.  You can't charge a buyer for your eBay and PayPal fees but you should be able to deduct buyer paid shipping.  

[lamber9347]

I don't think you should simply keep the money, I'm not saying that before I get attacked on here, but I also don't think you should refund it just yet. Notice I said- just yet. 

The fact that the item came back undelivered and the buyer has not responded to any of your messages nor written you just feels weird. Yes they may have passed on suddenly so adding back money to their PP account seems strange. They may have been arrested and still doing a six month sentence. Perhaps rehab or something life changing that suddenly occurred and they need more time to get things together. 

If this was me I would just wait. I would set aside the package as it is and give it more time. You may end up receiving a message 6-7 months from now with an explanation on what happened. Then I would refund them or ask if they pay for a second shipping and send it to them. They can't return it by then or open a case so you'd still be doing the right thing plus actually being quite generous by having kept their item all that time. Your karma would be safe and secure.... Best of luck to you and I hope you post an update some day....

[a_c_green]

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@parkersparrow wrote:

You don't have to but it would be the right thing to do. I would refund minus your ebay and paypal fees & shipping. 

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Second that. 

Does the buyer's account show any recent activity, such as on their feedback page, either received or left for others? That might give you some idea as to whether they're still active at all, and when their last transaction occurred.

[loveyourimagination49]

Have you tried contacting them through their email? Not everyone checks eBay messages.
I agree with others that say to refund.

[hdps_corp]

for long time now, eBay no longer share buyers email.

[packratville]

I agree with those who say to refund; it's the right thing to do.

Have you tried a google search of the person's name to see if there's an obituary?

If the person passed away - and I hope not - my thought is that the PayPal account then becomes a part of the person's estate. If there's a balance, the funds would go to the beneficiary or personal representative to distribute. It's really frustrating to not be able to close an estate out because of something that remains outstanding, even if it's a small amount. I've just been through that for over a year and a half.

[7606dennis]

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@everygreenherb wrote:

A package was returned to me marked as "Not able to deliver". The package has been sitting in my packing area for 2 months now and I have not heard from the buyer. It was marked delivered on Ebay to my address so no bad marks there. Maybe the person must have died or something, I have no idea. I contacted them several times but no response. I plan on relisting the item when it's been 90 days. Do you think I should issue a refund although no one ever requested one?

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Upon receiving the returned package, I would have immediately sent the buyer a message that the item had been returned and the circumstances of the return and request that the buyer advise  how they wanted to handle the situation.  I would send this message just once, securely store the buyer's package and await their reply.  I would not automatically issue a refund.

If the buyer replies, I would try to honor his wishes on how he wants to handle it.  If he wants to cancel I would oblige and refund less the original shipping if it had been billed separately.

If the buyer wanted to have it reshipped, I would bill him for the cost of the second shipping.  Of course, I'd double check the shipping address  first.

If the buyer fails to respond to my message, I would store the item until time allowed by the state for an item to be declared abandoned and then dispose of it as I see fit.  There is no need to refund the buyer since the seller, although having already paid for the item, chose to abandoned it.  However, if the buyer later contacted me, I would probably refund the original item price if his reason for not replying to my message was plausible.  In a coma, incarcerated or something like that.  I have had a case where the buyer had passed away and his heirs finally replied to my message and I gave a full refund and my sincere regrets for their loss.

However, I would have not merely set the shipment aside all this time without making, at least, some attempt at contacting the buyer.

[eleanor*rigby]

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@7606dennis wrote:

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However, I would have not merely set the shipment aside all this time without making, at least, some attempt at contacting the buyer.

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@7606dennis 

Not to put too fine a point on it, but, from the OP:  "I contacted them several times but no response."

[7606dennis]

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@eleanor*rigby wrote:

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@7606dennis wrote:

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However, I would have not merely set the shipment aside all this time without making, at least, some attempt at contacting the buyer.

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@7606dennis 

Not to put too fine a point on it, but, from the OP:  "I contacted them several times but no response."

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Sorry, I must have missed that part of the original post.  In that case, I would do what I said and if the the buyer or his heirs hasn't contacted me by the time it becomes abandoned property, I dispose of it as I see fit.  I'd consider the amount they had paid to be compensation for the secure storage.

I usually don't contact eBay buyers through their personal email addresses, even if I have it, unless it is a repeat buyer that I've dealt with on a regular basis. 

[upgradedendmills]

I would refund just to clear my books and then relist. I think you can still get a PayPal request for refund for up to 6 months, and I don't think I would relist before refunding.

[inhawaii]

The last time i came on here asking that type of question, i got bombarded with comments like...

YOU KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT THIS IS TO DO.  WHY ARE YOU EVEN ASKING SUCH A QUESTION?

IF YOU WERE THE BUYER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT?

SHAME ON YOU FOR EVEN ASKING!

I'm glad you were treated a little better than me. Maybe because you're better looking?  😃