Strange Wrong Address Situation

[heliosphan]

So a buyer contacted me shortly after I shipped their package out. They said that they had listed an old address, so it was going to the wrong address. I told them I was glad to help, but all you could do was put in a intercept/re-route package with the USPS or wait for it to be returned to me. Didn't hear back from them after that.

About a week and a half later I noticed they left positive feedback for me, despite saying the item was not in the condition as listed. Not quite sure what happened with that, but they never contacted me and it was still positive feedback. I also assumed they re-routed the packaged or got it from their old address. Well today the package shows up at my residence unopened. Not quite sure what to do here, any thoughts?

[pvcliff]

I'd sit quiet as a mouse until/unless contacted. Item gets set aside for a year or so.

[dtexley3]

You should refund the buyer the price of the item less fees and shipping cost.  Then relist.

[ittybitnot]

 but they never contacted me and it was still positive feedback. 

Chances are pretty good that those that contacted you via ebay messages were not even your real buyer. It is not uncommon for ended listings to receive more than one or two requests to ship to a different address by IDs that are not your buyer.  Typically , the scam includes some sob story about having to care for a sick relative with an address in Delaware.   Glad you didn't fall for it. Shame on eBay that they let it continue...  with no way to report the messages. If you agree to the preliminary scam attempts, they will want you to purchase gift cards and include them as well. 

Have a happy ebay day.  It is NOT their money or their product, so you need to look out for yourself. 

[inhawaii]

I would TRY to contact the buyer at least once and give them 2 options. 

Option A (If the buyer still wants the item): Have the buyer fix the address.  Re-ship it to the correct address if they are willing to pay for the shipping. 

Option B (If the buyer no longer wants the item): Refund the buyer less shipping. 

If the buyer does not respond.  Re-list the item.

Good luck!

[myboardid]

I had a similar situation last week.  I contacted the buyer and told her I would need to have her pay for the 2nd shipping costs, I sent her a Paypal invoice and she sent me the money.  I immediately sent he package to her new address.   

[heakal-54]

 A package sent to an address OTHER than the address of record at time of payment has NO protection in an Item Not Received case.