What would y'all do? Intercepting a package for buyer.....

[schloopertz]

So I need some quick advice.

I sold an item, shipped it out yesterday to the address provided, and the buyer contacted me after I had dropped it at the post office saying the address was wrong, could I please ship it to another address.

I informed them that it had already gone out, and this morning I receive a message pleading with me to intercept with USPS it to have it returned to me.

It's $15.75, and I'm willing to do it if they pay me, but as I understand it any giving of PP addresses or Venmo or Zelle info is forbidden...I feel badly for them, but not sure what to do. I'm not sure if this is some kind of scam either, but I'm pretty sure it's not since the item would be returned to me, not the second address she wanted me to switch it to.

What should I do?

[ittybitnot]

@schloopertz 

Even if your buyer contacted you BEFORE you shipped to change the address, this is something you should not do anyway.  For what little seller protection eBay offers, you must ship to the address provided with the payment.  In those circumstances, you would have to cancel the sale and have the buyer re-purchase the product with the correct address. 

Always check, as well to see if the person messaging you for the address change is actually your buyer. 

If you have your buyer's actual email address, you can send them a PayPal invoice. If you really want to go this route. You will still have to have the buyer repurchase before sending it again. 

[kabilab]

The request I received was before I printed the label. I declined, stating I was ignorant as to the procedure to accommodate the request. My reply was accepted by the buyer. Had it not been, I would have cancelled the order, but as the overwhelming number of items purchased from me are below $10, such an action is far easier for me than a triple digit sale.

[cstpos · Accepted solution]

@schloopertzI have sent several invoices via Paypal for buyers who wanted to upgrade to overnight shipping. Ebay does not yet allow sellers to send just an invoice (as far as I know) or we would use that. Let the buyer know you need to receive payment for the recall before you can request it, and that you will have to cancel the order once you get the item back as Problem with the Buyer's address. They can then repurchase and update the shipping address for the item. Let them know that ebay won't let you ship to any address other than what is on the sales order. Best of Luck!

[titipeo]

Buyer is responsible of providing payment and proper ship to address. Seller is responsible to package item, generate shipping label to supplied buyer address. Anything outside of those parameters, will void the protection that each party has. If the address is incorrect, it will be returned to sender. 

[schloopertz]

Thanks, you’re  most helpful! Ok, but I AM allowed to ask for her PP address? I’m so cautious because eBay has become so punitive to sellers lately. I don’t want to be suspended or anything!

[1tuna]

I would get the item back and cancel the sale as problem with address

then I woud relist it and ask them to purchase it again

its not our job to drag money from buyers

feeling sorry for a buyer is one thing but its the buyers fault and they are the ones who messed up and need to come up with new shipping money

[fab_finds4u]

There is no guarantee the PO will return it. It could be left in the mailbox at the wrong address and the person there KEEPS it.

And using USPS Intercept is a crapshoot because they tell you there's no guarantee they can intercept it. You can be paying and not getting.

Your job is done!  The buyer needs to go to the PO and have his mail forwarded to his new address.

[rockmafia5]

I used the USPS package intercept a few weeks ago.  Got charged $15.75 for them to just go ahead and deliver it to the original address anyway.  Thanks again USPS.

[cstpos]

@schloopertz  Happy to help. They can send either their PP email or username for you to send them an invoice. I have never been 'dinged' by ebay for this type of communication. If the buyer and seller try to exchange contact info after the sale is complete, and they can see by your messaging on ebay that you are trying to send an invoice,  you shouldn't have any issues.