Well this was a first for me -I got an INR, and although I've had a couple in the past this one wasn't regarding a package whose tracking stalled after some scan many days ago. This one was an item I shipped next-day and it was delivered two days later (Thursday). I used a label I purchased through eBay so the tracking uploaded automatically. The buyer did not write to me, just filed the INR, with only the comment "didn't receive it." So I copied the tracking number right from the order details and pasted it as the response to this "request" and reiterated in the comment box that tracking shows the item as delivered to the address provided by the buyer. eBay calls this my "update", but it's what they already know.
Yes we all know there are only a couple of possibilities as to what happened with the package. The buyer's carrier accidentally put the package in the wrong mailbox, or maybe there was a thief in the neighborhood. A misfortune either way, but of course it had nothing to do with me. I don't know why the buyer didn't write to tell/ask me anything before filing this ... thing ... but the reason I call it a "request" is that's what eBay calls it. I'm not worried in the slightest, I know a delivery scan is one thing eBay never ignores in order to side with the buyer, especially when the label was purchased via the platform. And this "request" is not showing up on my current Returns or Cancellations pages, nor is the sale amount on hold in my Payments. But I am a bit annoyed that I'm even seeing this "request" for a couple reasons.
1. A newer seller quite possibly would be freaking out. If they knew the tracking number was already in the system, they might not enter it in the request box, thinking that must not be the solution (since eBay already has it) ... then by failing to do the not-so-obvious, end up having their money snatched on the day the response window closes. If they've lost other kinds of cases they might even think this one is just as hopeless and voluntarily issue the "requested amount", just to avoid an "unresolved" ding. 2. Even though I did exactly what I needed to and there's nothing indicating my money is still in limbo, there is still the line about this request under the item in Solds. And it's going to be in my head as well. Like what does it look like from the buyer's end at this point? What "response" is eBay asking them for now?
More concisely, why does eBay even bring this to the seller's attention at all? Is there any reason I'm not thinking of, that there shouldn't be an automated response from eBay whenever a buyer attempts to file an INR for an item with a delivery scan right in eBay's own system???
