eBay

daenjon · ‎08-13-2019

I have a problem that I need a written response to. I have a buyer that is not responding to multiple messages, not picking up a signature required package. They already paid and Paypal released the funds to me. I'm worried they will dispute the charge. Ebay and Paypal on will only talk on the phone. That gives me zero evidence in the case of the dispute unless I record the call. Is this a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility and accrountability? Basically it will be my word against a buyer's or Ebay's and Paypal's in the case of a problem.

How do I handle this? Thanks

kataggr-44 · ‎08-13-2019

Is this domestic or international. Be wary of the second one as I have read where buyers do this to avoid custom fees, but when you refund them they run down there and grab the package. If domestic, did you try calling him? What usually happens is the package will eventually makes its way back to you. In the meantime contact ebay and give them a heads up so they can make a note in your file.

ed8108 · ‎08-13-2019

Make a copy of the tracking information.

Unfortunately the carrier cannot force buyer to claim their package, if this buyer fails to arrange to receive their package, expect it to be on it's way back to you.

earlyant-77 · ‎08-13-2019

@daenjon wrote:
I have a problem that I need a written response to. I have a buyer that is not responding to multiple messages, not picking up a signature required package. They already paid and Paypal released the funds to me. I'm worried they will dispute the charge. Ebay and Paypal on will only talk on the phone. That gives me zero evidence in the case of the dispute unless I record the call. Is this a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility and accrountability? Basically it will be my word against a buyer's or Ebay's and Paypal's in the case of a problem.
How do I handle this? Thanks

No, you would have the tracking number which, since it's waiting for pickup, is as good as delivered. If it's returned to you, then you might be able to refund minus original shipping and fees(since you may not get those back if you only partially refund).

sin-n-dex · ‎08-13-2019

@kataggr-44 wrote:
Is this domestic or international. Be wary of the second one as I have read where buyers do this to avoid custom fees, but when you refund them they run down there and grab the package. If domestic, did you try calling him? What usually happens is the package will eventually makes its way back to you. In the meantime contact ebay and give them a heads up so they can make a note in your file.

A German buyer did that to me on a $60 package. But it accidentally got recorded as delivered, then he opened a return request and had nothing to send back. I told him I'm not refunding until I get my coin, and eBay Germany closed the case because it appeared he received the parcel.

Eight months later the package was returned to me via slow boat method. The case had been closed and his refund was denied. Since so much time had passed, I couldn't even refund from the original transaction. However since I consider myself to run my business with integrity I did a Paypal send money with a note that said "I promised you I'd refund you when I got the coin back, I just got it back today." Ofcourse the buyer is BBL because I don't wish to do transactions with people who dodge customs fees at my expense.

C.

dasarock · ‎08-13-2019

@daenjon wrote:
I have a problem that I need a written response to. I have a buyer that is not responding to multiple messages, not picking up a signature required package. They already paid and Paypal released the funds to me. I'm worried they will dispute the charge. Ebay and Paypal on will only talk on the phone. That gives me zero evidence in the case of the dispute unless I record the call. Is this a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility and accrountability? Basically it will be my word against a buyer's or Ebay's and Paypal's in the case of a problem.
How do I handle this? Thanks

keep a copy of the carrier tracking history, the number on the signature confirmation slip and you should not have any problem with ebay. buyers are required to ensure they have correct and deliverable addresses on file with ebay and paypal that are secure and not expected for any package to be stolen from. if usps postal records should also note the date and times that notices are left for the recipient so they can arrange pickup/delivery. if package is returned and you have all this information, ebay should find that buyer did not provide due diligence to ensure receipt and you should then have no fear of a defect. but you would be required to refund minus shipping if it was free shipping imho...

mam98031 · ‎08-13-2019

As others have said make sure you keep a watch on that tracking. You can stop trying to get in touch with your buyer as clearly they have no intention of responding or they are unavailable. If you shipped it via USPS you can go to their site and sign up for email updates on the tracking. I would certainly do that.

If your buyer does not pick the item up, you are covered under the Ebay seller protection. If your buyer were to file an INR they would not win. But you do still have exposure with PP, as your buyer can file a claim there if they choose.

So make sure you keep good records of everything to do with this transaction.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

inhawaii · ‎08-14-2019

Did you try calling the buyer via telephone?

To get the buyers telephone number, go to the shipping label page, pretend you are printing out a shipping label for that item ... but instead click to change the address of the buyer. The phone number should come up.

Sea Of Love - The Honeydrippers

scottish_kat · ‎08-14-2019

@inhawaii wrote:
Did you try calling the buyer via telephone?

To get the buyers telephone number, go to the shipping label page, pretend you are printing out a shipping label for that item ... but instead click to change the address of the buyer. The phone number should come up.

Wait, hang on a minute!!! Are you saying every seller I buy from has access to my phone number????

dasarock · ‎08-14-2019

@scottish_kat

No ebay provides you with the buyers ph number. But you have to be very careful when and how you use it. Buyer can call ebay and tell them you threatened them with phone bill to back up

jocli76 · ‎08-14-2019

@scottish_kat wrote:
@inhawaii wrote:
Did you try calling the buyer via telephone?

To get the buyers telephone number, go to the shipping label page, pretend you are printing out a shipping label for that item ... but instead click to change the address of the buyer. The phone number should come up.
Wait, hang on a minute!!! Are you saying every seller I buy from has access to my phone number????

I have a separate non-smart "account phone" that's used for ebay and other business account uses, mainly to filter spam text messages and telemarketer robots and other nefarious persons, that inevitably appear when giving a phone number out to ebay, banks, etc.

A tracfone (free when I signed up with paid minutes) that I rarely use. but for messages. An extended year service without adding minutes was around $50/year.

If you are concerned, then it can help separate your personal from business.

posting ID only

mam98031 · ‎08-14-2019

@scottish_kat wrote:
@inhawaii wrote:
Did you try calling the buyer via telephone?

To get the buyers telephone number, go to the shipping label page, pretend you are printing out a shipping label for that item ... but instead click to change the address of the buyer. The phone number should come up.
Wait, hang on a minute!!! Are you saying every seller I buy from has access to my phone number????

Trading partners have always had the ability to get each other's phone numbers. You've been on Ebay a long time. Since this is the first you've heard about this obviously it hasn't been an issue for you just as it isn't an issue for the vast majority of transactions on Ebay.

I've been here a long time too and it has never been an issue for me either. It is rare for a buyer to ever call me. They typically email.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

scottish_kat · ‎08-14-2019

Trading partners have always had the ability to get each other's phone numbers. You've been on Ebay a long time. Since this is the first you've heard about this obviously it hasn't been an issue for you just as it isn't an issue for the vast majority of transactions on Ebay.

I've been here a long time too and it has never been an issue for me either. It is rare for a buyer to ever call me. They typically email.

Yes, seller and buyer for years. I've never noticed a phone number while selling, and there's a few times as a buyer I've had a seller get really unreasonable and angry with me... I'd have been terrified if I knew he had my number! The address was bad enough.

Oh well, guess you're right, if it hasn't been a problem so far....

mam98031 · ‎08-14-2019

@scottish_kat wrote:
Trading partners have always had the ability to get each other's phone numbers. You've been on Ebay a long time. Since this is the first you've heard about this obviously it hasn't been an issue for you just as it isn't an issue for the vast majority of transactions on Ebay.

I've been here a long time too and it has never been an issue for me either. It is rare for a buyer to ever call me. They typically email.
Yes, seller and buyer for years. I've never noticed a phone number while selling, and there's a few times as a buyer I've had a seller get really unreasonable and angry with me... I'd have been terrified if I knew he had my number! The address was bad enough.

Oh well, guess you're right, if it hasn't been a problem so far....

My point was in all these years that the numbers have been available it hasn't cause you any such problem. So now that you know it is there, does that mean that suddenly you are going to start having problems.

I've had some pretty tough transactions too. But still no phone calls from irate people. Like you many just don't even know they can get the phone number even though it is so easy to get.

I think we are fine. I have plenty on my worry list. This just doesn't rate for me.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

csbbct · ‎08-14-2019

@inhawaii wrote:
Did you try calling the buyer via telephone?

To get the buyers telephone number, go to the shipping label page, pretend you are printing out a shipping label for that item ... but instead click to change the address of the buyer. The phone number should come up.

It's not even as difficult as that - on the Manage Paid and Shipped Orders screen there is an Order number directly above the photo of your sold item. Click on that and the buyer's telephone number is right there along with their email address. Their email address is only displayed for 14 days after the sale, but the telephone number will remain.