eBay

briauyed0 · ‎11-12-2017

Hi,

The buyer has informed me that she cannot pick up the package at a PO box address given to me by her as she no longer lives there although she says the PO box is still registered to her(???). Anyways, the address given is the same in PayPal and eBay. I have offered to give a refund once USPS returns the package to me as undeliverable; I might be too nice as I stated that I don't accept returns in my listing. The shipping cost me $15, but I offered free shipping to the buyer, and I lose out on a offer to avoid FVF because of the buyer's error. Should I still offer the refund or find some way to avoid eating these unneccesary costs? If I offer a refund can I subtract paypal and shipping fees without losing my seller protection or possibly even more money? (I do not have restocking fees)

phcd1 · ‎11-12-2017

If the buyer owns the PO Box, have her call the Post Office and have the package forwarded to her new address. I wouldn't offer anything in writing. Anything you say can be used against you with eBay.

I assume the package shows "delivered", if so, you're done. I would not communicate anymore. There is not much she can do, especially if she doesn't have the package.

briauyed0 · ‎11-12-2017

The package shows as ready for pickup as I placed signature confirmation on it. So I'm assuming she cannot have it forwarded to a different address. If she is able to, would she be able to file a claim in Paypal or eBay as the package is then shipped to a different address than the one written on PayPal?

duchess-at-speakeasy · ‎11-12-2017

A box holder can request any and all mail to be forwarded to a different address. All your buyer has to do is file a COA, whether temporary or permanent. The Signature Confirmation stays with the package. Of course, she should tell USPS whether to close the PO box or not.

Another option is for the buyer to authorize a friend or relative to pick up the mail and bring or send it to her.

Yes, when mail is forwarded to a different address, the buyer loses buyer protection from eBay and Paypal. If the buyer authorizes pick-up by a third party, then delivery is considered done.

~~C~~

My Glass Duchess
Quoting Mom: In polite society, "hey" is for horses.

briauyed0 · ‎11-13-2017

New information coming in, This PO box was the original address and is the correct address. Apparently the buyer is no longer living in the United States and wanted it to be placed into the PO box.

She wants me to call them and have them redeliver to the PO box, should I do this or should I place this responsibility on the buyer?

I'm assuming that the USPS will be able to fulfill this request, despite the signature confirmation, but this smells like a scam, and although the buyer has good reviews I'm afraid taking responsibility will follow with the dreaded eBay/PayPal claim.

postingid2017 · ‎11-13-2017

@briauyed0 wrote:
New information coming in, This PO box was the original address and is the correct address. Apparently the buyer is no longer living in the United States and wanted it to be placed into the PO box.

She wants me to call them and have them redeliver to the PO box, should I do this or should I place this responsibility on the buyer?

I am not well versed on USPS Regulations, however, I do not think that you have the authority to call and change anything since the PO Box is not yours, that responsibility should be on the buyer, and I will bet the farm that the PO will not accept a phone call from either you or the buyer. If that is the case, any Tom, Sam, and/or Harry could do so. I will bet the same farm again that the USPS would require one of their forms in writing and signed (with matched signatures) by the original owner, and not the shipper.

I'm assuming that the USPS will be able to fulfill this request, despite the signature confirmation, but this smells like a scam, and although the buyer has good reviews I'm afraid taking responsibility will follow with the dreaded eBay/PayPal claim.

It could possibly be a scam or the buyer is hiding from someone or something that she does not her presence known. And insofar as her good reviews, all buyers have 100% feedback as buyers feel and eBay feels that buyers can do no wrong. Also, you are correct that taking responsibility could possible get a claim. The buyer may not win, but it is Guardian Angel asking you to proceed with caution. She knew she moved, she should have or could have filed the Change of Adress either in person or online. At best, if the buyer takes no action on her own behalf, the item will be returned to you and at that time, you would refund. If she really wants the item, she could repurchase with the correct COA, and everything could be fine 🙂

Good luck to you and come back here for advice if needed, just proceed with caution 😉 Hope I am making sense, still early for me 🙂

alturiamarch41 · ‎11-13-2017

Just let the package come back to you, refund her, and add her to your blocked buyers list. Do NOT refund until the package is returned.

There is a scam where the seller refunds before the buyer collects the package from their mailbox.

Just tell the buyer you're unable to comply with her request and she needs to make arrangements to collect her mail or allow the package to be returned.

theheadphonecompany · ‎11-13-2017

When it comes to shipping - your one and ONLY responsibility (if you want seller protection) is to ship to the address that eBay provides.

Ignore the sob stories, the "I moved", "my dog ate my homework" and other type excuses.

If you follow the customers email instructions and do NOT use the provided ebay/paypal provided one - you forfeit yur seller protection.

If you ship to the eBay address and its refused, then you can refund the buyer LESS the shipping amount - since its "on them to have the correct address" won file with eBay.

If the buyer forwards the item to another address thats NOT on file with eBay/paypal - the THEY void some of THEIR buyer protections.

Ive been here since 1998 and its ALWAYS been this way - and its not going to ever change (as far as anyone knows)

hope it helps 🙂

briauyed0 · ‎11-13-2017

Good news! I guess she had someone pick it up because the tracking shows that the package was picked up by an agent and signed for! Now im just hoping that everything runs smooth now; by far one of the worst experiences I've had selling anything.

postingid2017 · ‎11-13-2017

Doing the Happy Dance for You!!!!!!!! So glad it worked out

phcd1 · ‎11-13-2017

@briauyed0 wrote:
The package shows as ready for pickup as I placed signature confirmation on it. So I'm assuming she cannot have it forwarded to a different address. If she is able to, would she be able to file a claim in Paypal or eBay as the package is then shipped to a different address than the one written on PayPal?

Forwarding packages VOIDS the eBay MBG, so actually, you're better off if she forwards it. All it matters is that you shipped to the address provided by PayPal.

phcd1 · ‎11-13-2017

@briauyed0 wrote:
New information coming in, This PO box was the original address and is the correct address. Apparently the buyer is no longer living in the United States and wanted it to be placed into the PO box.

She wants me to call them and have them redeliver to the PO box, should I do this or should I place this responsibility on the buyer?

I'm assuming that the USPS will be able to fulfill this request, despite the signature confirmation, but this smells like a scam, and although the buyer has good reviews I'm afraid taking responsibility will follow with the dreaded eBay/PayPal claim.

I would go silent, buyers like to be silent so I think its time for sellers to start. Let the package come back to, refund (minus the original shipping) and block. I would not get involved with her problems, right now you've done everything correctly.

phcd1 · ‎11-13-2017

@briauyed0 wrote:
Good news! I guess she had someone pick it up because the tracking shows that the package was picked up by an agent and signed for! Now im just hoping that everything runs smooth now; by far one of the worst experiences I've had selling anything.

Great, don't forget to BLOCK

theheadphonecompany · ‎11-14-2017

People sometimes DO have legitimate excuses ...... but .....

Sadly on eBay, selling on the platform is more DEFENSE then OFFENCE.

eBays interests are %100 aligned with the buyer. All you need to do is read the various posts here - to see what great lengths eBay will go to - to make a buyer "happy".

Therefore - when you ship an item - make sure its EXACTLY as eBay "says" as far as addresses go. Ignoring that - puts you in great peril - since the buyer will simply say "I never got it" and you will then loose what ever little "Seller Protection" that exists, and you will loose the case too.

Sellers are "are their own" when they sell on eBay .. your "partner" will abandon you in a heartbeat if you dont do as they command.

ALWAYS protect yourself - since NO ONE will come to your rescue should a sale go wrong.

The advice given by the other posters here is correct and certainly valid 🙂

The sale is over, sit back and enjoy the profits you made and pray to what ever entity you believe in (or not) that a SNAD never occurs! 😛