Buyer refused package has not contacted me at all

[tubaphone52]

I sent out a package of books, and was checking my delivery stats, I noticed that it was marked as "Received by agent" on 2/12 and then "Return to sender" on 2/19 I haven't received them back, and I haven't heard anything from the buyer yet, they had a "0" feedback score. Obviously I'll wait for the item before I do anything, but, would you reach out to them, refund them (Not refunding shipping costs) wait for them to contact or file a claim? I've never had this happen but, they had these books for a week, they could have read/damaged or even had their own damaged copies they were trying to replace on the cheap.

[loveyourimagination49]

Just wait until you received the books back. Once received you can refund minus shipping.
If a problem arises come back and ask here.

[kds99]

I would not reach out to them as it's unclear as of yet what's happened. The tracking may tell you more than we see here. They may have refused the shipment. If so, they have not opened it, as the post office only allows unopened packages be refused. If it was returned by the post office due to bad address, for example, that could explain the week's delay in returning. If you don't get the books back as "love" suggested you can come back here to discuss next steps. My guess is that the address was bad.

[tubaphone52]

So the package arrived back today from a prison, and in sharpie written on the box "Not a publisher or bookstore" I obviously can't send it back to that address, so I'll be reaching out to the buyer to see if they want to pay for it to be shipped to a different address, or if they would like a refund, can I charge a restock fee if I do that, I have a no returns policy and I sold it via promoted listings it really wasn't a high cost item but I don't think I should be out anything for their mistake. 

[7606dennis]

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@tubaphone52 wrote:

So the package arrived back today from a prison, and in sharpie written on the box "Not a publisher or bookstore" I obviously can't send it back to that address, so I'll be reaching out to the buyer to see if they want to pay for it to be shipped to a different address, or if they would like a refund, can I charge a restock fee if I do that, I have a no returns policy and I sold it via promoted listings it really wasn't a high cost item but I don't think I should be out anything for their mistake. 

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Alas!  Most correctional facilities only accept books sent to inmates that have been shipped directly from a publisher or an established bookstore.  It is something of a security issue regarding smuggling of contraband items into the facility.  If the purchaser was sending the items to an inmate they should have checked with the facility.   

[tubaphone52]

As it turns out I've had dealings with shipping to a prison in a nearby state and their rules allow books as long as they were shipped from at least 20 miles away. I would assume anyone ordering to a prison would know the rules of the prison they are shipping to otherwise it would be considered their fault right? I hate that I sound like a jerk but I have narrow margins to begin with - should I put something in my listings about not giving full refunds if the item is rejected or returned to sender?

[7606dennis]

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@tubaphone52 wrote:

As it turns out I've had dealings with shipping to a prison in a nearby state and their rules allow books as long as they were shipped from at least 20 miles away. I would assume anyone ordering to a prison would know the rules of the prison they are shipping to otherwise it would be considered their fault right? I hate that I sound like a jerk but I have narrow margins to begin with - should I put something in my listings about not giving full refunds if the item is rejected or returned to sender?

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How eBay would decide such a case I do not know.