Charged for RTS because buyer gave wrong address. How to recoup charges?

[thewillawoman]

Hello!  I had a buyer with the wrong shipping address purchase an item and then issue a "not received" notice on the item.  It took a few weeks, but the item was eventually returned to me (UPS). 

But, eBay (UPS?) charged me an additional $5.25 for the return shipping.

The item I sold was only a few dollars margin for me, but now I'm down with no profit and in the red because of the return shipping fee.

Is there any way to recoup this?

If not, is there a way to prevent this in the future?

I was found "not at fault".  And I did put the buyer on my blocked list.  I'm hoping he can't issue a neg feedback. 

Thanks!

Lisa W.

[dryophelia]

@thewillawoman 

Items that are RTS do not qualify for buyer protection. You are under no obligation to refund at all. 
If you want to figure all your expenses on this transaction and refund the difference to them, you can. 

Generally, buyers that pay can leave feedback. If they do leave negative, respond calmly with the facts.

[pjcdn2005]

I doubt that there is anything you can do to recoup those costs. As far as preventing it happening in the future, I don't think that it is a common issue but you might want to use USPS instead of UPS at least for smaller items.  Ground advantage would probably be less expensive and I don't think that usps charges for return to sender in most cases.   Media mail may be the exception.