No secure location available on package sent

[wickedjester3]

I am an ebay seller. I sent an item on November 15th 2023. The tracking states that on November 20th that there was a notice left (no secure location available). The package has not moved since that date. Now, on December 31st, the buyer requested a refund. Am I liable to give the buyer a refund? They state that the post office sent the item back to me which clearly isn't the case.

[richard1rst · Accepted solution]

eBay's policy is that a legitimate delivery attempt which can not be done for a variety of circumstances covers you against Item Not Received claims. DO NOT issue a refund. If the buyer opens an INR case enter the tracking number and comment on what has happened. That covers you.

Check the tracking to see if it is indeed on the way back to you.

If, on the other hand, you do get it back then issuing a refund minus the outgoing postage would be the ethical thing to do. Then re-list and sell it to someone else.

[wickedjester3]

Thank you for your help. The tracking has not been updated since November 20th. No indication that it has been on its way back to me nor if it will ever be returned to me. It has been longer than 30 calendar days so I wasn't sure what the policies are. I responded to the buyer with updated tracking showing that it was not being returned to me and that the package has been in "limbo" since that date, and I have not issued a refund. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. It was very helpful. 

[jrkirk]

You might also want to block the original buyer due to the problem shipping address.

[deserdog]

You can also try calling the delivering post office to see if they indeed have shipped it back to you, or if they still have it in their possession.

[toomuchstuffagain35]

File a  missing mail/lost parcel claim.

[the_fancy_fox]

Depending on the value, I would consider recalling it as well.