Returns buyer unavailable

[voyt-99]

Hello, 

I am wondering if someone could help advise me on how to handle an unwanted return? 

My package was worth $750.00 and has a no return policy. $199.00 of the price was for shipping, clearly shown in the listing. Ebay required me to add signature confirmation to the shipping label because of the package value. Actual shipping cost was $196.00.

Now the problem- after the 1st day UPS attempted to deliver the package, I contacted the buyer and explained that the package needed to be signed for. Buyer stated that he was busy, but had a brother in law that works for UPS and that he was going to contact him.

I could do nothing but wait because I checked the tracking every day for 7 days and there were no updates to the tracking information since the 2nd delivery attempt. 2 days before the package would be returned to sender, I contacted the buyer again. He said that they didn't deliver to him. I updated him with the tracking number but he refused to go pick up his package. Now, the package is on its way back to me because of his negligence. He has opened a request asking for a full refund because he did not receive his item. Am I responsible for the $392.00 shipping bill? Should I go after Ebay for that due to their signature policy causing the situation? 

I got a feeling that I am going to get a different package back than I sent out. That this guy and his brother in law got my package from UPS without signing for it. But I am hoping I'm wrong. 

Any advice would be appreciated, 

Thanks!

[voyt-99]

Are you sure that he can't do a credit card charge back? Once the package is returned to sender, tracking would show that he didn't get his item, and would likely attempt a charge back to ebay, which would take it from my funds. Another thing I am not sure about? 

[aproudparent2010]

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@voyt-99 wrote:

I used ebay to  create the shipping label so tracking has been visible throughout. 

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You still need to go to the case and upload the tracking.....

[kensgiftshop]

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@voyt-99 wrote:

Are you sure that he can't do a credit card charge back? Once the package is returned to sender, tracking would show that he didn't get his item, and would likely attempt a charge back to ebay, which would take it from my funds. Another thing I am not sure about? 

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Yes, the buyer can go to their credit card and get a full refund.

[voyt-99]

If ebay denies a refund , I should be covered as a seller under ebay policy. But from what I have read, I'm not. Looks like the proof of delivery requirements are different . And, of course, if his credit card company wins a dispute against ebay, they simply take it from my funds, or charge my bank account. By this point, I would likely be unable to cancel the transaction I'm betting. That would leave one of us with a gain, ebay, one of us breaks even, the buyer, and one of us loses shipping expenses, 196.00, ebay fees, 122.00, plus SALES TAX! 53.00 which we don't even have in Montana, and therefore, should not be getting charged, or collected at all! Gotta love America! 

I really have only 2 viable options,

1. Because the buyer has asked for a refund in full, I can't give him a partial refund, I would have to refund him the full amount and I would lose 196.00 shipping, providing I get my antlers back. I should be able to cancel the transaction and have no ebay fees or taxes. 

2. I can wait for the case to play out. His request for refund should be denied. But he will likely go back through his credit card company and get his money back anyway, ebay will likely take that all from me, plus the extra 20.00 to deal with the credit card dispute. 

Because it will tie up his money for as long as possible, plus, it will at least give ebay a chance to cover me under the seller protection portion of the policy, I am choosing option 2. If ebay rules against the buyer, because I did everything I was supposed to and could do as a seller under ebay policy, then they should cover me. Otherwise, What am I  paying them all the money they take for? 

[voyt-99]

Well, everyone was wrong, this case closed with a full refund deducted from my funds thanks to Ebay! I lost shipping charges plus all Ebay fees. What a joke Ebay is! They will no longer be allowed to handle my money. I will find somewhere else to sell. EBAY IS A RIPOFF!

[candd205]

First off, I'm sorry this happened to you. Second, file an appeal, right now. 

[voyt-99]

Thank you candd205, I was able to recover my shipping fees and ebay fees through the appeals process. I didn't know that existed and would have gone away glowing mad inside if you hadn't helped me out. May God Bless you and your family. Thank you! 

[candd205]

I'm glad you were able to recover your costs and fees. God bless you too. You got the antlers back, right? You can sell them again now. Good luck to you.

[voyt-99]

Yes, I got the antlers back. It looked like UPS drug the box behind the truck on a chain. The skull plate was broken, front and back, but the antlers survived. I try to package well and it paid here because I didn't properly insure the shipment. It was my 1st shipment with UPS and unlike USPS labels printed through eBay, which add insurance for the sale amount, you have to add that with UPS. I can still cut the antlers off the damaged skull plate and sell them again. I am still satisfied with UPS because you had to see the tracking information, it was unbelievably long. It took just over a month to go to SC and then get returned to me. And it was my original package. They had to do their job twice. It's not the 1st time I've looked at a package and thought, they must throw it against the wall before loading it in the truck, every time! Over and over. 

[downunder-61]

elizabeth@ebay 

Any one in eBay land that can actually explain how all of this happened, pretty disgusting that a seller had to go to appeal what should have been a foregone conclusion, given eBay's own policy on refused packages.

[elizabeth@ebay]

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@downunder-61 wrote:

elizabeth@ebay 

Any one in eBay land that can actually explain how all of this happened, pretty disgusting that a seller had to go to appeal what should have been a foregone conclusion, given eBay's own policy on refused packages.

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Hey @downunder-61. Without being able to look deeply into the case, I'm unsure why it took the direction it did, but based on what you've described, you're correct and an appeal should not have been needed.

[downunder-61]

@voyt-99   Should have been a straight out win ^^^^^^^

[voyt-99]

Go back to Australia Bud! You can't stake claim to what is not yours, even if it is just a question! 

Yes, under ebay policy, the case should/ could've been decided without appeal, but, when you look at both sides, it seems that ebay policy also contributed to the problem? Or, kept another buyer of a 750+ dollar item from claiming it didn't arrive? After all, signature confirmation is for the benefit of the buyer, to assure they get their item of value. Any other item which shows delivery confirmation and disappears, well, that is the buyers problem. If they gave him nothing back, that wouldn't be right either. I know I'd be very upset if that was me. I'm satisfied with the outcome of the situation. Sorry I knocked Ebay like I did before the final decision was made. Hopefully, this post will help someone else. 

[downunder-61]

WOW...........aren't  you a treasure....in case you misunderstood my post, I was on your side, no way you should have had to appeal at all, which is why I tagged eBay ''BUD''

[voyt-99]

Sorry Rockstar, I thought this was a new reply from someone making a joke of things. My misunderstanding. I appreciate the help you gave me. Thank you.!