Take a look and advise please

[evry1nositswindy]

As a seller, I keep an eye on tracking and then leave FB once delivered.  I have a tracking that says this:

In the eyes of eBay, is this considered delivered?  Can the buyer say item not received?  Will the item be returned to me if it isn't picked up after a certain time period?  Please advise.  

The carrier attempted to deliver the item.

Accepted
Step 1 - Completed - Accepted Mon, Jan 27Mon, Jan 27

In transit
Step 2 - Completed - In transit

Out for delivery
Step 3 - Exception - Out for delivery

Estimated delivery
Step 4 - Upcoming - Estimated delivery Sat, Feb 1Sat, Feb 1

Tracking details

USPS tracking #9449008205496042293543

• Jan 30, 2020
• 9:47am

• Notice Left (No Secure Location Available)
• BEMIDJI, MN 56601

• Jan 30, 2020
• 7:10am

• Out for Delivery
• BEMIDJI, MN 56601

• Jan 30, 2020
• 5:20am

• Arrived at Post Office
• BEMIDJI, MN 56601

• Jan 30, 2020
• 4:35am

• Departed USPS Destination Facility
• BEMIDJI, MN 56601

[flyinhawaiiangirl]

USPS will attempt delivery again. No secure location available in MN could be snow blocking the area to the mailbox, or something like that.

[evry1nositswindy]

Didn't think of snow.  The last time it happened, the buyer messaged me and said it was sent to a business and it was closed.  She got it after the weekend and all was well.  The time frame is much longer this time.

[nc-daydreamer]

No, this is not considered delivered.  Out for delivery is not the same as being delivered.  As far as being returned to you, that is up to the post office.

Have you spoken with the buyer and confirmed the address is correct? Have you called the post office (the 800 number from the website) to report the problem?

Yes, if the buyer has issues, they can cause you trouble.  The buyer can file an INR and you will have to refund in whole and take the service metric hit if they file - so talk with them and try to make friends before they complain; assuring them that you are monitoring the situation and will take care of them.  They may choose to have you refund before the situation is settled - but be aware they might still get the package anyway. Your return address on the label is accurate, right?

The last time this happened to me, it took the post office over a month to get the package back to me. Gratefully, the communication with the buyer was good and he waited for the package to come back to me, then he repaid postage and I reshipped - he got it the second time. He never filed a claim, nor marked it as late. Note that the PO charged me full first class postage for the slow return.

[lex-talon]

After the second delivery attempt, the package will be held for up to 15 days from the initial delivery attempt and then returned to sender.

[flyinhawaiiangirl]

Has there not been another delivery attempt since Feb. 1st? Was it a box, or an envelope? I've had this message a few times, once due to snow, once due to the oversized USPS lock box mailboxes full, and once because I think the carrier just ran out of time in the day.

[lacemaker3 · Accepted solution]

@evry1nositswindy, that package was delivered today, at 3:14 pm on February 7, 2020 in BEMIDJI, MN 56601.

In my experience, eBay will normally accept an "Attempted delivery" scan as proof that the seller got the package to the buyer's shipping address. The buyer is then responsible to pick it up or make arrangements for redelivery. Yes, the post office will return to sender if it isn't picked within (I think) 2 weeks. But the seller should still be covered, if the buyer didn't pick it up or get it redelivered.

[evry1nositswindy]

@nc-daydreamer  Yes, I already messaged the buyer.  She bought it as a gift for her friend's child.  I think I would be okay there.  She told me that her friend was going to arrange another delivery but that was at the beginning of the week.  

[evry1nositswindy]

@lacemaker3  Of course it was delivered after I posted about it!  It hadn't been delivered when I looked.  Thanks!  Probably was snow. 

[nc-daydreamer]

I am glad everything worked out. 

[evry1nositswindy]

Even got positive feedback today:)

[7606dennis]

Why would you leave feedback immediately upon the tracking showing the item was delivered?  That is not a sign that the item arrived safely and the buyer is satisfied.