Getting a refund returned

[maison_full]

I recently sold an old iPod on eBay. After the buyer paid, I posted the iPod to them via Sendle. When the iPod arrived not by due date, I started an investigation with Sendle. After a few days, Sendle reported the item as lost, so I duly sent the buyer a refund. Then Sendle announced the item had been found and the buyer confirmed it had arrived. (This is the second time Sendle has messed me around and I recommend no-one use them. ) I’ve had a little communication with the buyer, but not much over the past few days; they now have the iPod and I’m out of pocket for no good reason.  Are there procedures for getting a refund returned? Has anyone else had this situation?

[papermoon.lady]

Give the buyer your PayPal email address and ask them to send you the money, or ask for their PayPal email address and send them a payment request.

Usually you cannot exchange email addresses, but the bots seem to understand such situations, as I have been in such situations a few times and messages have never been blocked.

[domino-710 · Accepted solution]

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@maison_full wrote:

 Then Sendle announced the item had been found and the buyer confirmed it had arrived. 

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If the buyer is not responding to messages it is highly unlikely they will respond with an email address - for payment.

You have the above information - contact eBay via ' chat ' - give them the details - in full.

[daydreams_12]

Just as an aside, your listings state Ebay Postage Labels (sendle) but then are charging AP prices.  Not really fair to your buyers in my opinion.

[maison_full]

If I get no reply from the buyer, I’ll do that. Thanks. 

[*sons_n_daughters*]

One thing I've learned over the years is, don't commence any investigations unless the buyer contacts you, or opens a dispute. Tracking is not always updated to delivered, which can then cause the scenario you have. A buyer will soon let you know if their item hasn't arrived. 

Some buyers can be sneaky and see the tracking hasn't been updated and open a dispute, even though they have the item, but sadly, you can't prove it. I wouldn't even send the buyer a message asking if it has arrived, because it might put ideas into their head about claiming a refund.

I've posted quite a few things where the tracking never said delivered, and never heard from any of the buyers, so I can only assume they received their items. I've only ever had to do one refund for INR, and that was on an untracked item. For all I know, the buyer got it, but I couldn't prove it, so had to refund. It was only $10, so no big issue.

[designers*n*more]

Just to add, eBay tracking is woeful at times, and certainly not accurate.  I lodged a parcel at the PO at around 4.00pm. Aust Post tracking shows correct time etc. EBay tracking on the other hand had tracking showing received by Aust Post at 1.30am!

[asporty]

Exactly same thing with me. Sendle confirms item is lost so I refund the buyer, and lodge a Sendle claim. Then Sendle delivers and closed the claim.

Ebay absolutely refuse to step in, saying its between me, the buyer and Sendle.

[domino-710]

Don't use Sendle.

[asporty]

UPDATE:

Buyer agrees to pay partial, have a chat session with Sendle who agree to pay the remaining sale amount via free postage labels. Now waiting for payment and free labels to appear in my account.