Can't pickup due to lockdown. It's been over a month, seller also moved house.

[huatao1975]

Hello,

I bought 2 Pickup Only items (worth more than $100, paid by PayPal) from a seller when Melbourne entered a "snap lockdown" early August.  I thought I was able to pick it up in 3 days, didn't expect the lockdown to turn into a long term one, and have been unable to pick it up since.

I'll pass seller's suburb in 2 weeks for vaccination, so I thought this is an opportunity to pick it up.  I thought if the seller can have the items in a box and leave it in his front yard I can drive by and pick it up without any contact.

I contacted the seller explaining my intention, he said he's moved house, the items are now with his sister.

I asked for more details. Is himself / sister still able to provide pickup in the same suburb? No replies.

Should I wait for a bit longer or lodge a PayPal case now ? It's over the 30 days eBay money back period. Or is there a better way? Maybe I can send a courier or something, I'll cover the cost of course.

Thank You

[papermoon.lady]

When did you ask for more details?

Well, at some stage if there is no reply you will have to open a PP case of course if you have already paid.

[huatao1975]

Thanks for the reply. I asked this morning before we had our earthquake. I sent another message during the day, still no replies.

I looked up sendle, the prices are quite reasonable (same city). I'll let seller know tomorrow that I'll organise a sendle pickup instead of going there myself. And if still no replies,  I'll give it a few more days before opening a PP case on Monday.

[papermoon.lady · Accepted solution]

Yes, luckily you are protected. Not saying this is the case, but it is a bit strange that the seller said he has moved (during lockdown?) and that the items are now with his sister... And when he gave the items to his sister, didn't he think of letting you know? Wait a few more days (also because of the earthquake), but not too long.

[sugar249]

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@huatao1975 wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I asked this morning before we had our earthquake. I sent another message during the day, still no replies.

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Wow, you sent a message this morning and you are already considering a PP dispute,  come on lets get real, some people do work and don't have access to their emails at the drop of a hat,  lets give them a day or 2 before you start accusing them of not responding.

[sugar249]

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@papermoon.lady wrote: but it is a bit strange that the seller said he has moved (during lockdown?) 

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Come on, many people are still moving during the lockdown, houses were bought and sold before the lockdown begun,  blimey some reality please, nothing strange about that

[jellybirddesigns · Accepted solution]

Sounds a bit weird and the seller does not seem very inclined to help you, especially since they're now claiming the items are elsewhere (which you would not have known until you contacted them). The seller cannot keep your money without assisting you in getting your items. The fact that they are not replying to your messages or updating you is a red flag.

Don't bother with spending more money on Sendle.

Open a case in Paypal right now for "Item Not Received". This way you will get your funds back, and you can always repurchase from the seller when things are a bit clearer (if you want to).

[huatao1975]

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@jellybirddesigns wrote:

Sounds a bit weird and the seller does not seem very inclined to help you, especially since they're now claiming the items are elsewhere (which you would not have known until you contacted them). The seller cannot keep your money without assisting you in getting your items. The fact that they are not replying to your messages or updating you is a red flag.

Don't bother with spending more money on Sendle.

Open a case in Paypal right now for "Item Not Received". This way you will get your funds back, and you can always repurchase from the seller when things are a bit clearer (if you want to).

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I checked seller's account. He's still got 20 items for sale. All listed as "Pickup Only" from the same suburb as my items.

But I'll ask him again on Monday. If still no replies. I'll have to lodge a PayPal case on Tuesday.

[lynsh84]

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@papermoon.lady wrote:

Yes, luckily you are protected. Not saying this is the case, but it is a bit strange that the seller said he has moved (during lockdown?) and that the items are now with his sister... And when he gave the items to his sister, didn't he think of letting you know? Wait a few more days (also because of the earthquake), but not too long.

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I don't know about other states but in NSW houses are still being bought and sold.....and we can still prepare them for sale (get tradesmen in etc)

[huatao1975]

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@jellybirddesigns wrote:

Sounds a bit weird and the seller does not seem very inclined to help you, especially since they're now claiming the items are elsewhere (which you would not have known until you contacted them). The seller cannot keep your money without assisting you in getting your items. The fact that they are not replying to your messages or updating you is a red flag.

Don't bother with spending more money on Sendle.

Open a case in Paypal right now for "Item Not Received". This way you will get your funds back, and you can always repurchase from the seller when things are a bit clearer (if you want to).

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I sent another msg to seller offering to meet up at a car park near his house instead.  Again no replies, it's been 48 hours.

I remember to lodge a PayPal case, they need (optional) some proof that I have contacted the seller, and if it's from eBay, I have contacted eBay first.

So I contacted eBay. eBay agent verbally sided with me, created 2 cases for the 2 items, saying seller has not provided pickup information, these 2 cases are for them sending reminders to seller so they can respond and provide PickUp info, or send refund. But due to the fact it's over 30 days period, I should move on to PayPal if seller does not issue refund. I thought I can then use this eBay chat transcript as evidence when I lodge PayPal dispute later, I understand I can not have eBay cases and PayPal cases at the same time.

The seller, this time, immediately responded to the eBay cases (only took him 10 minutes). Lying about everything, saying he's still got the items (forgot about his sister already), he's already provided me with his address etc.

I responded again and ask him to write his address there, as a response to the eBay case.

He's gone silent again.

Thank you for your advice not bothering with Sendle. I always thought this person might be in some difficulties or family issues and tried to be understanding and helpful whenever I can. I didn't expect a person like this.