Buyer has asked to have their order sent to a different address

[twolittlemissesboutique]

Hi all, hoping someone can give me a bit of an idea on what to do to cover myself here.
I had someone purchase a dress and then message me asking if I could send it to "such and such name" at "such and such address" instead of their registered address. They also asked me to not include an invoice in the package.
I'm guessing it may be a gift or something and they want it sent straight to the recipient but I'm a little wary because then they could easily claim it hasn't been received.
I was thinking of messaging them back and letting them know that I am happy to do that but then I do not take any responsibility if the parcel is not delivered. I will be sending it as a tracked parcel.
What would you do in this situation?

[thecatspjs]

I would be tempted too ... however if the seller cops a negative from the buyer I have little doubt that you would get one too OR an item not received dispute that they would win as you would not be able to provide proof of post.

I agree with other posters, I would message that you have already prepared it for post and your policy is to only send to address on paypal advice or you will compromise both buyer and seller paypal protection.

[twolittlemissesboutique]

Essentially, it doesn't matter what I do, there is going to be the risk of a defect and/or negative feedback from this buyer whatever I do. I just hope that if I follow ebay rules as closely as possible (ie: send to the address on Paypal) then if the buyer does give me bad feedback then maybe ebay will remove it for me... maybe....

I hate being put in a position like this 😞

[horizon1907]

I hope all works out well for you. I agree, it's a situation that you could well do without.  Fingers crossed, it will all work out well. 

[lousbloomingarden]

Golly, I do that a lot..I ask for item to be sent to one of my kids or my grand child or my sister, saves me double postage. I didnt think of any repercussions...

[thecatspjs]

Put the address you want the item sent to in at checkout Lou to save everyone worry or grief.

Its simple to do, and the addresses are saved for selection in the future. 

[cq_tech]

So do I Lou, but I always add the desired delivery address to my eBay checkout so that it appears on the Paypal payment advice. To do it any other way will totally compromise Paypal's buyer protection.

[sashas*goodies]

I have sent parcels to alternate addresses in the past without any repercussions at all

Never thought twice about it.

Keep a note of the tracking number to trace the parcel delivery in case you feel it may go astray.

Also, if you can manage it, post the parcel over the counter to get proof of lodgement from your post office.

[robinsonmarineparts]

If it was me i would do as they ask, other wise they may send a neg feed back.

I would  NOT send a business card or any thing to say the item is from me rather than the buyer.

It sounds perfectly legitimate to me and a not unreasonable request..

But your not me.

[twolittlemissesboutique]

Thank you everyone for your input.
The only things that are making me hesitate to send it is that it is to a different name and the fact that they sell the same dress as me so they are my direct competition. Even if I do as they request they can easily say it wasn't received and leave negative feedback in an attempt to drive me out of business.
I will wait until tomorrow to reply to them and hopefully I will get a reply from ebay with their advice before then. I think I will send it to the address that they have asked me to send it to but I will add signature on delivery as well as the tracking so I know it gets delivered. I have saved the message they sent me in case I need it for "evidence".
Thanks again everyone, it is great to get help from experienced sellers 🙂

[thecatspjs]

Do you understand that you will lose your seller protection if you send a different address than on the paypal advice and eBay order form.

Paying for signature on delivery will not win you the paypal claim - paypal conditions are very clear, you negate protection if you do not send to paypal address.