Buyers supplied delivery address incorrect...buyer won't confirm...

[bicyclewhisperer]

Happy new year everyone!  I recently (4 days ago) sold some bicycle parts.  The buyer has paid via Paypal, but his delivery address in Paypal is "xxxxx parade heidelberg melbourne, Victoria 3081".  When attempting to pay for the postage with Click and Send, I got an error message that the postcode is incorrect.  So I checked with the good old Australia Post postcode booklet, Google maps and also whereis.com. They all tell me that Heidelberg is 3084, and that Heidelberg West and Heidelberg Heights is 3081, and more specifically, that his address is in Heidelberg West.

I sent the buyer two messages asking him to confirm.  He only replied to one of them.  All he replied with was "3081".  That's it. I followed up with a third message similar to the info I've given above.  I'm still waiting a reply from this one.

Should I modify his postal address in Click and Send to Heidelberg West?  In the event of the buyer not receiving the parts, would I have a leg to stand on with a INR/Paypal dispute if I have modified his address without his consent?  Can I/should I force his given (incorrect) address into the click and send system?  How long do I wait to hear back from him?

Thanks! seller_of_stuff_qld

[fred_fred_2004]

look up the address in google maps, he's proberbly right on the boundry

[patchoo78]

Having looked at Google maps myself, I think Fred could be right.. They are pretty close to each other on the map

[patchoo78]

Ask the buyer to confirm the exact suburb where he lives rather than ask what the postcode is.. 

[bicyclewhisperer]

I asked him his exact suburb in my third message to him, but still no reply.  I think it would probably get there if I changed it to Heidelberg West.  But I was concerned it may null and void any protection I may have in the event of an 'item not received' dispute or something.

[boomct]

Tricky because Paypal won't offer you seller protection unless you use the address given in Paypal.   And Click and send won't let you use the address given in Paypal!! 

Now, because you are giving the correct street and house number the postcode difference would most probably not be an issue - posties are used to slight variations with Heidelberg postcodes and will use the street and number as their main reference.

But yes, you wouldn't be protected in the event of a mishap unless you use the Paypal address especially since both Paypal and the buyer have said 3081 despite the suburb name discrepancy. 

I would go to the post office for this one, using the exact Paypal address, and get proof of shipment to protect yourself- see post # 60 from the other thread:

paypal seller protection warning for all sellers

I don't think there'll be any problems with delivery though.  Hopefully  . . . 🙂 

[fred_fred_2004]

Whats the item worth? If its cheap I wouldnt worry just get it posted, if it's worth over $50 send it registered at the PO

[bicyclewhisperer]

fred - the items are worth $37 in total - just enough to annoy me if things go awry!

boomct - good advice, thanks.  Just wondering how can I get Click and Send to take his address though?

[davewil1964]

I google the street and number. If they don't match Paypal, stiff bickies. I use the real address and postcode, rather than the one the buyer thinks they live at. I have not had an issue with this yet and don't expect to.

Given that the address I send to is where they actually live, I don't expect non-receipt. I also expect that if the item goes missing and Paypal object to me sending to the real address, the FOS will side with me.

There is a point at which there is no point alienating the buyer. If his postcode is 3081 then send it to Heidelburg West. Or send it via non-Paypal protected satchel (at more expense) to Heidelburg. Either way, I'll bet he gets it.

There is such a thing as overcaution and I think you are suffering from it.

[boomct]

Good question!

I thought I'd suggest typing in your address manually rather than using the saved ebay items box in click and send but even when I entered a 'John Smith' in a real street in Heidelberg  with 3081 it wouldn't process it until I corrected the suburb to Heidelberg west.

Arrghhh Click and send frustrates me!!

I'm not sure if you can get them to change it . . . .  worth a phone call to them perhaps?