Item paid for but not collected - when is it considered "abandoned"?

[janellehollycat]

Hi there - have another case with an odd purchaser. 

Item ended on 19 Nov, 2013.  I had to open an unpaid item on this one and item was finally paid for on 28-Nov-13 via PayPal.  Purchaser did not want to pay postage and was happy to collect item if I left item outside the front door, which I have done since 29 November. 

I have sent quite a few email reminders to the purchaser to collect his winning items.  I have also offered to send him a postage invoice a couple of times so that I can post his items to him.  He keeps saying he is coming to collect but it never happens.

Today, I sent him an email saying that he needs to collect his items by 20 December or items will be relisted or given to charity.  I also said that I will give no refund for uncollected items.  I think I am within my rights to do this.

My question now is when is this item considered "abandoned".  What timeframe needs to elapse before I can legally deal with what are essentially the purchaser's items?

I'm really torn with this one because this purchaser's feedback is excellent but I have had nothing but hassles from him since 19 November - what do I do now?? 

Thanks!

[digital*ghost]

I don't know much (i.e I know nothing) about this sort of thing, but there has been a few threads abot the same or similar circumstance(s). 

This is the first one that came up in a quick search of the forum, and I don't know how helpful it will be for you, but it might give you a place to start: http://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Selling/Buyer-has-paid-for-items-but-has-not-picked-them-up-in-over-...

[thecatspjs]

Have you rung the buyer? Sometimes these matters can be sorted out more successfully with a phone call.

[janellehollycat]

Thanks but personally I hate phone calls and I don't even own a mobile (that shows you how much I hate phones) - I email. 

Now I just need to know the law in this regard.  Anyone?

[davewil1964]

Send them an email giving a 7 day timeframe for pickup. If they don't turn up, refund them.

You will lose your FVF, but I'm fairly sure you will have to wait several months for the goods to be considered abandoned.

Btw, no need to start a new thread. It IS dinner time in most of the country.