Item refunded due to non delivery but has been returned to me.

[sardonicus001]

I sold a CD to a buyer in Norway on 11th March and shipped it the same day. On 8th April he complained that it hadn't arrived and PayPal gave him a complete refund. I have checked and ascertained that I posted it to the address he gave me. The returned item bears a sticker stating that it has been returned unclaimed. The CD was only $13 however the postage was $32, meaning that whilst I have the CD I have lost $32 in postage. Can Discogs do anything about this or is it a matter for PayPal?

[sardonicus001]

My mistake. I must have clicked the wrong link, I meant to pose the question on a Discogs furum. I have also realised that I haven't lost any money. The buyer paid $45 for the item and the postage and was refunded that $45. I am not out of pocket and even have the CD which I can relist. Thanks everybody (even the more sarcastic of you). Nonetheless, the tracking number shows that the item was delivered but not collected, which was not my fault.

[eol-products]

So you are saying Paypal funded the refund and not you. Its been some time since using Paypal as a seller so if I remember correctly you only need to show the item was sent not delivered to be covered by the seller protection.

[sardonicus001]

I'm afraid your maths is too simple and also incorrect. My reasoning? The buyer paid me $32 postage. I used that $32 to buy a postage label. The buyer did not collect his package (even though it was delivered). PayPal refunded him the $32. Ipso facto, I am down the $32 I paid for the label. Tell me where I am wrong.

[davewil1964]

Where you are are wrong is contained in your post.

The buyer was refunded the $32. You paid $32 for postage. Unless you were charged $32 for the return, you are not out of pocket.

Maybe provide some REAL figures. Like total receipts, total refunded. The total cost to you at the end of the transaction. Total other things that would get deleted if I mentioned them.

And I reiterate, what has this to do with eBay?

[michael_cullis]

It has nothing to do with eBay. My mistake. I apologise profusely. The question is relevant anyway.

Real figures? Someone, namely me, paid Australia post $32 for postage. The buyer initially paid me $32 for postage. He was refunded the $32 by Paypal. Note that I bought the label and no one refunded me. Hence I am out of pocket $32.

[gutterpunkz05]

Who was actually responsible for funding the refund.  If  PP  met the cost as a matter of goodwill, then you the seller are not out of pocket, but if PP have fully refunded the buyer at your expense, then you are  out of pocket the $32 actual postage fee.

[sardonicus001]

Thank you gutterpunkz05. I cannot remember the details. I have a policy of refunding buyers if their order doesn't arrive in a reasonable time. I think that what happened that the buyer in Norway complained that his order had not arrived after a month so I gave him a refund. The CD arrived in my letterbox yesterday as it had not been claimed. The tracking number shows that it was delivered but not claimed and then returned to me. I may approach PayPal with a view to having them refund me the postage.

[eol-products]

The buyer would have had to make a paypal claim for you to be covered for seller protection so I do not see that you can do it retrospectively in this case.

[davewil1964]

Let's do some numbers.

You were paid x plus $32.

You paid $32 for postage. Not your money, the buyer's.

You refunded x plus $32.

You have the item back.

As the buyer funded the postage cost, you never actually paid it - the buyer did.

You have the item back, so you are only out non-refundable fees.

[davewil1964]

Incorrect