Return to Sender

[whoisbiggles]

I sold and sent to address provided by eBay.

Item returned to me safely, marked RTS.

I reckon I have just received the most dodgy advice from the chat service

Seriously suggesting I could keep the item and the buyers cash.....

I doubt that would end well.

FWIW I was trying to get eBay to give some compensation for the postage cost (I failed with that)

[oddsandendsoz]

This guy seems to really have a beef. A long time ago I was contacted by another seller who had also had issues with this seller.  He seems to really have a vendetta now. He tried to buy on an old account and even though I had him blocked on all his accounts he bought again recently.

The background to this is in this thread;

What would you do? - The eBay Community

At the time I was tempted to send him a message through the sale that I cancelled to say somthing along the lines of "We cancelled the sale as we identified the contact details matched details from an account we had previously blocked and as this is a violation of eBay's policies we have cancelled this sale. We will not be reporting this to eBay at this stage, but any further attempts to damage our account will lead to action being taken". I thought this might send a warning as I am sure he does not want any eBay investigations. But I decided not to send this in the end. So, perhaps he does not know why I cancelled the sale, and as such is trying other ways to sabotage our account. 

Does anyone have any advice on how to protect ourselves with this regarding the 2 returned sales? I am going to see if I can find any links between these two accounts and the 'rival seller'. Any help and advice gratefully received. 

[gutterpunkz05]

I send all my items on time and tracked, and then let ebay protect me, it is really that simple.

[oddsandendsoz]

Yes, so do I, always with full insurance and Signature on Delivery. I just feel that it is a little coincidental that I have two Returned to Sender items in a week from the same State as the 'rival seller'. And no communication at all from either to say anything. I have never had a return to sender parcel in 8 years before this. And one of the buyers seemed desperate to buy one of the products that he bought 3 of. 

[gutterpunkz05]

Not interested in the history.  If the 2 returned items (IE. Unclaimed) were shipped to meet your obligations to ebay, then you do not have to do anything to protect yourself, as you are covered by ebay, who will be responsible for any refunds.

Out of curiosity, could floods have impacted the delivery/collection

[oddsandendsoz]

I never considered the floods, but on checking both parcels were going to Melbourne (neither area's affected by the floods). I suppose somehow it could have impacted them collecting the parcels but neither has sent a message at all. 

It seems a strange coincidence given I have never had a RTS before. I am curious what you say above though regarding "you have fulfilled your obligations", do you have personal experience of this in regards to eBay being responsible for any refund? 

[gutterpunkz05]

Yes, definately have personal experience of ebay footing the bill, for lost/missing/overdue and unclaimed/RTS shipments.

Have even had ebay fully refund a buyer, at their expense (goodwill payment), after the buyer had

acknowledged receipt of a flood delayed item.  No cost or penalties applied to my account.

[oddsandendsoz]

So my buyer has finally made contact with me regarding his order that was returned to me (RTS) after not been collected for 13 days at his PO Box. Customer had lodged an AP customer enquiry on the 19th October and on 20th it was sent back to me, so I presume the buyer advised to RTS. 

Now I am wondering how best to proceed? Do I refund in total, refund minus the eBay fees, speak with eBay, or advise the buyer to contact eBay? 

[davewil1964]

I would refund the buyer less fees and postage, AFTER I receive the item back.

No need to contact eBay or the buyer. They are way out of time for a dispute and they can't claim INR as non-collection is not a valid reason.

[oddsandendsoz]

Thanks Dave.

The buyer has been in touch and said that he sent to wrong address (his old address which was a PO Box) and wants me to still receive his order. He has asked if we can send to the new address, but he is willing to pay for new postage. I am reluctant to do this as we will be effectively sending to an address other than the one he entered. Any thoughts on this? 

My instinct is to cancel the order and if he wants to re-order then that is OK. Would anyone agree? 

[eol-products]

Depends on the value of the item but this is how I usually go about it. Under a certain amount you can create a listing for postage for that item. Over a certain amount just send to the new address and wear the cost. If its high value then the buyer has to buy it again so seller protection is covered. 

Just depends on how much time you have and if something goes wrong how much you are willing to lose.