Sale item - Returned to sender?

[expanded_perceptions]

Hi all,

Well it looks more than likely that one of my items will be returned to sender, as despite the parcel being in waiting since 10th, it is still there according to tracking and phone contact with Australia Post. The cust rep did say that the "cannot have been picked up, as it cannot be released without scanning", although I know this to be incorrect, as I have had a couple of items done just that!

What I am asking is two-fold a) would you contact the buyer by phone and ask, I am reluctant to do this as a few sellers have noted, as it may just lead to alerting them that tracking is wrong, if indeed they did collect?

b) what is the correct procedure for returned items, from both ebay and paypals perspective? This item was free shipping, which is obviously impossible, but was an all in price. Shipping was possibly $25.00, if I refund, can I omit the postage costs? Is there a way of reporting unclaimed items to ebay? Could I hold the item and wait?

c) okay tri-fold :)) I have decided to pick up the item if it is not collected in the timeframe, this is because it will be another 3 or 4 days waiting for it to be returned on what is a limited and in demand item, and I only live perhaps twenty minutes away. What precaustions should i take if picking up? I will ask Aus Poat to weigh the item before I sign for it to ensure it is the same as it was when sent, I also have images of the item on the weighing scales when sent at the PO to match it, is there anything else you would do? I cannot help being suspicious when the item is paid for, but not collected, I wonder if the scammer backed out when realised that they must sign for the item, and that it is fully insured, meaning if any dispute Aus Post would investigate?

[saarzi]

I think youre jumping way ahead of yourself. Lots of things might happen, but you havent even tried step one yet 🙂

I suspect if you pick up an item thats addressed to someone else, you are flagging that item as delivered. I think that could bite you. I dont really think you have a right to pick up someone elses item without their knowledge... even if you refund it. If I was the buyer Id feel violated and pretty **bleep** off. Others might not care. Who knows.

Id email the sender via Ebay and tell them its arrived and waiting for them to pick it up. Tell them you thought youd let them know because you noticed via the tracking that its been there for a week and Auspost generally returns to sender after so many days, and you wouldnt want them to miss out on their awesome item.

Ive had several buyers who have said item never arrived - but it was because the post office never told them it was there - the 'pick up' card was never delivered to them.

They could still be waiting for it, and you could end up with a negative feedback for item not arrived if you dont let them know, which will be a hassle to have removed (IF Ebay decides to remove it).

Some buyers need to be hand fed.

If he does know its there, He might be away, he might have had a hard week at work. Either way, WHEN he picks it up is up to him.

Or I could be reading this wrong.. lol

[expanded_perceptions]

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@gtx305 wrote:
I think youre jumping way ahead of yourself. Lots of things might happen, but you havent even tried step one yet 🙂

I suspect if you pick up an item thats addressed to someone else, you are flagging that item as delivered. I think that could bite you. I dont really think you have a right to pick up someone elses item without their knowledge... even if you refund it. If I was the buyer Id feel violated and pretty **bleep** off. Others might not care. Who knows.

Id email the sender via Ebay and tell them its arrived and waiting for them to pick it up. Tell them you thought youd let them know because you noticed via the tracking that its been there for a week and Auspost generally returns to sender after so many days, and you wouldnt want them to miss out on their awesome item.

Ive had several buyers who have said item never arrived - but it was because the post office never told them it was there - the 'pick up' card was never delivered to them.

They could still be waiting for it, and you could end up with a negative feedback for item not arrived if you dont let them know, which will be a hassle to have removed (IF Ebay decides to remove it).

Some buyers need to be hand fed.

If he does know its there, He might be away, he might have had a hard week at work. Either way, WHEN he picks it up is up to him.

Or I could be reading this wrong.. lol

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Thanks for your input! I email and message through eBay as soon as I send an order with tracking info, I did this on the day I handed over to Australia Post. After seeing it still awaiting collection I contacted Aus Post customer service on Tuesday to query, and they as far as they know it was still awaiting pick up. They also said that a reminder note would have been issued on Tuesday to say it is ready for collection. So again it is a couple of days and still nothing?

Yes the buyer could be away. And of course the thought crossed my mind that something may have taken priority in their life, but still they could request Aus Post transfer the item, also the particular PO is open at 7am for collections, and according to their address, they live 2 or 3 mins away from the PO?

I just don't want the item returned to me and it take another 3 or 4 days. I do understand what you are saying, perhaps I will send a message through eBay?

[expanded_perceptions]

Ok, so an update and I would really appreciate some input!! I sent another eBay message and email to the buyer last night, and then this morning I got their contact details and sent them a text, no reply to any of that so far? I also swung by the PO that the parcel is 'awaiting collection' at, and the parcel is indeed still there and looks untouched (part of me was wondering if it is a scam by a delivery driver etc..). The PO staff were great and have agreed to hold the parcel for a few more days, and even took the buyers phone details so they can send a courtesy text too, they also said that it is ok for me to pick the item up when the hold period expires and then it will show up in tracking as 'returned to sender'.

Of course I hope the buyer is ok, that goes without saying. I do wonder what course of action I should take if the item is not picked up though? Have I avoided a scammer? Has their account been hacked for instance, and how do I deal with this in eBay and PayPal? A non payer is bad enough, but by the time I get my item back, it may be 3 weeks that it has been out of my posession and a massive chunk of that is my own funds! Yes I have had their payment, but PayPal is the one making interest off it, now I have to refund the cost and have wasted 3 weeks and considerable time, not to mention that the funds locked in to this transaction could have bought me a lot of stock!! Seems wrong, and I also feel I should protect other buyers from potential harm? What would you guys do?

[sparrow2207]

If you have to do a refund because it gets returned to you, you have to repay ALL of it because item was listed with "free post" you cannnot deduct the actual postage cost.  We all know there is no such thing as free post as it is factored into the starting/buy now price.  One reason that I don't list many items with free post.

As the buyer is not responding to email/text or AP collection cards there is not much else you can do but refund upon return of item.

[raffta1]

I dont think ypu have been scammed. Many reasons why they havent pickedit up ect... If they dont pickit up, the post office will return it to you. I know I can go weeks with checking emails and as for my mobile phone, its only useful if I charge it (which is hardley ever, and yesmy friends get annoyed as I miss texts and calls). 

Best option, wait,get the itemback, and refund the buyer. Yes maybe a bit inconveniant, but stuff happens some times,

[expanded_perceptions]

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@sparrow2207 wrote:

If you have to do a refund because it gets returned to you, you have to repay ALL of it because item was listed with "free post" you cannnot deduct the actual postage cost.  We all know there is no such thing as free post as it is factored into the starting/buy now price.  One reason that I don't list many items with free post.

As the buyer is not responding to email/text or AP collection cards there is not much else you can do but refund upon return of item.

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Thanks, I kind of feared as much! Crazy.......eBay keeps sending me a message to recommend how to 'improve my sales' with FAST AND FREE, and yet this kind of 'sale' can happen and I am $25-30 out of pocket!!! And worse, beacuse the buyer did not refuse to pay, they probably won't even get a strike against their name!!

[expanded_perceptions]

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@raffta1 wrote:

I dont think ypu have been scammed. Many reasons why they havent pickedit up ect... If they dont pickit up, the post office will return it to you. I know I can go weeks with checking emails and as for my mobile phone, its only useful if I charge it (which is hardley ever, and yesmy friends get annoyed as I miss texts and calls). 

Best option, wait,get the itemback, and refund the buyer. Yes maybe a bit inconveniant, but stuff happens some times,

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Yes, I hope you are right, perhaps they just changed their mind, however, they had all weekend to send a message to say that they wished to cancel. Also, the email provided is a university email, so I would imagine, like most students they are glued to their phone. I checked their feedback and history and all seemed good. It is not so much that I think THEY may have scammed me, but it is possible someone has hacked their account, or they have moved back overseas? I checked the watchcount site and this is the only sale on their account, bizarre!

[raffta1]

no probs

[sparrow2207]

When you get item back and refund them do a follow-up on their feedback stating "Item returned for non collection from AP outlet and full refund given".

If buyer suddenly reappears and wants to rebuy I would refuse them.  I would also add them to my "special list".  Not worth all the frustration.