Shipping problem

[expanded_perceptions]

Hi community,

Hoping you fine and wise people can help? I just sold an item in the last 12 hours to someone and unfortunately their address is a PO Box, this has happened previously and on contacting the buyers have usually managed to get a residential address to ship to. The reason I am unable to ship to a PO Box is because the item must be signed for by a person over the age of 18 as it is alcohol, and another is I send all items with insurance, and PO Box items cannot be insured because of the lack of signature.

I recently updated my selling preferences to exclude PO Boxes and overseas countries, but somehow this sale still went through? I have already contacted the seller and requested a residential address, but am still waiting for a response through eBay and the PayPal email address, understandable because its only been a few hours. My question is two-fold; 1) If I receive no response what timeframe would be acceptable to cancel the transaction through 'something wrong with address' option, and 2) due to the new Paypal and eBay policies, by sending to an address that is different to the PayPal one (the PO Box) am I setting myself up for a chargeback?

Also this sale appeared to go through because in the buyers postage address, instead of PO Box blah, blah, blah, it just says Box blah, blah, blah, how can I ensure this does not happen in future when my settings should exclude PO Box numbers?

Sorry for the long winded questions!!

[jensmanchester-australia]

If a signature is required it doesn't matter whether the parcel goes to a PO Box or a street address - Australia Post still require the signature.

They leave a card in the PO box and the buyer has to take the card to the counter with ID to sign and collect their parcel.

[expanded_perceptions]

Thanks! I think perhaps I have gotten confused with the Parcel Locker system? That helps a lot!

[peri-landlubber]

It is actually a lot safer to deliver to a PO Box - the mail can't get lost by someone stealing it out of an open letterbox, or off the ground or off the doorstep.

Another thing, if people have a PO box, they may not have an actual mail delivery, especially if they live in a rural area.

I have a PO Box & I will not buy off anyone who says 'no PO Box'.

[cherry*135]

Any person from the household who has the PO Box can collect and sign for the parcel though. So, I don't know how you would meet the 'over 18 years' requirement. As a different family member can collect and sign for the parcel.

I always collect from the PO counter, parcels addressed to my adult daughter, some signature on delivery required ( PO Box address)

Do you have a liquour licence, required to be able to sell alcohol?.

[davidc4430]

i previously had only a PO Box and there was never a problem with signed for parcels.

[kiwiroo1212]

Hi i only have a PO Box as i live rural and dont have a letterbox.  I often sign for my deliveries. Never had a problem ever....