PACKAGE NOT COLLECTED BY THE BUYER AT THE POSTE PICKUP POINT
Summary: The discussion involves multiple participants addressing an issue about a package not picked up by the buyer at a post office collection point. The thread reflects a prolonged exchange among users, likely discussing the causes, implications, and possible solutions related to the unclaimed package. The conversation includes several follow-ups and engagement from different individuals trying to resolve the matter over time.
Hi everyone. I sold an item to a buyer who selected shipping to a Poste Italiane pickup point during checkout. For the item in question, cancellation and returns were expressly prohibited (obviously for reasons not covered by eBay's guarantee). The buyer did not pick up the package within the storage period set by Poste Italiane and never replied to my messages. Today he wrote to me saying he forgot to collect the package and that he would like a refund. I can't refund him because:
-the price of this item has been cut in half compared to when he bought it,
-I made it clear in every way that it was not possible to cancel the order or return the item after purchase
-THE PACKAGE IS CONSIDERED LOST AFTER RETURN TO SENDER WAS INITIATED (that is, me) and the insured value of the package is 35€ compared to the real value of 450€...
If this scammer were to open a claim with eBay, would I be completely screwed, right?
daxsisko
·1 year agothe key point is .... THE PARCEL IS REPORTED LOST AFTER THE RETURN TO SENDER HAS BEEN STARTED (that is, to me) : if the parcel actually doesn't come back to you and the buyer opens a dispute, it's not said that eBay will side with you for the parcel not being collected..... and this, without going into specifics, for a series of factors (including the human one) ...... so for now you have to wait and see what happens (that is, hope that in the meantime the parcel eventually comes back and that the buyer doesn't open a dispute (but if it's €450 it's very likely he will....) or that he does open one and meanwhile the item comes back before the buyer can possibly close it in his favor (see also eBay timelines for disputes) ;
for the procedure I agree with what Heavenvelkin wrote
Anonymous User
OP1 year agoBut from the beginning, according to seller protection, once the buyer lets the storage period expire they should lose the right to the package considering that returns are not accepted. Have I misunderstood something by any chance?
daxsisko
·1 year agothe main problem is that the package hasn't made its way back to you yet and, from what you say, it's not really clear where it is since it's marked as missing (for example maybe it's still in storage but that doesn't show up in tracking, in which case the buyer could show up to pick it up while it's still in storage.....) ; anyway, if the buyer opens a dispute Ebay will assess the case and whoever does so is like a judge..... some interpret it one way and some another....
pimen-6953
·1 year agoThis is the point. And often, things are interpreted as whatever is going through the operator's head at that moment
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoThe issue isn't that simple because there are so many factors in play........
The important thing NOW is that YOU GET BACK INTO POSSESSION OF THE ITEM.
That way, at worst, you only lose the shipping costs......
Because with distance sales you never know what could happen....
it could happen that the buyer decides to bypass the eBay system by requesting a chargeback for a payment made with a Visa/Mastercard card.
Good luck, and keep us updated.
Anonymous User
OP1 year agoFor sure, if he agrees to take the package back, the shipping costs will be on him. That’s a sure thing.
Let’s all join forces to get the package to me🥹.
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoWith eBay there isn’t a procedure that lets you send the item again.
You can ask the buyer to be patient until the package comes back, then issue a refund to the buyer.
Then you put the item back up for sale and if the buyer wants, they can go ahead with a new purchase.
Opening a dispute for an item not received is not the same as an agreement between seller and buyer to issue a refund.
eBay procedures could in some cases go in favor of the seller or the buyer.
Meanwhile, an agreement between seller and buyer can work in favor of both parties.
Anonymous User
OP1 year agoHi, guys. I’m giving you a big update. The tracking code was updated last Saturday. In the end, for some reason, the package went back to the pickup point for the buyer instead of coming back to me. I let the buyer know, and he just went to pick it up. He just wrote to me saying that inside the package there was only the packaging and the contents were missing (sending me photos of the opened package with only the packaging inside... What should I do? It’s blatantly a scam. I have the video where I pack up the package and even make the closing marks...
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoThis is an unusual situation based on how you described it, since “usually” a package that remains in storage at a pickup point for more than 14 days is then returned to the courier, who will then forward it to the sender.
Provide a screenshot of the full tracking so we can understand whether there are actually any anomalies with the pickup point, which may have failed to return the package after the expected storage period.
As for eBay, if the buyer claims to have received an empty package, according to the procedure a refund to the buyer is предусмотрed.
The refund is at your expense.
So if the situation is confirmed, you will lose both the item and the money.
But the buyer still has to open a dispute on eBay.
daxsisko
·1 year agoI’m not going to get into the merits of the “reappeared” empty package..... ( saying “odd” is an understatement.... ),
unfortunately though the situation has now changed radically since the package was delivered and to the buyer it appears empty : so, as Heavenwelkin indicated, if the buyer opens a dispute there’s little to be done.......
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoYou need to wait until he opens a dispute for item not received.
Don't refund anything before the dispute.
During the dispute, contact eBay support and point out that the buyer did not collect the item.
In theory the dispute should be more in your favor than against you.
If so, keep us updated on the outcome.
Just make sure you contact eBay support right after the buyer opens the dispute for item not received.
Anonymous User
OP1 year agoThanks for the reply. In my head, it never even crossed my mind to issue a refund like that. I’m really speechless about this...to almost be certain I’ve lost €450 for no reason.
Am I the weird one for thinking I’m 100% right, or do you think the buyer is right?
heavenwelkin
·1 year agoIf the buyer doesn’t pick up the package, it will be returned to you within 15 days.
Disputes are automated, so in these cases it’s safest to contact an eBay operator.
As for the outcome of the dispute, I can’t guarantee that you’ll be 100% right.
Don’t even bother arguing or fighting with the buyer by phone, WhatsApp, or eBay, it wouldn’t help at all.
Let us know how the situation develops.