I shipped to U.S. and France on the same day in early April (without tracking)
When we go commando, CONVID-19 or not, we are taking our chances that the buyer will not make an Item Not Delivered Dispute, since we will always lose.
This is where Cookie Jar Insurance comes in.
This means putting a small amount, usually less than a dime, into a virtual Cookie Jar as a self-insurance premium against Disputes, and paying refunds out of the Cookie Jar.
how can I be sure they will be honest and pay me if the items do arrive eventually?
You can't.
But most of them are as honest as you or I.
You can politely send them a Paypal invoice when enough time has passed for delivery cheerfully noting that the item is in their hands now (not that you know that) and asking them to repay the refund.
Some sellers discount the PP invoice -for the buyer's disappointment- and perhaps half of the buyers will repay.
You have to make them feel noble and honest for doing this.
Even more important you have to make it easy.
Do they track buyers who make serial requests for refunds for items undelivered?
Yes.
We occasionally on the dotCOM Boards see howls from buyers who have tried to open a Dispute only to learn they are no longer eligible for the Money Back Guarantee.
A survey of their feedback usually tells the boardies, an experienced bunch who believe in Tough Love, exactly why.
Buyer gets schooled.
I should at least be able to edit my feedback to state the item was reported undelivered
You cannot change Feedback
You can leave a Response to any Feedback, indefinitely. "Item reported Not Delivered -Refunded 7/6/20" for example.
But Don't.
The only readers will be your future customers and you just admitted there was a problem. This makes good buyers nervous.
I have someone from Germany who says they didn't receive their package.
In normal times, German customs can be a problem. They are very thorough and rather slow.
Some Germans will take advantage of this, open a Dispute, win it, then go and pick up their package paying only the duty and VAT.
This is rare, but it happens.
More likely, you buyer is truthful and -- the pandemic has slowed processing in every country while shipping is at three to six times Christmas levels.
Generally- looking at your annual sales, are you having more or less than one percent of your sales Disputed.
One percent is the retail norm, although online sales seem to be slightly lower than that.
If your Disputes are higher - three to five percent of sales being disputed - it's time to look at your own business practices to see how you can improve your results.
No one else can do it for you.
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