Brand new buyer lives in condo, didn't give me unit number, isn't responding to messages
Summary: fergua3 expressed a concern about a new buyer who purchased an expensive item but failed to provide a complete address, lacking a condo unit number, and was not responsive to messages. fh991586 mentioned that items undeliverable due to the buyer's address error are typically not refundable, but fergua3 was uneasy about shipping to an incomplete address. After trying to contact the buyer with incomplete phone information, fergua3 noted the difficulties with eBay's address and phone verifications. Several participants suggested canceling the order due to address issues, but fergua3 preferred to wait, hoping the buyer would eventually respond. Finally, the buyer did call back, and fergua3 was able to get the missing unit number, preparing to ship the item with a four-day delay.
Brand new zero feedback buyer bought an expensive-ish item from me. Not worried about that. He lives in a condo but didn't give me a unit number and is not responding to my messages (the condo does not have a mail room or concierge, i called and checked). Suggestions?
marnotom!
·1 year agofergua3
OP1 year agoAnyway, it's all moot. One of the phone numbers i tried was the right one and he called me back late this evening. He apologized for not providing his full address and told me his unit number. I will ship out his purchase tomorrow morning. A total of 4 days delay.
john_koenig99
·1 year agoThe incomplete address, I understand. But a number with no area code? I think eBay does not even allow that, when you create a profile in their site.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·1 year agoeBay does have address verification. Probably not super effective when it comes to suite numbers or phone numbers. (Like when a buyer or seller use 999-999-9999 or uses a number they previously had.)
Address Validation automatically scans addresses for potential errors and typos, checking them against the postal service records.
That is why still the best option is to either google or confirm using a postal sites checker and then messaging buyer when there looks like there is an error. With the checker it will denote situations where there are muliple variations of an address in play.
Last last resort would be to cancel using problem with address. Now if only a buyer could update in records without cancelling and having to repay? Anyone got a verified number for the wishful thinking dept. at eBay?
Important for anyone using eBay's checker to confirm it does not default to the wrong state. This does happen with duplicated streets etc.
flipistics
·1 year agoAs @marnotom! said, just cancel the order as "problem with address". That's literally what the option is for. Relist it and message the buyer with the link if they wish to correct their address and buy it again.
I check all addresses when I send lettermail, but I often don't for packages, especially if using eBay labels. It's a good reminder that sometimes it's wise to do so.
marnotom!
·1 year agofh991586
·1 year agoAFAIK, undeliverable items due to error in shipping address from the buyer's part are not refundable. You might get your package back, and the buyer won't have any leverage for refund.
fergua3
OP1 year agoyeah that's my understanding too but i'm not keen on shipping it if i know it probably won't get delivered.
i tried phoning the buyer. The number he gave Ebay was only 7 digits (i assume no area code). So i tried 905 and 416 which are the most common area codes in the GTA (the buyer lives in the GTA like i do). One just rang and rang, the other i was able to leave a message, but have no idea who i was leaving it with. No return call.
I guess eventually this guy will pop up.......he's out $280 if he doesn't.
reallynicestamps
·1 year agoWith cell phones, the area code is not necessarily anywhere near where the owner lives. I have a friend whose calls I recognize by his AB area code, although he has been in BC for nearly a decade.
And even local numbers may not have the 250 code I would expect - 688 is not unusual for cell phones here.
fergua3
OP1 year agowell Ebay obviously does allow phone numbers without area codes. The phone number listed for the buyer is just 7 digits long. I am assuming the missing digits are the area code but they could be any 3 digits out of the 10, i suppose. Doesn't change the fact that the phone number is incomplete.
I am aware of the cancel because of problem with address option. Not really keen on using it. First off, i've had this item for sale for several months and was glad to see it sell. Since i'm going to be quitting selling at the end of this month relisting it now means it probably wont' sell. Secondly, it took me over 3 hours to package this fragile item....not thrilled about having all that hard work go to waste because of some dope who can't write down a proper address or phone number and who doesn't check messages or respond if he does. He is out $280....he'll turn up eventually and then i'll deal with the situation as appropritate. I hate being stonewalled..
lotzofuniquegoodies
·1 year agoRe: When return to sender happens there is a note at the bottom of each CP label for Canadian parcels (Unsure how it displays for USA or intl.) as follows...In case of non-delivery, return to sender at counter rates. Unsure if this is something new? Spotted on an incoming expedited label where shipper used their own account.
When seller generates a return label, at least in Canada, the rate used would be sellers rate.
reallynicestamps
·1 year agohttps://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?id=4210#specialcoverage-inr
@fergua3 could send one more Message including this information -- that if the shipment is Undeliverable it comes back to you and they don't get any refund at all -- rien --nada- zip- nothing.
But more politely than that.
fergua3
OP1 year agowell, paypal or credit card issuer would side with the buyer and he could make a good argument saying i knew the address was incomplete but shipped it anyway, so he should still be refunded as i was being malicious.
Anyway, i don't want the hassle. I'm going to just wait, I assume at some point he'll contact me or want a refund. Until then, i'm keeping the loot.
This guy seems pretty careless. Incomplete address and incomplete phone number. Not very detail oriented.