Item returned to me due to postal strike

[pallaksh]

Hi all. I'm based in the UK and recently sent an item to Peru. I didn't know there was an enormous postal strike there until I got the package returned to me. I emailed the buyer to ask if he would be OK with a refund and got a rather rude reply saying "I DO NOT DEAL" and denying that there were any problems with the Peruvian postal service. I provided evidence from the Royal Mail website and pictures of the "Service Suspended" stickers on the parcel.

Essentially, I want to cancel this transaction as I don't think the guy is trustworthy (I had to open a case to get him to pay, and his communications are unhelpful and rude.) Can I just use the resolution centre to open a transaction cancellation / refund, or does he have a right to argue that I should post the item again? 

Thanks!

[reallynicestamps]

Has more than 45 days passed?

Have more than 60 days passed?

If over 45 days, he can't open an Item Not Received Dispute. Nor can you open a Dispute since that deadline has passed.

Good.

Refund him and put him on your Blocked Bidder List.

Yes, you are out the shipping cost. Life will go on.

If over 60 days, he cannot leave feedback or the more important Detailed Seller Ratings. Yay!!

If either of you had already left feedback, either can leave a Response. Like the most effective feedback, the best Responses are calm and factual.  "Parcel returned due to Peruvian postal strike. Refunded." would cover it.

When you refund you should get your fees back, but unless it is a very substantial amount of money, your feedback and DSRs are more important.

I'm not sure what reason you can choose for the refund that helps you to avoid 'Defects'. I'm doing my best to ignore that whole schmozzle.

In hindsight, your first mistake was to chase an unwilling buyer for payment. Opening an Unpaid Item Dispute on Day Four and closing it without comment on Day Eight would have been cheaper and less stressful.  But 20-20 and all that.