eBay

bignachohat · ‎12-10-2016

Mailed out a package from Alberta to Montreal, a day after shipping the buyer contacted me that they had forgot to include their apartment number. I explained and apologized the package had unfortunately already been shipped but perhaps it would be available for pickup at their local post office (first time I had this happen so I wasnt sure). Buyer waits a few days then writes back package is being returned to me and can I please ship to a new address as they will now be at their parents for Christmas. Its just a cheap toy so I doubt they are trying to scam me but you never know.

Also I used Paypal to buy the shipping label so how would I go about reshipping to a new address - would I need to refund the buyer the cost of the item, relist the item and buyer repurchases with new address?

momcqueen · ‎12-10-2016

Paypal will allow you to print another label from the original transaction but this is a little different since the address has changed completely.

What you do next will depend on how much you want to keep this sale.

What you should do: If the buyer gave you the wrong address, you refund them the cost of the item only when you get it back. They don't get their postage back, it's gone. Technically, since the mistake is theirs, I don't think you are even required to refund them anything but most sellers will do so out of courtesy. Relist. Then the buyer should repurchase it with the address they want to use as an official alternate address with paypal so that you can ship to that and everything stays on the level with paypal and seller protection.

What most of us would do: Or you could just slap another label on it as soon as you get it back with funds the buyer sends you for postage in advance. That is the easiest way. But......... If the buyer realizes they have to pay shipping twice, they might just not want it anymore. But the second postage is totally on them, not you. It was their error.

Let us know what you decide to do and how it plays out.

2nd-time-around-jewelry · ‎12-10-2016

This happened to me where the buyer made a mistake in the address & the parcel was returned to me. As it was their fault I didn't refund the original shipping. They still wanted the item & were willing to pay the extra shipping. I put on the correct label on the package & sent it out again.

momcqueen · ‎12-10-2016

I had it happen to me too. The buyer was international so I refunded her money completely (item and postage) and asked her to re-purchase after another was relisted. She declined.

I don't think she wanted to pay for it again, like she expected me send it for free, and I wasn't prepared to do that since it would have eliminated all profit on the sale to resend it at no additional charge to the buyer.

It was a little more complicated than it usually is when this happens because the parcel actually got lost on its way back to me. Vanished while back in possession of Canada Post on the return trip so I had to open a claim with CPC for Lost Item. Time passed. I listed an identical item for the buyer, and she had lost interest by then.

ricarmic · ‎12-10-2016

When it happens to me, I resend the 2nd time on my own dime, it comes out of the "cookie jar insurance" fund and it creates a happy customer.

More than half my sales are from repeat customers, and some of my good repeat customers are ones that I've taken a hit for, which they much appreciated....and it keeps them coming back!

pjcdn2005 · ‎12-10-2016

I might resend a lettermail size package at my expense but I would have a problem doing that with a more expensive service....the margins just aren't high enough.

ricarmic · ‎12-10-2016

Well I have an advantage because I am in a somewhat unique situation.

You see I put nice, current resaleable stamps on the boxes etc. As long as the posties treat them kindly en-route, I can resell the used stamps for almost as much as they cost to buy new, which makes my loss negligible.....

So I guess I'm not as altruistic as it might seem...