Buyer Never Picked Up Item After Requesting Local Pickup

[kevincostos]

I've seen a few similar posts but none that are the exact same situation (regarding an in person pick up) so I thought I'd post.

I sold an item and buyer requested to pick up item in person, saying he is local and wanted to save some money on shipping. I had no problem with that so I agreed. He paid via paypal and I held the item for him. In the weeks that followed I messaged him several times trying to arrange a time for him to come, and he ghosted me (said he would come on a certain date and never showed up). It's now been months without any communication. I feel like I've made a reasonable effort to get him the item he purchased, but I don't want to hold onto this stuff forever (I may be moving soon, etc). I kind of want to just want to refund him and relist the item or sell it elsewhere, but it's been so long I don't believe I have the option to refund anymore... 

I'm worried he may file a complaint about never having received his item, but again I made a solid effort to arrange a pick up. Advice on what to do?

[mrdutch1001]

"I'm worried he may file a complaint about never having received his item"

If indeed it has been "months without any communication." and indeed "months" since the date of the transaction, then I believe way too much time has elapsed for any action on buyer's part...

(other than the buyer has 6 months to file for a refund via PayPal,) there is very little that the buyer can complain about at this point...

As a seller you did everything possible to get the item and the buyer together- not your fault that the buyer never followed through to complete his part.

[msau4301]

I agree with mrdutch, you did everything possible. If months have passed and you tried several times to reach him including a no-show for an agreed upon time just assume he is no longer has any interest. 

Curious though if months have passed what does it show for you under orders? Is it still showing there with an estimated delivery date? After 60 days you can't leave feedback or do anything (refund) BUT I don't know what happens with local pick ups in terms of what they (eBay) uses as the count-down date.

It is probably unlikely he would reach out to you after all this time but if he did you can just tell him (like you told us here) you tried to reach him several times, he didn't show for his pick up time and you assumed he must have changed his mind and were waiting for confirmation back from him. 

Could be you were farther than he thought (I had this happen before myself, someone wanted to do local pick up then said "I didn't realizeyou were that far, I'll pay for the shipping"), so I had to cancel and re-do the order with shipping but that was different because they told me as soon as they'd googled my address.

Don't refund him unless he reaches out to you and asks at this point, anyone that inconsiderate about other people's time shouldn't be compensated.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@kevincostos wrote:

I've seen a few similar posts but none that are the exact same situation (regarding an in person pick up) so I thought I'd post.

I sold an item and buyer requested to pick up item in person, saying he is local and wanted to save some money on shipping. I had no problem with that so I agreed. He paid via paypal and I held the item for him. In the weeks that followed I messaged him several times trying to arrange a time for him to come, and he ghosted me (said he would come on a certain date and never showed up). It's now been months without any communication. I feel like I've made a reasonable effort to get him the item he purchased, but I don't want to hold onto this stuff forever (I may be moving soon, etc). I kind of want to just want to refund him and relist the item or sell it elsewhere, but it's been so long I don't believe I have the option to refund anymore... 

I'm worried he may file a complaint about never having received his item, but again I made a solid effort to arrange a pick up. Advice on what to do?

---

@kevincostos 

Depending on age of sale you may still be access the customers ph. number. Because its considered a completed purchase you are able to contact them this way if they are ghosting you through ebay messaging. If you printed a packing slip the number might be there.

-Lotz

[reallynicestamps]

So you have his money and you have the item?

Do you also have his address?

Would it be worth the postage to mail it to him- or drop it at his house? Worthwhile for your emotional well-being as well as economically. He is apparently local.

After 30 days or so, he can't open an eBay dispute.

Paypal only allows 180 days from Payment.

Credit cards differ but 180 days from Payment is usual.

Look at a calendar and count the days.

(Because June was both a month ago and 18 days ago.)

[recped]

How about nothing?

I have one paid for local pickup that has been sitting here for a decade, I contacted the buyer a couple of times, they never responded.

One day I'll relist it and if they ever come back to life I'd be happy to refund them or they can come and pick it up if I still have it.

I would treat it the same as a return to sender, I have one of those that must have been sitting here for 20 years!

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

Due to the time frame, he would no longer be eligible for eBay protection. You may want to contact Paypal to verify whether he is still covered. I suspect he isn't covered any longer. 

If he is not covered, then it comes down to what you think the ethical thing to do is. It isn't my place to tell you whether you should refund him, give him more of your time via contacting him, or do nothing at all.

The important thing is that once you figure out if he is covered or not, it opens up the ability to refund him in a separate transaction without worrying about him clawing back a second refund, or not refund him if you believe you fulfilled your obligation as a seller.