Can I refuse a returned parcel?

[Anonymous]

Hi - I am hoping someone can help me with this answer as short of calling Canada Post to inquire, I cannot find the answer anywhere.

What happens if I refuse to pick up a returned parcel due to buyer address error?

I had a buyer from Vancouver and shipped expedited - he forgot his house number on PPal file and so it is being returned to me - he offered to pay any extra postage to have it sent back to him, but is balking at the cost of paying the return shipping PLUS the cost of a new label to ship out again.

FTR, I had a flat rate of 9.99 for shipping Expedited within Canada, and to Vancouver it cost me 12.43 (shipping to the coasts from Ontario is pricey) so I lost $$  and this is a small value item (5.99) -- so it is going to be a suuuuuuper expensive mug!  He may want to not have the item re-shipped.

CAN I refuse the return to save him $$ and me the trouble?

thanks 

[pjcdn2005]

You mentioned CP so are you asking what they would do with the parcel?  I have no idea.

Canada Post does not always charge for returned parcels so that may work in your favour in this case. By saving the buyer money do you mean that if you don't pick up the parcel then he won't have to pay return shipping? Then neither of you would have the mug so someone is going out to be money.

If tracking shows that a buyer refuses a package they are probably not covered until seller protection but I don't know how ebay would handle this situation since the buyer didn't refuse it. I do think that if you don't go to pick up the package, ebay will require that you refund.  Either way, if you get the mug back, the buyer should be refunded at least in part. I'm not sure how I would handle this situation. If it was lettermail and I got the item back, I would refund in full. Since the shipping is a lot more, I might meet the buyer halfway...it's hard to say unless one is in that situation. A lot of times I just look at things like that as the cost of doing business.

[tobyshitzu · Accepted solution]

I believe you can just never pick it up. Just had this happen, sounds like they always charge for parcels now. If there is money due they will card for pickup

If you are having an issue with the buyer, phone ebay and tell them buyer messaged address was wrong. EBay wil say you arent responsible, don't have to refund and protect your fb

[tobyshitzu]

I did resend my buyers item, after he paid return and reship costs. Ebay would have been fine with me keeping item and money

[mr.elmwood · Accepted solution]

My returned mail has always been 50-50. Sometimes I pay, sometimes I do not. If I have to pay, I usually told the clerk I did not want it. Why would I pay to get back something I can get for free?

No rule says you have to go get it.

[Anonymous]

Hi guys, thanks SO much for your replies, they put me as ease until hubby could ask at the Post Office about it when he dropped off some parcels.  Apparently this does happen often (sender does not want to pay for returned parcel, and item is not worth the $$ to get it back), and so they go off to this holding center for unclaimed parcels.  I have no idea what CP does with them,  prob something similar to a police auction or something.

Anyhow, I will wait until it arrives back to me to see if I am charged for return shipping or not (I have a feeling I will be).  It would be around $12.50 one way from Vancouver and it is only a 5.99 mug - an item I was just about to pull as it had been sitting for over a year when all of a sudden this buyer bought it - I think I made around 2.00 profit total.

The buyer is a 0 feedback and so I just want to really make sure he is willing to pay the $12..50 return cost plus additional $12.50 to ship out again.  The worst would be for me to pick it up at my cost and then never hear from him again, it would be irritatiing!

If he claims item not received (which being a newb I don't think he would know to) - eBay will see on tracking that it was returned due to imcomplete address which I have him admitting on my messages and that he refused to pay for the re-send.  Of course that is the worst case scenario that may or may not happen, I just have that feeling - you know that instinct we all get now as seasoned sellers 

Anyhow, thanks again!

[reallynicestamps]

It goes to...... The Dead Letter Office... {cue spooky music}

[Anonymous]

LOL!!! Love it!!

[pierrelebel]

I sold a similar stamp on eBay a few years ago for $900.00