eBay

stardust_tcg · ‎08-31-2020

I sold an item that the buyer requested signature confirmation for, but USPS attempted delivery and he must have not been home since the last shipping update reads "reminder to schedule redelivery of your item." However, the buyer keeps asking when the package will arrive despite telling him 4 times now to call his post office and ask if they have a package waiting for him. Every time he just replies that he "doesn't understand the problem" and I don't know what to say anymore. I have tried breaking things down into the most simple terms yet every time I get the same response, only now he's threatening to refund which would **bleep** me over. Could some more experienced sellers share some tips on dealing with buyers like this?Last status update from Aug 15

pjcdn2005 · ‎08-31-2020

USPS also allows them to phone to arrange delivery so that they know they will be home so you could suggest that as well. I would probably just explain again that USPS is saying that no one was home when the package was delivered and since a signature wasn't available that they have to phone to arrange for pickup or go pick it up at the post office. I had read that the USPS were signing for packages so that they didn't have contact with customers during Covid so perhaps your buyer expected that to happen.

Either way, if they file a claim with ebay they will lose as there was an attempted delivery and it is up to them to arrange to get the package now. However, Paypal requires actual delivery, not attempted delivery so the result if they filed a PP claim would be different.

arhirii2007 · ‎08-31-2020

Tell him that "de problem" is that he needs to either be home to sign for de package or go to de post office to collect de package. Either way, de packet will arrive him without de problem.

femmefan1946 · ‎08-31-2020

BTW, if the package is Undeliverable, because he doesn't pick it up, it will, eventually be returned to you.

But here's the cute part, and the part that your buyer may not understand*,

IF THE PURCHASE IS UNDELIVERABLE, THE SELLER IS NOT REQUIRED TO REFUND THE BUYER when the seller gets the package back.

Letting him know that he can get his donkey in gear and pick it up or you get to keep his money and get the purchase back.

His choice.

*along with details like how the post office works and how to make a telephone call.

femmefan1946 · ‎08-31-2020

Can you guess from his name what his first language might be?
If so you could try explaining how to get his shipment from the Post Office using Google Translate.
If you use this, include the English version with the translation.

stardust_tcg · ‎08-31-2020

It's the internet so I shouldn't be assuming things but it seems like he should know those things. He has a good buyer feedback and all that if it means anything too. I'll call USPS again and see what the general timeframe is for sending stuff back. And to reply to your second post, the buyer could be Hispanic but I can't be too sure, and who knows what kind of problems could come from a mistranslation. I appreciate your advice, thank you for letting me know he can't refund if it gets sent back.

stardust_tcg · ‎08-31-2020

Fifth time's the charm I guess? That's basically what I've been telling him but I'll take the suggestion from the comment above and see if anything changes.

kawartha-ephemera · ‎08-31-2020

However, the buyer keeps asking when the package will arrive despite telling him 4 times now to call his post office and ask if they have a package waiting for him. Every time he just replies that he "doesn't understand the problem"

Perhaps she/he literally does not understand, hard to imagine but maybe doesn't even know where to go or call. Maybe try providing the local USPS address, phone number and business hours. Sounds like very short sentences in point form might be your best hope. This is what I'd try anyway .... good luck with this.

stardust_tcg · ‎08-31-2020

Hopefully if it comes down to a claim they'll take my side, of course it would be better if this was resolved some other way. Thanks for your help.

stardust_tcg · ‎08-31-2020

That's true, I'll try that next. Thanks.

retroman_studios · ‎08-31-2020

There are an increasing amount of individuals who don't have a true understanding of how the world works, as in they are in a constant "fog" and despite your best efforts they can't understand things.

Sometimes it's a language barrier, other times it's a certain generation that didn't learn certain skills. For example, did you know that many millennials don't know how to mail a letter? One mother reportedly told the local postmaster/clerk that her son would be coming to the post office and to be patient as this was his first time sending a letter, and he was like 30.

It's not your job to instruct him. Your job as a seller is to sell him stuff. You can as suggested, send him the local phone number of the post office, hopefully they have a helpful clerk. But I suspect if your buyer is as vague with them as with you, you may be fighting a losing battle.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎09-01-2020

@retroman_studios wrote:

For example, did you know that many millennials don't know how to mail a letter? One mother reportedly told the local postmaster/clerk that her son would be coming to the post office and to be patient as this was his first time sending a letter, and he was like 30.

Eh, I can totally picture it. For the record, I started selling online around 20 and it involved a LOT of Googling and asking around (and this eBay seller board is so resourceful). I started selling because I used to follow people's blogs and I buy off those people as well as from sellers / online shops in Japan, then I started wondering about selling things that I didn't want to keep myself.

Luckily when I first started, I live 5 minutes walk from a postal outlet (it was a Hallmark if I remember correctly), so often I'd just take my packages there to weigh and get a quote. That postmaster is super nice and patient. Then I eventually learned the breakdown in different weights, the 2cm rule, then I bought a kitchen scale that's still working now and only needed a new battery once. Did used to use discount postage often back then but not anymore.

nostalgicaftertaste · ‎09-01-2020

@retroman_studios wrote:
There are an increasing amount of individuals who don't have a true understanding of how the world works, as in they are in a constant "fog" and despite your best efforts they can't understand things.

I came face-to-face with this recently when a buyer omitted the residence number from their street address. I tried to reach out to them multiple times and ultimately had to cancel their order, not having this necessary information. When they finally responded (via email), they said it was an intentional precaution in case their account gets hacked. But...how do you expect the courier to know where you live so the package can be delivered?

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎09-01-2020

@nostalgicaftertaste wrote:
I came face-to-face with this recently when a buyer omitted the residence number from their street address. I tried to reach out to them multiple times and ultimately had to cancel their order, not having this necessary information. When they finally responded (via email), they said it was an intentional precaution in case their account gets hacked. But...how do you expect the courier to know where you live so the package can be delivered?

lmao... did you ask them how many packages have they successfully received?