Package still at the post office

[winner188]

I sold an item on ebay, shipped it promptly after receiving payment. Tracking info says attempted delivery made but business was closed. Item is sitting at the post office and after thirty days will be returned to sender. I've sent several messages through ebay explaining to buyet where the package is but n8 reply. The package has been at the post office for 15 days now.
Will I have to pay for return shipping?
Will I have to refund buyers money?
What do I do?
Thanks
Bill

[mr.elmwood]

Right now, you do nothing. Buyer could be away for a couple weeks, who knows.

Mail that comes back to me, usually comes free. Cross the refund bridge if you get to it.

[lady.stark]

Unfortunately, if it is returned, I think you will have to pay return shipping yes. On every label printed through PayPal, it says something like "Return at sender's expense". These are not the exact words, but it's close.

[pocomocomputing]

I had a Light Packet USA returned to me and was charged the original postage at the door by the postman. This was 3 years ago.

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

I had a light packet ($5.00 rate, whenever that was) returned to me a couple years ago as well but I didn't get charged return shipping. I'm not sure if it was left at our door or the community mailbox since my dad took it in. I charged the buyer shipping again to resend it.

[femmefan1946]

Will I have to refund buyers money?

Do NOT refund until you have the item back in your possession.

Collecting return postage seems to be up to the carrier. If you have to pick up the parcel at the PO , expect to be charged return postage.

Some sellers advertise a restocking fee.

Some sellers will refund the purchase price but not the shipping.

Most sellers will charge the buyer to resend the parcel.

Many sellers will put the buyer on their Blocked Bidder List.

For now, you have your payment and the buyer can pickup the parcel at leisure.

They weren't cows inside. They were waiting to be, but they forgot. Now they see sky, and they remember what they are.-- River Tam

[maggiebvintage2010]

Some buyers do not look at their eBay account frequently.   Try sending a message to buyer's email address, which you can find on the PayPal transaction information.  You could also telephone the buyer if the dollar value of the sale warrants it.  The phone number is on the eBay Sales Record.

[ricarmic]

The last time I had a package sitting at the PO for 3 weeks, it turned out the buyer was away on a cruise, told their PO to hang onto their stuff while they were away and they got it when they got back.

Short version of the story is I was all worried for nothing.... which I seem to do too much anymore.....