
07-15-2023 11:44 AM
A buyer has opened a case against me seeking a refund for item not received. I shipped the item directly through eBay with a tracked Canada Post service. The tracking shows the item as delievered.
I'm wondering how I should approach this situation. To my knowledge I have done everything correct and there isn't anything else I can do. I can't simply hand out a refund for an item that has proof of delivery. I have been polite and understanding with the buyer in an attempt to avoid wrongful negative feedback but I'm wondering what I can do here to actually get a resolution. I was thinking of just calling eBay directly but I wanted to ask here first in case some sellers have had experiences with similar issues.
Thanks!
07-15-2023 12:40 PM - edited 07-15-2023 12:42 PM
From a mechanics perspective:
Make sure to put the tracking number manually into the case ASAP, it does not matter whether the tracking was already attached to the item, you will need to put it directly in the case as well.
The buyer will not win the case if you've attached the tracking number that shows delivered. (If tyou call it in they'll likely close it then and there in your favour).
From a customer service perspective:
It is entirely possible that the buyer did not receive the item, this has happened to me in the past where tracking shows delivered but buyer claims non-delivery.
In my case the buyer had already contacted Canada Post first. I contacted Canada Post and they provided the refund for non-delivery then and there I believe because they were already aware from the buyer's earlier contact.
With the very short timeframe around a case, you won't have received the $$ back from CP before the case closes. You might suggest to the buyer to contact CP in advance, it made things a LOT faster in my case.
I have not personally had to provide a refund after a case was closed in my favour but that's what you would want to do after the CP refund was received. If you can convince the buyer to close the case you can refund after CP pays (I'm assuming the full amount was insured). You'll have to be careful what option you choose for the refund, I think there is one for reason "item not received". Others may have more experience/suggestions about how to handle this aspect, or if you call in about it they may also have a suggestion as to how to refund without getting a defect out of it.
Make very sure to put the tracking number in the case ASAP.
07-15-2023 12:57 PM
Put the tracking number into the claim.
Yes eBay already has it.
Do it anyway. The shipping robot and the Claims robot are not on speaking terms.
That's all you need to win the Claim.
The buyer will not be able to leave feedback.
07-17-2023 11:46 AM
EBay gonna screw you anyway, its robotic desigion. Customer support there exist only to calm you down and keep you from leaving eBay.
07-17-2023 11:54 AM
If the robotron decides to rule against you, it is not over. Contact them to indicate that you have complied with the shipping requirements and an error was made in the decision.
07-17-2023 12:16 PM
You already have all the advise from others here about being safe as far as a claim with proof of delivery.
The only thing I might add (if it's still bugging you like it would me) is you could call Canada Post customer service and see if they can give more details than the tracking shows (they usually do).
I've had two experiences in the past where tracking showed delivery but it wasn't (quite). With one the delivery said delivery to an address that was not the same street or number (!) I said that isn't even where it was sent and was told occassionally there is an error when items are scanned and that had happened (or so I was told).
Another time an item was delivered to a community mail box and put in the wrong slot (I was told some story about the regular mail carrier had been away). In both my cases I was lucky and the items got to the right hands eventually. Still put the tracking number in for your case of course and follow other's advise here, but you can try to get more info from Canada Post directly just in case something weird happened (July is the biggest summer holiday time).
07-17-2023 12:39 PM
"Another time an item was delivered to a community mail box and put in the wrong slot (I was told some story about the regular mail carrier had been away). In both my cases I was lucky and the items got to the right hands eventually. "
So true, I have delivered a few items to correct addresses that were put in my box. Even more Amazon deliveries that were left on my door instead of a neighbours. That is tough for the buyer and seller, as neither has done anything wrong.
07-17-2023 12:49 PM
Yes! I have carried over mail and deliveries to my neighbours many times. I still like to think there are more honest (and nice) people out there than bad!
07-17-2023 03:01 PM
My favourite is the BBQ.
That's where the postal worker left the package, inside their BBQ!!!!
Buyer didn't find it until the next time they went to BBQ.
07-17-2023 04:04 PM
Do you know where I can find the phone number? Anything I click in terms of help & contact doesn't lead me to an actual phone number.
07-17-2023 05:41 PM
@myk221 wrote:EBay gonna screw you anyway, its robotic desigion. Customer support there exist only to calm you down and keep you from leaving eBay.
WRONG!
The only way for a seller to lose an INR claim where tracking shows delivery is pure incompetance on the part of the SELLER (failure to respond to the claim).