Item delivered after case opened question

mtcards · January 16, 2014 2:27AM

Recently, against my better judgement, I sold a handful of items on ebay to cover money I spent on a handful of 1968 Topps Milton Bradley cards, including the Ryan rookie.

Unfortunately, one of the items, which I shipped using ebay shipping labels has been "stuck in transit" since January 3rd the day of mailing. The buyer opened an item not received case on Tuesday January 14th asking for a full refund. I asked if he would wait until Saturday and if the item had not been delivered by then, I would go ahead and do the full refund, to which he replied "I will wait until Saturday, but no longer".

Now, I dont have a problem with the refund and generally, unless its a higher dollar item, will not pay insurance to the PO to guarantee they do the job that I paid them to do. So, the money is going to come out of my pocket for a $50 item. My question is this...IF they find the package and deliver it AFTER I have made the refund, is there any recourse to recoup the money or am I pretty much SOL unless the buyer is an honest buyer and chooses to return the money for the item they received?

Unknown · January 16, 2014 2:30AM

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JoeBanzai · January 16, 2014 2:48AM

I had the exact same thing happen to me and the buyer notified me when he finally got the item and paid me.

This kind of thing MUST happen from time to time, I would assume as long as you can show the item was in fact delivered, you should be able to collect.

You might want to rethink your attitude on postal insurance though. I use it only on higher dollar items. I simply cannot afford to eat the cost if something happens. I also think you might get $50.00 insurance for free if you use priority mail.

mtcards · January 16, 2014 2:52AM

Yes, I will use insurance if the item is over a certain amount, usually $100. I have sold maybe 2000 items over the course of my "ebay career" and this is only the second time anything has happened where I would have needed it. I figure 2000 x $1.20 or whatever they charge now less the $50 I had to eat on the first one and possible $50 I have to eat on this one, still leaves me about $2300 I have saved on fees. And yes, you are correct on $50 insurance included on priority mail.

KbKards · January 16, 2014 3:11AM

Most times the buyer will be honest and let you know they got it. Sometimes they may no longer need it and want to return it(no problem), or still need it and want to pay(even better). Normal delivery times really get messed up with weather and holidays so there's still a good chance it'll show up and get tracking updated. I would check tracking every few days for a few weeks to see if there's any update and contact the buyer so he knows you're on the job.

ReggieCleveland · January 16, 2014 4:29AM

I think if it were me, I'd go ahead and let them open the case. Once the case is opened, they give you some time to respond and this will buy the PO time to get it delivered (I don't think enough time has passed where we can write the package off as lost). If that time elapses and it still isn't there, then go ahead with the refund. But leaving the ball in the buyer's court and hoping that they're honest probably isn't a tactic I would employ.

mtcards · January 16, 2014 4:50AM

<< I think if it were me, I'd go ahead and let them open the case. Once the case is opened, they give you some time to respond and this will buy the PO time to get it delivered (I don't think enough time has passed where we can write the package off as lost). If that time elapses and it still isn't there, then go ahead with the refund. But leaving the ball in the buyer's court and hoping that they're honest probably isn't a tactic I would employ. >>

They already have opened the case....it gives me until the 18th to respond. Honestly, I think opening the case 10 days after the purchase was pulling the trigger a little fast, especially given that the item is shown to have been shipped and is "in transit", however, this is today's ebay where a person who "buys it now", "WANTS" it now.

grote15 · January 16, 2014 5:30AM

10 days is a bit premature, as mail has been crazier than usual last few weeks. But hopefully, it will show up.

Ilovecards · January 16, 2014 5:57AM

did you call usps and open a trace ?

mtcards · January 16, 2014 6:22AM

<< did you call usps and open a trace ? >>

Honestly, I was just hit with all this yesterday when I saw where the buyer had opened the case overnight on Tuesday. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, I doubt the USPS would consider doing anything with it only being under 10 business days out from when it was mailed. I might ask tomorrow and see before doing the refund though.

Cakes · January 16, 2014 6:39AM

<< 10 days is a bit premature, as mail has been crazier than usual last few weeks. But hopefully, it will show up. >>

And it was Winter time and the Holiday season.

bbuckner22 · January 16, 2014 8:24AM

<< 10 days is a bit premature, as mail has been crazier than usual last few weeks >>

If I opened a case for every card I was waiting for over 10 days in the last 4 weeks I would have opened 8 cases. WTF is going on with the mail lately? And what is up with these buyers that have ZERO patience?

flash300 · January 16, 2014 1:30PM

Lots of bad weather and canceled flights. mail real slow until this all breaks

mdkuom · January 16, 2014 4:48PM

I was the buyer in a situation like this several months ago. The tracking showed the package was mailed, but then it was stuck at a sorting facility. After about three weeks I won an item not received case. A week after that the package arrived, but it came from the lost mail facility. Something had apparently happened to the original mailing label, so they had to cut it open to find my address. Luckily there was an invoice in the box (another important lesson). I did contact the seller and send it back to him (I had already bought another copy), but because the original label was gone the seller would have had no way to prove I received the item.

mtcards · January 17, 2014 3:13AM

Just an update for those who might run into the same issue. I went to the post office and they informed me that some of the first class mail is taking up to three weeks as they have had a backlog in some areas. Since today is only the 10th business day after mailing, I can see where this is going to go past the timeframe where the buyer in this case will win a refund judgement via ebay. After thinking about it, he opened the case on the 14th, which was only 7 business days after mailing. Unfortunately, ebay isnt going to take that into consideration that someone is wetting their pants after only 7 days.

JMDVM · January 17, 2014 1:11PM

I had to file a claim yesterday on a package I shipped Dec.16 to Wisconsin. It was last scanned in Chicago Dec.18. Postmaster said consider it lost. Gave buyer full refund.

zep33 · January 17, 2014 5:37PM

<< Just an update for those who might run into the same issue. I went to the post office and they informed me that some of the first class mail is taking up to three weeks as they have had a backlog in some areas. Since today is only the 10th business day after mailing, I can see where this is going to go past the timeframe where the buyer in this case will win a refund judgement via ebay. After thinking about it, he opened the case on the 14th, which was only 7 business days after mailing. Unfortunately, ebay isnt going to take that into consideration that someone is wetting their pants after only 7 days. >>

Not that I would expect much help from Ebay, but a few years ago, I remember them putting out notices about delayed mail telling buyers to be more patient and allowing extra time. It might have been after hurricane Sandy? If the news you got is somewhat "official" and not just coming from a local post office, maybe Ebay would do something like that again. The weather that's hit most of the US over the last few weeks might be able to persuade Ebay to put some kind of notice up.

Ilovecards · January 17, 2014 7:09PM

you really should open a case with usps on the phone not local post office.

also if the item is delivered after the case is closed you can make an appeal and get your money back . but you have to call them don't just file an appeal online you need to actually talk to someone on the phone.

mtcards · January 17, 2014 11:17PM

<< I had to file a claim yesterday on a package I shipped Dec.16 to Wisconsin. It was last scanned in Chicago Dec.18. Postmaster said consider it lost. Gave buyer full refund. >>

Funny, mine was going TO Chicago. Might have to add Chicago to the "countries not sent to" list

Littletweed · January 18, 2014 12:25AM

<< 

<< I had to file a claim yesterday on a package I shipped Dec.16 to Wisconsin. It was last scanned in Chicago Dec.18. Postmaster said consider it lost. Gave buyer full refund. >>

Funny, mine was going TO Chicago. Might have to add Chicago to the "countries not sent to" list >>

I'm in Chicago, the weather has been more normal as of late, but the first week and a half of January was brutal. I am in the same boat. Sold and shipped out $27 card Jan 2nd, USPS tracking was never updated, I assume it never got scanned but is still in the system. My buyer opened a case yesterday, I already refunded. Maybe it will still show up.

<< you really should open a case with usps on the phone not local post office.

also if the item is delivered after the case is closed you can make an appeal and get your money back . but you have to call them don't just file an appeal online you need to actually talk to someone on the phone.

<< 

This seems like good advise, thanks

ShoeboxTom · January 18, 2014 8:12AM

On this topic I mailed an item 2 weeks ago and the buyer opened up a case on me. The item was only $24.00 and I offered free shipping so to maximize my profit I did not purchase tracking. Well PayPal immediately took the $24.00 from me until the buyer receives the item.

Here is my question. Suppose the buyer receives the item, but does not bother to close the case stating that they have received the item. The buyer has 0 feedback. I also contacted the buyer asking them after this week has passed if they had received the item, but the buyer has not gotten back to me.

Thoughts?

mtcards · January 21, 2014 3:41AM

UPDATE

After 17 days, it has been processed at the local facility in Elk Grove, so it is now moving and should be delivered in a few days. NOW, the problem is, I was forced to give a refund by ebay. Guess I will find out if the buyer is honest or not pretty soon

Ilovecards · January 21, 2014 4:17AM

you should have listened to me

dennis07 · January 21, 2014 4:24AM

Most people are honest. Hopefully this one will be too. I'd contact him ahead of time and let him know I'd pay for return shipping.
Edited to add: Make sure if he does agree to return the package for him to use tracking. If he doesn't use tracking it could be destined
to "get lost in the mail".

mtcards · January 24, 2014 1:51AM

FINAL UPDATE

Item was finally delivered on 1/22. I actually have an item I bought around the same time as I sold this one, that is still not here yet, although the seller did take 5 days to mail it out, but no big deal.

The buyer has opted to return the card, either because he found another or already spent his card allowance on something else. Either way, I am ok with that result and look forward to putting the 1980 Henderson PSA 8 Rookie back on ebay soon.

WhiteTornado · January 24, 2014 2:08AM

<< FINAL UPDATE

Item was finally delivered on 1/22. I actually have an item I bought around the same time as I sold this one, that is still not here yet, although the seller did take 5 days to mail it out, but no big deal.

The buyer has opted to return the card, either because he found another or already spent his card allowance on something else. Either way, I am ok with that result and look forward to putting the 1980 Henderson PSA 8 Rookie back on ebay soon. >>

Glad to hear you dealt with an honest buyer. Hope your card comes back home soon.

Littletweed · January 24, 2014 3:48AM

<< also if the item is delivered after the case is closed you can make an appeal and get your money back . but you have to call them don't just file an appeal online you need to actually talk to someone on the phone. >>

Same situation for me, the card was delivered two days ago, refund was already sent.

So I called ebay, you can appeal a case that was not in your favor. If the item was delivered outside of the "expected delivery date," then ebay cannot help. They did send the buyer an email encouraging them to resubmit payment because the item was delivered. We'll see if he pays.

To the op - I'm glad it worked out for you

bbuckner22 · January 24, 2014 4:32AM

<< If the item was delivered outside of the "expected delivery date," then ebay cannot help >>

Wait, you mean to tell me if an item gets delivered to a buyer after "eBay's expected delivery date" has passed they won't automatically reverse a decision on a case? We all know those delivery date times are a friggin joke, so now the next big thing will be cases being opened up the second some scammer doesn't receive his card in time.

Item delivered after case opened question

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