I recently sold an item and sent it quickly to the buyer by Royal Mail Tracked 48.
Royal Mail tried twice to deliver it, without success.
Attempt 1: Royal Mail reported that the address was "inaccessible". (I contacted the buyer to advise that this had happened).
Attempt 2: Royal Mail reported that the buyer wasn't at home. (I again contacted the buyer about this and advised him to contact his local sorting office to either collect it or arrange a re-delivery).
Under the new "Simple Delivery" system, as I had proved that I have sent the item and that (unsuccessful)) attempts had been made to deliver it, the payment was released to me.
I have kept checking the tracking of the parcel to see if the buyer has collected/arranged re-delivery and received the item, but he has not, and the parcel has remained with Royal Mail.. The buyer also has never responded to any of my messages to him.
Today, a month after he won the auction and paid for it, the parcel was returned to me by Royal Mail, as he has not done anything to get his parcel.
So, what is my next move? I have received payment, but also have the item which he is obviously entitled to, having paid for it. But he is making no attempt to get his hands on his item.
Where do I stand? I would attempt sending the item again, but I don't think I should cover that cost, as I've done everything I'm supposed to. I could give a refund and re-list the item. But both of these options are made very difficult as I cannot get any response from the buyer, so I cannot discuss this with him.
I would hand this over to Ebay to sort out but I don't really want to deal with an automated "help bot". I'd rather speak to a real person that I can discuss the nuances with. Is it possible to contact some kind of Ebay telephone helpline?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
