02-09-2025 12:31 PM
I sold an item to a customer, but he failed to tell me he was going in holiday. I sent the item and parcel force made 3 failed attempts to deliver, then returned the item to me. Am I obliged to refund the item, even though he made no reasonable attempt to accommodate the delivery. Not my fault and not the couriers.
thanks.
02-09-2025 12:35 PM
Yep, it's not you fault or the couriers that's right, but you have both the item and the buyer's money, which is not right.
Cancel the order citing Problem with Buyer's address, and the buyer will be fully refunded.
Send them a polite message to explain what you are doing.
02-09-2025 1:32 PM
As far as eBay is concerned you have done your job and they count attempted delivery as actual 'delivery'. That said @tressygirl is right, most sellers would refund the Item Price as a courtesy. Personally I do not refund any postage that I have paid, and I block them from buying again.
02-09-2025 3:09 PM
Use your morals. 'Do unto others' and all that.
Personally, if I were the buyer, I would expect a refund, but realise it was my mistake, and that I have to forfeit the postage cost the seller suffered.
Where it could also get complicated if you do keep both, is that (unless eBay’s T&Cs state otherwise) then they legally own the item, since they paid for it. So you technically could be committing an offence to keep it; as you are not taking reasonable steps to (re)unite an owner with their property.