seller protection

[berry_richa]

In March I sold an item to an overseas commercial buyer, but it was delayed in transit due to the pandemic. The buyer opened a case with ebay and I refunded his payment. Shortly afterwards, the item did arrive and was signed for (it was tracked). I messaged the buyer who promised to look into it but never came back to me. When I tried to raise the matter with ebay I was unable to do so as the matter was considered closed, presumably as I was out of time.

Recently, I again sold an item to the same buyer, but that has been delayed (tracking shows that it is stuck in an airport). He has opened a case with ebay. My fear is that if I refund his payment and the item is ultimately delivered (i.e. as before) I will again lose out::- obviously I would not be able to make an insurance claim via the Royal Mail on account of the item having arrived with the buyer.

Is there any way that I can protect myself?

Hugh 

[arkwebus]

All that you can do is to send the buyer a request for payment through Paypal but not - I think - quoting eBay.  The ebay case is closed.  Remember that if a buyer opens a non-receipt case you do still get 8 full days for arrival before the buyer can escalate. So you would be clear to repay on day 7.   Of course the other thing is that the item must be tracked; if not you will lose any case wwithout any investigation

I am not convinced about "Covid" delays.  Every single UK item that I have bought has arrived within the extended time limit set by eBay and most arrive within 48 or 24 hours. 

If selling abroad the latest predicted date for delivery is set by eBay and you would have to decide whether you can acheive that with whatever method you use + the 8 days above]. I would certainly not consider selling to anything but a mainstream country 

@berry_richa