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 

[red_magpie]

None, I'm afraid.

As you know, eBay's decision is based on the tracking record. If it's past the latest estimated delivery date and the item hasn't been delivered, a refund is automatic.

If the buyer then also keeps the item when it arrives eBay does nothing to support the seller. It happens so often, but eBay simply doesn't seem to care about the seller.

I'm surprised that you didn't put this buyer on your blocked bidders list after the first time they exploited this to get your item for free.

[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  

[m25jet]

Given that this is the second time that this buyer has done this to you the best way that you could protect yourself with problems relating to posting to this buyer's address would be to add his User ID to your Blocked Bidders List.  If you click on the link that I have included in this message http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/ebayisap/.dll?bidderblocklogin.  then it should take you to the relevant page to enable you to block the buyer.  A white box should appear on the page.  Add the buyer's User ID to that white box and click on the blue "Submit" button beneath it.  Once you have done that this buyer will not be able to make any further purchases from you and cause you any further aggravation.  If you were to lose this case you'd end up with a defect on your account if the tracking does not prove successful delivery of the item to the address that PayPal gave you.  If you were to pick up too many defects then it could be curtains for you as far as selling on eBay is concerned.

[john1297576]

Nothing you can do to force a buyer to pay after being refunded. There is no case to open and Ebay would not be interested.

Letting it happen twice is rather foolish. Any problem with a buyer and they should go on your Blocked Bidders List. 

I bet the buyer could not believe it when he was given the opportunity for a second Freebie.

The only way to protect yourself is to use your BBL, before he tries it again.