Charity auction unable to deliver cancelled.

[bluraysarethefuture]

Hello,  I recently listed an item as a charity item. The item was a handmade item made by myself and as such didn't have any value, But it was signed by a band and featured in a music video and the band also promoted the listing on their Facebook page. This started a bidding war and the item went for a substantial amount of money.  So far so good.

But when I went to post the item , eBay international posting system wouldn't work. Ebay said just to post it and mark as dispatched. So I did. 

The parcel didn't make it through customs and was returned to sender. I tried again with different shipping codes that the buyer had suggested having spoken to the overseas courier. It is currently on its way back to me again. So we agreed to cancel the auction with me believing as the item hadn't been recieved thinking the funds where still with eBay. No, the funds had already been sent to the charity and now I was liable to refund the buyer the substantial amount of money. 

Ebay said I had to ask the charity for the money back. Although it felt wrong, I couldn't afford to lose that amount of money so I contacted the charity and explained the situation. So far, no communication back. Is their a flaw in eBay charity donation, could I have done something different, has anyone had any experience of this, or is it just me?

[tressygirl]

You say the item is on its way back to you again.

Once received,  then you're back to square one you have the item to sell again.  Perhaps not to the same buyers,  delist the charity donation box,  and once sold maybe send the money to this charity yourself.

When the item was returned the first time,  you should have cancelled the order citing ... Problem with Buyer's Address.  

Let's hope the item reaches you again the second time.

@bluraysarethefuture 

[bluraysarethefuture]

Thankyou for the reply.

When I cancelled the order after the second delivery attempt, I did cite as, problem with buyers address. But as the funds are sent straight to a charity before the sale is delivered and completed. The funds on cancelling are taken from the sellers funds or bank account automatically. 

So if you sold a piece of paper as a charity auction with an autograph on it for £20,000 and the order is cancelled, you now owe the buyer £20,000 if the charity decides not to reimburse. 

It's just something people should be aware of as a potential risk.