What happens if you sell something on eBay, but the buyer never takes delivery?

[Bungle73]

Sold a mountain bike dropper post the other week. Sent it to the registered address. According to the tracking there have been three delivery attempts, and the latest says "Parcel returned to Sub Depot" which I think might mean it's on it's way back to me, but I'm not sure. What am I supposed to do if this thing arrives back at my door??

The one before that says "Delay due to address access".....whatever that means....

 

[steamybrian]

Sold a mountain bike dropper post the other week. Sent it to the registered address. According to the tracking there have been three delivery attempts, and the latest says "Parcel returned to Sub Depot" which I think might mean it's on it's way back to me, but I'm not sure. What am I supposed to do if this thing arrives back at my door??

The one before that says "Delay due to address access".....whatever that means....

In the past if the postman could not deliver a parcel he has put a card through my letterbox stating that the item has been returned to the local sorting office for my collection from there.
If the item has been paid for then it is for the buyer to arrange collection.

 

[Iskra]

It will get returned to you if not collected by the buyer from the local sorting depot within 3 weeks.

 

[Bungle73]

It's actually a Hermes delivery.

 

[Iskra]

It's actually a Hermes delivery.

Oh dear

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's actually a Hermes delivery.

There's a lesson there.

 

[Bungle73]

I used the Paklink thing. It's not really Hermes' fault if the buying isn't accepting delivery.

 

[Darandio]

I used the Paklink thing. It's not really Hermes' fault if the buying isn't accepting delivery.

That assumes they were attempting to deliver to the correct address in the first place. Or even attempting to deliver it at all.

 

[Snow1964]

Firstly contact the buyer (there is an option in the drop downs against the item, in the selling part of my eBay.

If they don’t want it, but have paid it, open a dispute (this should stop them claiming non-delivery and getting their money back easily). Forgotten the actual process, but think you have to wait something like 4 days, for other party to explain, then if they are ignoring you it moves on.

If you get it back and have to refund, remember to deduct the postage charges

 

[Flying Snail]

It's not really Hermes' fault if the buying isn't accepting delivery.

That's an assumption I wouldn't be making just because Hermes says it. Crap couriers have a well earned reputation for not doing their jobs properly and Hermes would be well up on a list of crap couriers.

Contact the buyer to see what they have to say before anything else.

Also remember the contract for delivery is between you and the courier (or middleman) not the buyer so any problem with the delivery is your responsibility to sort out.

Attempting to take the delivery fees off any refund unless it is clear the buyer is at fault would be a bad move.

 

[Jamiescott1]

Happened to me, was returned to me as I put a return address and the buyer gave me a bad review saying I didn't send it even through there'd be 3 attempted deliveries.

I let the dust settle then I sent him some anonymous threatening emails saying I know his address and to watch his back

 

[Darandio]

Happened to me, was returned to me as I put a return address and the buyer gave me a bad review saying I didn't send it even through there'd be 3 attempted deliveries.

I let the dust settle then I sent him some anonymous threatening emails saying I know his address and to watch his back

All because of a bad review. The mind boggles.

 

[skyhigh]

I let the dust settle then I sent him some anonymous threatening emails saying I know his address and to watch his back

Because that is a rational, grown up and fully legal course of action to take over a single negative review...

 

[Bungle73]

I was just going to let things roll on as they are for now, and see what happens. The tracking is all going through eBay's system, so I can't foresee any problems in that regard.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Happened to me, was returned to me as I put a return address and the buyer gave me a bad review saying I didn't send it even through there'd be 3 attempted deliveries.

I let the dust settle then I sent him some anonymous threatening emails saying I know his address and to watch his back

You committed a serious criminal offence which could carry prison time just because you were a bit miffed about a failed delivery but still got the item back? Wow. I hope for your sake you've got more patience now.

 

[Bungle73]

Now it's saying "Held - information required" and "Held - unable to deliver". What the hell is going on!

 

[wilbers]

Is it going directly to your buyers home/work address rather than a collection point (such as Argos)?; collection points have size restrictions that a bike probably exceeds.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is it going directly to your buyers home/work address rather than a collection point (such as Argos)?; collection points have size restrictions that a bike probably exceeds.

Or might there be e.g. a loose dog?

Why don't you message the buyer and say the courier tracking has said unable to deliver, and ask for assistance e.g. what might be the cause? Honesty is always the best policy.

 

[ajs]

I had the very same a few weeks ago.I sent a package by EVRI using Paklink.

On the sales description on eBay l did say that l would be using EVRI- it’s more convenient to me than going to post office.

After the first delivery attempt the buyer contacted me to say that he had no safe place or neighbours and could l get package redirected to works address but at that stage was too late.

The courier made 3 attempts to deliver and then returned it to depot and l expected it to be returned to me but no was sent back to courier to have another 3 goes at delivery

And then it was returned to depot and then it was back to the courier to have another 3 goes at delivery!

Strangely on the days that the buyer was in, EVRI did not try and deliver!

The package was then returned to me.

I could see from the tracking history what was happening but some of the comments needed further explanation as did not fully explain what was happening.

The buyer and l had good communications and when the package was returned to me, l sent it to his work address and absorbed the additional postage cost myself.

I have had no problems with Hermes or EVRI ( yet!) but trying to contact someone in customer services is impossible.

When l next sell something, l will add a paragraph making it clear who the carrier will be and if the article is returned to me, it will only be resent on payment of additional postage costs.

 

[Ediswan]

Is it going directly to your buyers home/work address rather than a collection point (such as Argos)?; collection points have size restrictions that a bike probably exceeds.

The OP did not send a whole bike, just a dropper seat post.

 

[Bungle73]

The buyer has just told me that are not at home and won't be until Sunday! They want me to tell the courier to delay the package. I don't even know how to do that or if they will. What am I supposed to do now? Why order a package he knew full well he wouldn't be available to take in??

 

[Bletchleyite]

The buyer has just told me that are not at home and won't be until Sunday! They want me to tell the courier to delay the package. I don't even know how to do that or if they will. What am I supposed to do now? Why order a package he knew full well he wouldn't be available to take in??

Hermes will not do that. I think all you'll be left with is saying if it's returned to you the sale is cancelled, refund it and you won't sell to them again (I think you can block buyers in eBay) then put it up for sale again. It'll cost you the postage, unfortunately, they won't refund it if it is returned.

And don't use Hermes next time!

Had it been Royal Mail it'd have gone to the depot for them to collect at their leisure (I think you get 15 days).

 

[Bungle73]

Hermes will not do that. I think all you'll be left with is saying if it's returned to you the sale is cancelled, refund it and you won't sell to them again (I think you can block buyers in eBay) then put it up for sale again. It'll cost you the postage, unfortunately, they won't refund it if it is returned.

And don't use Hermes next time!

Had it been Royal Mail it'd have gone to the depot for them to collect at their leisure (I think you get 15 days).

What if I don't refund him the postage, only the cost of the item?

 

[wilbers]

Would redelivery to the closest Hermes collection point to the buyer work?, if Hermes won't hold it at the depot. I don't know how long they would have to collect it.

 

[Bungle73]

Would redelivery to the closest Hermes collection point to the buyer work?, if Hermes won't hold it at the depot. I don't know how long they would have to collect it.

Apparently the buyer already tried to rearrange the deliver, but it wouldn't accept his postcode. It's the same one I sent it to.

I just tried it myself, it says "This is the incorrect postcode".............

I just tried my own postcode and that worked, so it looks like it's on its way back to me......

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would redelivery to the closest Hermes collection point to the buyer work?, if Hermes won't hold it at the depot. I don't know how long they would have to collect it.

There aren't Hermes collection points. Some of the couriers will allow you to collect from their home as an extra thing (basically saves them the effort of trying repeatedly), but most won't.

It is cheap for a reason. Don't use it.

It indeed sounds like it's on the way back to you. I'd probably first of all offer the buyer Royal Mail at the additional cost, but if they won't then refund them and put it back on sale. Oh, and did I mention, don't use Hermes next time!

 

[Bungle73]

There aren't Hermes collection points. Some of the couriers will allow you to collect from their home as an extra thing (basically saves them the effort of trying repeatedly), but most won't.

It is cheap for a reason. Don't use it.

It indeed sounds like it's on the way back to you. I'd probably first of all offer the buyer Royal Mail at the additional cost, but if they won't then refund them and put it back on sale. Oh, and did I mention, don't use Hermes next time!

I don't know it's possible to do that through eBay. I think I'd rather just sell to someone else tbh. It took 2 weeks from the auction end for me to even hear anything from the buyer......

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't know it's possible to do that through eBay.

You can specify whatever delivery service you wish when setting up a listing. There is no compulsion to use Paklink, and indeed I probably wouldn't as that's yet another entity in the line of responsibility (and taking its cut!)

 

[Bungle73]

You can specify whatever delivery service you wish when setting up a listing.

But if I set up a new listing I'm not selling it to the original buyer am I....

 

[8A Rail]

I don't know it's possible to do that through eBay. I think I'd rather just sell to someone else tbh. It took 2 weeks from the auction end for me to even hear anything from the buyer......

And in that time, you had the option to cancel the sale / transaction on ebay as the buyer had not paid normally within seven days which I would of done the following, put the item for sale again and blocked the original buyer from bidding on any future items you may wish to sell.

On Ebay in the Help section they have a through Q&A section covering most issues along with guidelines in what action is open to you as a seller. If you have not done so already, take some time out and have a read. There is some helpful information there.

With regards to your existing issue, my advice get the item back from the Courier especially if they already attempted delivery three times with no response, apply a full refund to the buyer and start again with the auction. The buyer is clearly not been easy to deal with whether receiving payment or when they wish item to be delivered - they are causing the isssues, so best to avoid! Also were possible purchase your postage on Ebay using Royal Mail delivery as in most cases it can be tracked and comes up on the Ebay system too. So if there is any issue on non delivery, then all details will come up to say when it was delivered or not as it may be.

(PS: I have used Hermes for non Ebay items and never had any issues whether sending or receiving)