eBay: Unclaimed package?

blindinglights

blindinglights

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I sold some rare audio CDs on eBay at the end of February. The person didn't pay initially and I opened an unpaid case. One day before the unpaid case expired, the PayPal payment came in. So I mailed the package the very next day first class with confirmation (they paid late at night). I checked the tracking two days later and the package was out for delivery, so I figured that was that, done with this. That was the first week of March.

I'm out cutting the grass today and I notice this box sticking out of the mailbox. I go pick it up and it's the package. There was a big "unclaimed" sticker on it and notes/dates written all over it. I look up the tracking, which I had to get off my paper records since eBay wont display anything older than 60 days. The tracking information says it was sent out for delivery and a notice was left then 22 days later they marked it as unclaimed and sent it back.

The buyer has never contacted me, not when I sent emails about not paying within a few days of the auction, not when I sent an email saying that the package was shipped, not when she apparently never actually received her items. I've double checked the PayPal records, I definitely sent it to the right address and it is listed as a confirmed address.

So what should I do? Is there a time limit that someone can file a PayPal claim? What would PayPal do considering the tracking information shows that she never claimed the package? Even if she didn't get the notice slip from the post office, she had tracking information and would have seen that the post office had the package.

It just doesn't make sense why someone would pay, never pick up the package, but not file a claim or anything. If it were a scam, what's the scam? I got paid, nobody got the package, and no claims were filed? I even thought to check the obituaries, but she's still alive as far as I can tell.
 
[quote name='blindinglights']Is there a time limit that someone can file a PayPal claim?[/QUOTE]

I believe it's 45 days from the end of the auction. You could try contacting the buyer again, but it doesn't sound like that would do much good.
 
Shrug and move on, claim date has passed. So you can either email them asking if they want the stuff and where to send it or just resell it.
 
IMHO,

Resell it, and if they file a claim within a reasonable time (90 days from purchase), refund them what they paid MINUS the ebay fees for the new sale and any other costs you incurred, plus a 15% "restocking fee" for your extra time spent on it...

I don't think anyone could argue that isn't fair.... but i'm sure there are some who would try...

That is the answer to the question What Would Iggy Do? (not that you asked, or care)
 
I'd contact them again and then hold it until a full 90 days has passed, then resell it. By that point, they can't file a claim or even leave you negative feedback. After 90 days, do whatever you want.

I'd also tell them that, if they do opt to have you resend the CDs, they'll have to pay shipping again- it's not your fault they didn't pick it up the first time. Not sure what you should do if they ask for money back- maybe take off the cost of fees or something (if you refund at all.)
 
I was in a similar situation... very late payment then a package was returned, and later I found out the guy had died. They told me to just keep the stuff (and the money).... sad, though.
 
This has happened to me twice. I got a package I sold back in August '10 in the mail the other day. It was going to some FPO I believe and it was unclaimed, so I just kept it and am reselling it. Nothing I can do really. The other time, the person never contacted me and I just kept the money since it was already 90 days past due. I couldn't refund and they didn't contact me. Unethical? Maybe, but there was nothing I could do other than eat a bunch of eBay fees and paypal fees, which I was not willing to do.
 
Resell it. If you sell enough on ebay you will be screwed in the near future. Think of this as making up for getting screwed at a later date. I have had TONS of those and very very rarely does someone contact you. When a person on ebay doesn't get a package they will let you know. You did your part. Shipping it where it was supposed to be shipped to in a timely fashion. The buyer has a responsibility also, meaning they have a responsibility to actually pick up the package.

As for it not making sense, it really does happen. I wouldn't say often but it isn't as rare as you would think it is. I received a positive feedback one time from a person saying that I was a good seller though they weren't sure if they received it or not. They hadn't emailed me about anything. That was the only thing I heard from them. People that buy on ebay can be an odd bunch.
 
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