Ebay- I sold & it was delivered back to me

catt_2

I sold a theatre ticket on Ebay and as the performance was the day after the auction I advertised the listing as personal pick-up preferred or first class signed for post at the buyer's risk.

The winning bidder wanted it posted.

Two days passed and I had no feedback from the buyer. The same day Ebay notified me that the buyer had tried to open a case because the item hadn't arrived yet but it is too soon, so Ebay asked the buyer to contact me.

I emailed the buyer asking what the problem is. Later the same day I got the item returned in the post. I'm not sure why it was delivered to me but it is a total waste of the ticket.

It looks like I'm the one who will lose out. I'll have to refund the buyer and face negative feedback as well.

How should I proceed please? I haven't actually heard from the buyer at all.

kerri_gt

What does the First Class Signed for tracking say? Was it delivered and signed for, or was it left incollected at a Post Office and then returned, or perhaps refused? If you have proof that the buyer requested postage, and your auction details stating when the ticket was for, plus proof of postage in the agreed method, I would think that you may have a chance of winning the case.

hermum

Why was it sent back to you?

forgotmyname

Read lots of posts with similar reports. Looks like selling tickets on ebay is risky, Especially if the date is close.

People bid with no intention of buying and know the ticket will be useless, Someone or some people appear not
think all sellers are ticket touts and want to stop it.

Even if you had put collection only they may have strung you out until it was too late to use the tickets.

soolin

Unfortunately you made a basic error, you failed to use a service that guaranteed delivery of the ticket. Only special delivery would have got the ticket there the next day, 1st class would not.

It doesn't matter what tracking says as buyer would have been perfectly correct to have even just refused to sign for it once it was toolate tohave been of any use.

If selling time limited items it does pay to be extremely careful about delivery methods. So all you can do here is refund in full and take the loss yourself.

catt_2

I am not a ticket tout and I was selling this ticket at below face value and guaranteed next day delivery would have doubled the total cost to the buyer.

I agree, Soolin that I made a basic error, so I must refund the buyer. Should this be a mutual so that I get back the ebay and paypal fees? Can the buyer still leave neg feedback?

soolin

catt wrote: »

I am not a ticket tout and I was selling this ticket at below face value and guaranteed next day delivery would have doubled the total cost to the buyer.

I agree, Soolin that I made a basic error, so I must refund the buyer. Should this be a mutual so that I get back the ebay and paypal fees? Can the buyer still leave neg feedback?

If you refund the paypal payment in full from the original payment then all your paypal fees are refunded automatically. Then if you give the buyer time for the refund to make it back to them you can chance a mutual to recover your FVFs as you have nothing to lose by doing this, if you have kept in contact with the buyer and they are happy that this was just an honest mistake then they may well agree .

Yes the buyer can still leave feedback, but dealing with this in a pleasant and prompt manner should mean that any feedback is still positive.

catt_2

Soolin, the buyer has made no contact with me but tried to open an ebay dispute prematurely.

I have emailed him but got no reply.:(

I'll go ahead and refund in full on paypal then.

soolin

catt wrote: »

Soolin, the buyer has made no contact with me but tried to open an ebay dispute prematurely.

I have emailed him but got no reply.:(

I'll go ahead and refund in full on paypal then.

Some buyers just don't bother maybe he assumed it was coming special delivery and was therefore lost. However if you refund the paypal payment then a claim via paypal can no longer be made or count against you on your seller dashboard.

catt_2

Thanks Soolin. I have refunded by paypal and done a mutual with a nice message on ebay.

Rupert_Bear

All these conspiracy theories. If it had your return address on the outside of the item it is quite possible the Royal Mail auto system may have read it as the forwarding address and may be why it came back to you. Also it should have gone by Special delivery because you are insured for any problems.