Amazon-item not called for

bartelbe

I sold an old textbook on amazon, and I also put a return address on it. Now all seemed well, there was no complaint, no request for a refund. Then out of the blue a month later I get the book back with a Royal Mail failed delivery sticker. Explanation, item not called for. As far I understand it, this means the buyer didn't collect the item from the post office, when they couldn't post it (too big for letter box).

The question is, what do I do now? I posted it in good faith, and it isn't my fault the buyer failed to collect. I really don't want to offer a refund, it has been a month, and I think that is too long a period. neither do I want to pay to ship it again, because of either a royal mail or buyer screw up.

forgotmyname

Stick it on the side and wait for the buyer to contact you?

They dont always leave cards to say an item is waiting. Ive had that issues several times. Our post is terrible.

Even had one returned to the seller within days of him sending even though they are supposed to keep it for 5/7 days?

Tons of post going missing lately.

Irn-Bru-Kid

bartelbe wrote: »

I sold an old textbook on amazon, and I also put a return address on it. Now all seemed well, there was no complaint, no request for a refund. Then out of the blue a month later I get the book back with a Royal Mail failed delivery sticker. Explanation, item not called for. As far I understand it, this means the buyer didn't collect the item from the post office, when they couldn't post it (too big for letter box).

The question is, what do I do now? I posted it in good faith, and it isn't my fault the buyer failed to collect. I really don't want to offer a refund, it has been a month, and I think that is too long a period. neither do I want to pay to ship it again, because of either a royal mail or buyer screw up.

It really depends on how much you value the ability to sell on amazon.

The right thing to do would be to contact the buyer, explain it has been returned as undelivered and ask them if they would still like the book. If they do, post again, if not then refund in full.

The buyer has 90 days to open a case against you. Amazon is way worse than ebay and will almost definitely side with the buyer. Amazon also take no prisoners and will happily kick you off the site if you do not play by their rules.

You can of course not contact the buyer and hope the have 'forgotten' about it. Its risky with amazon, but its up to you.

bartelbe

Makes sense, if the card was not put through the door, could I get royal mail to resend it for free? As it was their fault?

Bit surprised I haven't heard anything from the buyer, the book cost just under £40. If I hadn't got the item and paid that much, I would have sent me a message at the very least. I thought it had been delivered successfully.

Anyway, good job I put a return address on it, or it could have been lost in the postoffice forever.

bartelbe

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

It really depends on how much you value the ability to sell on amazon.

The right thing to do would be to contact the buyer, explain it has been returned as undelivered and ask them if they would still like the book. If they do, post again, if not then refund in full.

The buyer has 90 days to open a case against you. Amazon is way worse than ebay and will almost definitely side with the buyer. Amazon also take no prisoners and will happily kick you off the site if you do not play by their rules.

You can of course not contact the buyer and hope the have 'forgotten' about it. Its risky with amazon, but its up to you.

Oh I've already contacted the buyer, I want to be honest. The problem isn't the postage screwup, it is the fact the buyer didn't give me any feedback. I thought all was OK, the book had arrived, and the money has already been released by Amazon.

Irn-Bru-Kid

bartelbe wrote: »

Oh I've already contacted the buyer, I want to be honest. The problem isn't the postage screwup, it is the fact the buyer didn't give me any feedback. I thought all was OK, the book had arrived, and the money has already been released by Amazon.

Best wait to see what the buyer wants to do really.

You have a couple of choices. Either send the book again (at your cost) or refund the buyer in full and relist the book.

The feedback/money released is irrelevant.

Just remember, worse case scenario and the buyer opens a case. Amazon will freeze the funds in your account to cover the value AND then hold the same amount again for another 30 days.

So, if the book cost £20.00, amazon will hold this money, refund the buyer and then hold another £20.00 for 30 days. If you don't have the money in your amazon account to cover the refund, they will deduct it from your card/bank account.

Just wait and see what the buyer wants to do and take it from there.

I have had many things I have sold returned as undelivered. I have refunded assuming the item has been lost and lo and behold it turns up four weeks later 'undelivered'

bartelbe

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

Best wait to see what the buyer wants to do really.

You have a couple of choices. Either send the book again (at your cost) or refund the buyer in full and relist the book.

The feedback/money released is irrelevant.

Just remember, worse case scenario and the buyer opens a case. Amazon will freeze the funds in your account to cover the value AND then hold the same amount again for another 30 days.

So, if the book cost £20.00, amazon will hold this money, refund the buyer and then hold another £20.00 for 30 days. If you don't have the money in your amazon account to cover the refund, they will deduct it from your card/bank account.

Just wait and see what the buyer wants to do and take it from there.

I have had many things I have sold returned as undelivered. I have refunded assuming the item has been lost and lo and behold it turns up four weeks later 'undelivered'

So basically it isn't really safe to assume that any money from an online sale is yours until months down the line?

Am I being a cynic in assuming that Amazon don't refund their commision on a refunded sale?

Irn-Bru-Kid

bartelbe wrote: »

So basically it isn't really safe to assume that any money from an online sale is yours until months down the line?

Am I being a cynic in assuming that Amazon don't refund their commision on a refunded sale?

Yep, amazon can claw the money back up to 90 days after a sale.

They will refund all fee's deducted.

bartelbe

Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »

Yep, amazon can claw the money back up to 90 days after a sale.

They will refund all fee's deducted.

So worst case I just lose the postage costs? Oh well live and learn, at least I got the book back.

To be honest the more I learn about Amazon, the more I like Ebay. For all the flaws in their feedback system, it does seem to keep sellers in touch with what is going on at the buyers end.

Plus there are no auto-pricers relentlessly driving prices down and the listing tools are far superior.

Irn-Bru-Kid

bartelbe wrote: »

So worst case I just lose the postage costs? Oh well live and learn, at least I got the book back.

To be honest the more I learn about Amazon, the more I like Ebay. For all the flaws in their feedback system, it does seem to keep sellers in touch with what is going on at the buyers end.

Plus there are no auto-pricers relentlessly driving prices down and the listing tools are far superior.

Personally, I only use ebay as a last resort. For me, there are just too many buyers who abuse the system.

Amazon is flawed, but you don't get anywhere near as many problems as you do with ebay.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Happens now and then with Amazon and despite emailing the customers some are never heard from again....

I find it very odd as some of the parcels have been £50 plus and not a peep.