EBay seller missed parcel

gadget88

I sold a phone on eBay and the seller wasn’t at home. He mailed to check tracking few hours before. It was dropped off at DPD collection point in a supermarket. Mailed buyer to let him know heard nothing about else. He’s failed to collect only has to Tuesday. It says DPD send it back are they usually quite good at returning? 

Buster_Danog

I haven't had experience of DPD in this regard. In fact I used to post with them because they didn't leave things at collection points by default where UPS did.

I have had a similar experience with Royal Mail. Unfortunately it was down to the collection point to give the parcel back to Royal Mail and it took them weeks. You could always contact the collection point if the buyer doesn't collect.

gadget88

Tried this and couldn’t get through told me call main supermarket number. Hard to get in touch with courier too. It’s an expensive item im worried they won’t return it? 

Buster_Danog

I've been there. Not worth thinking about if there is no way of contacting those who have the parcel. Hopefully it is insured, if not that is the risk you take and you could learn a lesson from the experience.

soolin

gadget88 said:

I sold a phone on eBay and the seller wasn’t at home. He mailed to check tracking few hours before. It was dropped off at DPD collection point in a supermarket. Mailed buyer to let him know heard nothing about else. He’s failed to collect only has to Tuesday. It says DPD send it back are they usually quite good at returning? 

Can you clarify what address was given by ebay? Was it the home address or was it the shop address and more importantly, did it show as a click and collect purchase with a ECP number of some sort that had to be included with the address? The two systems make a huge difference to the way this is managed regarding refunds to buyer.

Click and collect via an Argos or Sainsburys was a nightmare for me and I have now opted out as so many people just didn't bother collecting. I only used RM at that point and items were returned to me fully tracked (I obviously had my return address clearly showing on parcel) and it usually took between 10 - 20 working days. That was a couple of years back so it might well have changed now. As it was click and drop ebay arranged the return, it was given a new label and I was sent tracking showing where it was. Buyer though was refunded automatically as soon as the return was initiated.

If this wasn't click and drop- ie buyer just gave a shop address as theirs then technically you can win an INR if it shows as delivered, but of course if it is returned to you then you would need to refund. I would wait until the parcel was returned to you before refunding though. This scenario is further complicated though by any rules the courier has for returns- do they automatically pick them back up and return to sender or do you have to make arrangements and potentially pay again?

gadget88

The parcel was to a home address but he wasn’t home. This despite him mailing to check tracking number an hour before. He’s also ignored eBay messages. DPD wouldn’t lift the parcel early they come Wednesday. They hold it for 14 days which could delay things but said I can pick up at my local depot 20 mile drive though. It’s certainly put me off selling on eBay. I was conned about ten years ago sold a phone to an unconfirmed PayPal address so they claimed back got phone for free. He’s also on selling other phones so it seems very dodgy. I will be relieved to get the phone back at the local depot.

gadget88

I don’t think there’s any collection fee it goes back to the sender but I can get it sooner by collecting at depot. I expect it to arrive back Thursday