eBay Item Sold Paid for, but Never Picked up

craigmate on 04/05/2021 - 11:37
Last edited 04/05/2021 - 11:58 by 1 other user

HI All

Just a quick question for some advice on an Item I sold on eBay

So in March 2020 I listed an item on eBay, it was only a $20 item. My instructions were pick up only from my home location or my work office (In the city)

Anyway by the time it sold in June 2020, we were of course all working from home. I didn't update the eBay item, but once it was sold, I told them I wasn't going into the city as often as previous and that I might be able to go in one day to arrange the handover.

However we were never able to agree on days, so after a few week, the buyer asked for quote to post it. Because it was a bulky item, postage was $16, the buyer said that was almost the price of the item and that he might arrange a college to pick it up.

Anyway I didn't hear anything for a few week, and then in August 2020, Victoria went into hard lockdown, the buyer asked if he ever send the money for postage, I said no, and he said we can organize it once lockdown ends.

Anyway the lockdown of course took months and by the time we were out of it, I had forgotten about this item. Anyway on New Years Day this year, I got another email saying can we now meet up and do the handover, I said I could go into the office at the end of that week (which I did) and we could do the handover, I never got a response back and haven't had any further emails (so almost 4 months now)

Since it happened so long ago, I can't even refund the money via PayPal.

So what should I do, try and contact the buyer again, or give up and re-sell it.

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Comments

  • SF3 on 04/05/2021 - 11:44
    +18

    contact the buyer again

    Yes.

    • IVI on 04/05/2021 - 16:31

      Next time, insist on a phone # (until COVID' era ends)

  • SnowDragon on 04/05/2021 - 11:45
    -6

    At this point I'd just post it to him as a gesture of goodwill and only make $4 on the sale.

    • JimmyF on 04/05/2021 - 12:13

      You forget Ebay takes 11% cut, paypal another 2ish%. Then you need to pay for packing etc. So lets call it 14% all up, so $2.80.

      Why bother for $1.20, just refund the first seller and list it again. This time with a postage option!

      • FireRunner on 04/05/2021 - 12:49

        It's been over a year, OP is not getting the money back for eBay or PayPal fees either way

        • JimmyF on 04/05/2021 - 13:27
          +1

          Agreed, but doesn't mean the OP has to give the item away for 'free' after postage is paid.

  • FireRunner on 04/05/2021 - 11:46
    +2

    I would contact them one more time to organise a time to pick up and warn them that you'll be reselling the item if they don't pickup by set date.
    They did pay for the item so reselling without notice would not be fair. Alternatively, you can ask for their details and send the money back that way.

  • Hithere on 04/05/2021 - 11:46
    +1

    Trying to resell item might jog seller's memory. What would you do if you sold it a second time and original purchaser contacted you for pickup.

    I'd try to contact them again first, give them (say) 14 days to organise pickup or you'll put item up for reselling again.

  • popsiee on 04/05/2021 - 11:49
    +1

    Give up and do as you please . With a provision of If he gets in contact with you again only then refund .

  • iNeed2Pee on 04/05/2021 - 11:53
    +1

    FFS it is advice. Not advise……every post this happens!

    • SF3 on 04/05/2021 - 11:55

      Just a quick question for some advise on an Item I sold on eBay

      OP wants to be advised with advice. How’s that? :)

      • iNeed2Pee on 04/05/2021 - 12:33

        Getting downvoted for speaking the truth.

        • SF3 on 04/05/2021 - 12:52

          yes, truth hurts. :)

          +vote to neutralise it.

        • pjetson on 04/05/2021 - 16:31
          +1

          That's sadly how negs work around here.

        • Save 50 Cent on 07/05/2021 - 22:53

          It is not always what you say. It is how you say it!

  • craigmate on 04/05/2021 - 11:58
    +5

    Ok, So I have sent an email to ask if we can arrange to meet as I now go into the city more regularly, or as an alternative if you want it posted, can we arrange for payment

    Lets see what happens…

  • tsunamisurfer on 04/05/2021 - 11:58

    As the buyer has already paid, give him the option one last time to pick up the item.

  • JimmyF on 04/05/2021 - 12:10
    +2

    So what should I do, try and contact the buyer again, or give up and re-sell it.

    You can issue a refund via paypal if you want to.

    But basically the buyer has 180 days to do a refund request.

    So you can sell the item again, but be prepared to refund the first buyer.

  • Logical on 04/05/2021 - 14:26

    This happened to me around 5 years ago and I am still holding onto the bathroom vanity unit in my underground holding area. I might give it another 5 years and see if they come and collect.. otherwise I will just bin it when I do a clean up of that area.

    • IVI on 04/05/2021 - 16:37

      Maybe eBay, PayPal or your jurisdiction has a =shorter=
      Statute of Limitations…?

    • Switchblade88 on 04/05/2021 - 16:50
      +4

      underground holding area

      Dungeon??

      • SF3 on 04/05/2021 - 22:54

        It’s logical.

      • Logical on 07/05/2021 - 22:36

        yep, pretty much. Has a hidden access door.

  • craigmate on 24/08/2021 - 13:13

    So if anyone cares, here is an update…
    So we agreeded to meet back in May on a Thursday (which was the 1 day a week we went to the office). However a few days before,. I got sick, And in these covid times,. I said I won't be going In,. I sent 2 messages, but never got a follow up… Then Melbourne went into lockdown again (4 or 5. It's all a blur now) and I totally forgot.. then 3 weeks ago he emailed out of the blue ask if we can send it. Since with lockdown it's difficult to meet up. I said the item is actually at my work office and will need to wait till I can return or if they want a refund… He said he will wait till we can return to the office… However with the current Melbourne lockdown,. Who knows when that will be…So the saga continues

  • craigmate on 31/07/2024 - 14:20
    +1

    Well, if anyone cares on my post from 3 years ago. Here is an update… lol

    After the last message, and the end of lockdowns in Victoria, i never heard back from the buyer, and just relisted it again on eBay 6 months later, and it sold back in mid 2022.
    This would have to be the strangest experience I have had selling something on eBay, 2 years/lockdowns all for a $20 item.

    I have had others who have won items, but never paid (seems quite common) but never somebody who paid, but never picked up.

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