What can I do if buyer doesn't pick up the item from the post office?

[CharlotteJewelryBox]

I have a buyer who bought an item from me on 15 Feb and it was arrived at her unit on 23 Feb. I sent it my registered airmail with a tracking number. May be there's no one at her home when the item was delivered, the postman left her a notice. If the item is unclaimed for 30 days, then it will be returned to the sender.

I've sent her 2 reminders but no response so far. What can I do if buyer doesn't pick up the item from the post office? Should I make a refund when the item is returned? Does anyone experience same situation?

[Former_Member]

At this point I think you just wait and see. If it's returned to you I would refund her the cost of the item, but not the shipping. You've made a good effort to try to contact her, I don't know what else you can do.

[Former_Member]

If she doesn't respond and she doesn't pick up the item, I would probably refund the money when you get the item back. Maybe she's in the hospital, or some other personal matter that requires her to be away. Give her a couple more reminders, but if you get the item back you shouldn't keep the money she gave you for it.

[Former_Member]

I would wait until the post offic returns the item to you, then cancel the transaction, that way if there has been some emergency causing her not to receive the item you wont be out a lot of time and money. If she decides she does still want the item she can repurchase it at a later time.

[JewelleryByJora]

I'd refund the item price but not the shipping once the item is returned to you, there's not a lot else you can do. She's got a while left to pick it up though. Maybe her PO is a long way away and it's just taking a while.

[MythOfTheWild]

If it's really been that long, it will just end up being returned to you. It's strange that she wouldn't collect it - I would usually say she's just been busy but given that in about a week or so it'll be returned to you, it's their problem.

If it does end up returned to you, just refund them and add a message to the refund, and on Etsy, to let them know that after several attempts to contact them both by yourself and the post office, the item's been returned to you, and the buyer's been refunded. If they still want the item then they will just have to go through the process of purchasing it on Etsy again.

I'm not entirely sure that I'd offer them a discount in this state - free shipping or something - since it wasn't anything to do with you, it's through their own negligence that it was returned.
And if the worst has happened and she's in hospital, I wouldn't think that running to the post office would be something she would worry about, and neither is the item being returned to you and her refunded.

Wait until it winds up on your doorstep.

[CharlotteJewelryBox]

Thank you so much for the replies from all of you! Actually I also think that she may be very busy or has some personal matter. I'll send her one more reminder before the deadline for returning the item to me. If it is returned, I'll refund to her right away.

[CharlotteJewelryBox]

The item was finally returned to me by the US Postal Service. Today, I've cancelled the transaction and issued a refund to the buyer. Paypal charged 1% on the refund. Buyer was unresponsive, never respond to my email but has some activities on etsy. It is totally unfair to the seller.

Does anyone has same experience?

[Former_Member]

I guess you'll have to leave a note in her feedback. Sorry.

[CharlotteJewelryBox]

I already left her a feedback. Thank you Judith.