Help Tried to Contact Etsy and Disconnected Me

[CottageintheCove]

I had a buyer reach out to me today stating she did not receive an item that she purchased back on Feb 14, 2022. I checked the tracking and it shows it was delivered to the buyer. The buyer then sent me a copy of the tracking and it shows it will be delivered Dec 2022? So I did further research and the information for the tracking that is in My Etsy is not the same tracking that I had 9 months ago. This tracking # shows it was shipped out of Kansas Nov 24, 2022, I live in Texas.

(REMOVED)

I did a chat with Etsy and provided all the information and then the rep disconnected me. Tried to get back into chat and was not able to. I worked in a call center for years and know when a call is dropped ( rep disconnects). Buyer wants a refund and I will not give a refund for something I shipped 9 months ago! And have proof because etsy charged me $3.72 for the label. It has been 9 months so the label does not pull up any longer. Hopefully Etsy sees this and helps with this issue. Has anyone else had this issue?

[NoFrogsAllowed]

USPS recycles tracking numbers, which does cause problems.

[2di4jewelryoriginals]

I had a similar convo a couple months ago, buyer bought a necklace a year ago and just discovered she didn't receive it. I think it's a scam of some sort. Anyway, nothing to worry about since it's been too long for the buyer to open a case or leave feedback. Tell the buyer sorry, but you are unable to assist them due to the length of time since the item was shipped.  

[VintageRescueSquad · Accepted solution]

Yes, the consensus is that USPS recycles tracking numbers after 6 months. There is no way to refund a buyer after 3 months (I believe). There is nothing you can do.

Also, it's highly likely that this could be a scam. Nefarious buyers know about recycled tracking numbers and often request a refund when too much time has passed.

There is literally nothing you can do at this point. Explain to the buyer that they need to contact etsy as a buyer themselves as your hands are tied after all this time. 

[VintageRescueSquad]

As to the call center being no help, they are outsourced and cannot help with situations like this.

[CottageintheCove]

Thank you everyone for your help. I had thought it was a recycling issue with the tracking #'s and told the buyer that.

[swatchoclock]

So your buyer is either confused or trying to 'scam' you... Sorry about your situation!