Help request opened on order from 10 years ago

[treasuredcharms]

I just received a “help request” on an order from 2015.  The message states “I didn’t order this” and buyer requested a refund. I mean, not that I would, but it’s not even possible to refund an order from ten years ago so why can it be requested?  Etsy needs to turn off help requests on orders over a year old. 

This seems to happen to me a few times a year. I don’t know if they are clicking on the wrong order or if it is a scam but it’s really annoying.  I don’t even want to respond to this person. 

[bradgoodell]

It's a common scam this time of year.  Try this message:

"Are you sure you have the right shop?  This order was shipped 10 years ago.  It is well past the time where an investigation can be done or a refund given.  Sorry I cannot be of more help."  

This covers you if it is an actual mistake, and keeps you in a happy place with the Star Seller gods.  

And I agree, Etsy shouldn't allow "Help Requests" on orders over a year old when nothing can be done anyway.

[CoquetteBath]

it is like the old phone calls where someone would call and ask for 'Susan' and you'd go no Susan here...and then they'd launch into their pitch.

well dang, Susan isn't there? This is the number she gave us. Well, I guess her (insert great deal here) is now back open. Interested?

old as the hills, nearly.

[PillowDetails]

It sounds like it may be a case of a recycled tracking number.  I've seen this myself, as a Buyer.  I got the usual Etsy shipping email that my order was on the way.  I recognized the shop name, and had purchased many months prviously.  Looking closely at the tracking on my old order, I saw an origination location that was not in the state of my Seller, with a recent date!  There have been other posts like this in the Forums.  Seems to only be a thing with Etsy - probably due to their automated emails.

See if you can find the old order to see if you see something like I described with the tracking - at least you'd have something to tell the Buyer.