To not want to keep storing expensive item when it has been sold?

I’m not able to send a letter to the buyer as I don’t have his address.

So where did you send the parcel if it wasn't his address?

Tell him that it needs collecting as you are not responsible for its insurance now he is the legal owner and there have been many robberies in your area.

I think you should get legal advice asap. The thing about scams is that people always think 'its not a scam'.

Couldn’t that be faked though?

And? Get it verified by the brand to be on the safe side. This is a scam in the making from the sounds of it.

I think you will need to return the money as £8k is a substantial amount but you are within your rights to deduct insurance costs. And if its an item of jewellery storage cost isn't an issue unless you are renting a safe, Still annoying though as you want it settled.

Or as others have suggested, for that value i’d be tempted to hand deliver it! What country is the buyer in?

Hi OP, definitely been going on too long but since they have paid you a significant amount of money, I’d be inclined to be as helpful as possible to “complete the deal” — can you find a courier (it’s a pain but worth it) and then communicate with the buyer the cost, they can send the amount and then send it yourself?

You could say that the storage fee and obvious insurance on the item will be deducted from the £8000 paid for the item that you must also have in your bank, right as they can't collect the item but you'll return their money to them.

The value of the item will appreciate so they really aren't out of pocket except for the storage and insurance fees.

You would just need to be able to produce if asked all of the attempts at getting the item collected and shipped to the purchaser.

You also clearly need to tighten up your T's & C's to cover events such as this going forwards.

Sounds to me like they could not pay the customs fee upon receipt.

Someone bought a pram off me on ebay. They said several times they would collect but didn't. I also chased them. After a month, when they had no recourse from ebay, I took it to the tip.

Surely after x time they have no come back? W
How do you prove the refund or delivery now?

But even if a fake was sent back the scammer still needs to get £8k back from OP to profit from it. I think OP said the money was already paid into her bank account so I'm not sure how she can lose in this situation - apart from the potential burglary risk mentioned earlier.

This or ..
Insure the jewellery, obtain his address and take a holiday to deliver it. If the country he lives in is gorgeous, it might be fun.

I would email him and just say you will be relisting the item for sale if he hasn't collected it within two weeks, see what happens.

It will be a negotiation from then on.

A) he will collect it
B) you will never hear from him again
C) he will ask for a refund, which you will do, but will deduct admin costs of £500-1000.

Money laundering is basically taking money you have obtained from an illegitimate source, moving it somewhere else and then getting it back again from a legitimate source. You should be suspicious of anyone who wants to pay money into your bank account and then receive the same money back into their own bank account.

You're missing my point. I'm not asking you on what point of law she may be allowed to keep the money. Not interested in that.

Why would she wish to, or feel entitled to go down this route over a sale that's fallen through (assuming she has the genuine item in her possession)? Wouldn't the inclination be to bill him for costs incurred, so relisting, reverification, agency fees, photos, day off work, travel and just resell for a higher price? There's been a bit of faffing involved but why would she feel morally entitled to 8k of this man's money as well as the item which is as far as we know, in saleable condition and prices have rises so she hasn't missed any opportunity to sell?

Sounds like a scam.

Any request for refund should be completely ignored, just in case it's a scam where they pay you then ask for some but not all back.

Sounds very dodgy not giving you an address.

If it's increased in value put it back on the market, return the £8k and make yourself a few bob in the process

If the item was returned to sender having been opened by customs then the buyers address should be on the label. (Waiting for the OP to say its been removed before being returned at which point I will call this as BS.)

I'd do this. Stick it up in the loft and await further communication. If none comes after a year...you're up 8 grand.

@SweetBirdsong or if he is that important he will have staff who can arrange the pick up for him.

But the OP doesn't want to keep it. She wants the 'very busy man with the terribly important job' to come and get his bloomin' item! 😬

As I said, NO-ONE is sooo busy that they couldn't have arranged for this item to be collected again. He just CBA for some reason, and it's very odd.

It’s an odd situation but I can’t understand how it could work as a scam. If the buyer had sent back a fake he would surely have asked for his money back long ago.
I think the item does need to be stored securely, with adequate insurance cover, at an official location.
The buyer could be given reasonable warning, 7-21 days of this happening.
He can be informed of the location, and advised that the storage fee has been paid until X date. That would need to be paid by OP.
If he fails to pay the storage charge or collect then the storage company will eventually sell it to cover their fees.
I don’t think there should be any mention of a refund. The item is sold. OP has made/ continues to make it available. It belongs to the buyer. OP has not been reckless with his property.

Just to throw a spanner in the works … as you’ve sold it, I doubt it will be covered under your house insurance as it’s now not actually yours? Just something to think about and look in to.

I do agree with this and think it could be money laundering. However..... if it IS money laundering, why would he just give away £8000 of 'laundered' money? Many people trying to launder money would invest it in a business, or buy high end/costly items with it. But this guy doesn't have the item. So he's £8,000 down at this point ...