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

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

Couldn’t that be faked though?

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

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’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?

Why would someone pay £8k for an item, then return a fake to the seller? The seller still has the money, for the item that she wanted to sell! I don't understand the benefit to the buyer that paying for an item, collecting the item and then going to the trouble of copying the item, down to the serial number, in order to return it, but without asking for the money back, is supposed to bring? 'Money-laundering' - what, £8k? Not the biggest criminal enterprise, is it?

Sounds like the buyer is too rich and too busy to care.

The courier returned either a. Because he refused pay duties or b. Not found at that address.

Report to your bank and to HMRC.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/money-laundering-regulations-report-suspicious-activities

• a customer has tried to make an exceptionally large cash payment
• the customer behaved strangely, or made unusual requests that did not seem to make sense
• the transaction they wanted to make just did not add up commercially

This is the most sensible course of action, OP.

Do not refund a single penny. You are at risk of being out of pocket either because: it's a fake, money laundering or you have to try resell, which may not happen as easily and the mess about selling it and cost of doing so.
It does not appear to scream money laundering because he's not asked for a refund for so long but who knows. The amount is irrelevant if it is. People who money launder do often do surprisingly small amounts as not to raise suspicion. I have know them do 100s before.
If it was me I'd keep the money and the item. Make sure you have written proof of sending it and it being returned and if you trying to contact buyer. You have done your best. Put the item somewhere and forget the whole thing. You can resell it after a year or two. Regardless of the legalities no one in their right mind would rule against you in this surely. He's unlikely to take you to court let's be honest.

It is odd that you had no address. Where did you send it?

If it's a watch go to a watch specialist not just a jeweller, if you do decide to get it checked out that is. I know a couple of watch specialists and it's a unique business with certain skills required.

It does not appear to scream money laundering because he's not asked for a refund for so long but who knows.

He’s taking the piss until she gets fed up and refunds it. So he can’t be accused of asking for a refund.

I would pay for secure storage for a a couple of months and advise him that the item should be collected from storage by X date. That removes the burglary risk at least. Or send it to his workplace as pp suggested.

You’re missing my point - she cannot resell the item as it is legally no longer hers to sell! The title transferred upon receipt of funds and was acknowledged when she dispatched it.

If she were to sell it now, she’d be breaking the law. She can only sell if it she can establish in law that the goods have, effectively been abandoned and then claim title. So I repeat. She needs legal advice.