What happens if buyer refused delivery of parcel?

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

So I had a buyer bought an item a few weeks ago. I sent very promptly as they wanted ASAP. However, they then said parcel had not been delivered. Looking at tracking, they'd tried to deliver and left card.

So I explained to buyer how the system works (e.g. if you miss delivery take card to post office pick up parcel) but they haven't done this. Tracking shows that Royal Mail tried to deliver 3 times.

Tracking then shows "delivery attempted - refused by addressee".

What happens now? Will the parcel come back to me and if so do I have to refund the buyer? Who pays initial postage costs?

You will have to refund the buyer in full including the original postage costs I'm afraid.

Did you put a return address on the parcel? If so it will be returned to you.

Thanks Lottie - yes I did. I was assuming that I would refund the cost of the item once I've got it back, but it's a little unfair I think that I end up paying the original postage if they refuse delivery.

I was trying to find out from Ebay itself but it wasn't clear. Will wait and see what happens.

Unfair yes, but unfortunately ebay rules.
Good you put a return address on it thought, you should have it back with you shortly.

Also Royal Mail don't charge for parcels being returned back to you from the depot due to non pick up/ unable to deliver etc. So you wont be charged at the door another £3.95 for it getting sent back to you.
It gets returned to addressee for free. Hope this advice helps too.

Thanks both. I'll let you know, I'll assume it will take a while to get back to me.

Shouldn't be too long. IME within. Week.

So I have parcel back. Contacted buyer. They say they didn't refuse the parcel, they were just out when it was delivered and couldn't quite get it together to collect from the Post Office. They want me to resend it.

I don't really want to do this as it would cost me the postage cost again, and what's to say they'll be able to get their act together this time and it won't just come back again?

Arrrggghhhh.

I know. I'm just a bit over the whole thing now, it's been going on for a month!

I'm tempted just to give a full refund stating "seller just can't be arsed with this any more". Is that an option?

I'd just refund I think, then block the buyer

Yes I'm going to do that. Contacted Ebay who will refund my Ebay fees and say that if buyer leaves negative feedback then they will remove it for me as it's not my fault.

I will block them too, not that it matters as I have nothing else for sale at the moment. Whole thing reminds me why I don't use Ebay that much - when it works smoothly it's great but it can also be a massive pain in the bum.