Three different postcodes

[weirddolls]

Sold an item tonight for £15. I went to print the postage label and the postcode given by the buyer was, as an example, XX12 3DE. Ebay flagged it as being incorrect and gave me a different postcode, XX15 8BG. I messaged the buyer asking if XX12 3DE was the correct postcode and they came back saying their postcode is XX12 9BC. So I've got three different postcodes, all the same area and very close to each other too on Google Maps, I think two of them are neighbouring streets and the other is a couple of miles away. Buyer joined today and has no feedback. I take it that this is a scam! Do I just cancel the order? This is my first time having a dodgy buyer!

I would message saying you cannot send the item as the address is not verified. So you can offer that they can collect in person, or you cancel the sale.

Amanda may be right, although you could also ask them to get it all sorted with ebay.

Ebay allows you to have a billing postcode that is different from the address you dispatch to. This is a pain, happens easily if people update on the app (I'm told). Anyway, you have to send it to the billing address, and need to explain that to them. Onus is on them to get the entire address including postcode correct on the ebay system.

Do all messaging thru ebay, ultra polite, explain that this faff is for their protection.

argh, no edit button, you must send it to their address listed for DISPATCH not billing address.

I get postcode errors all the time - usually not an issue, so not necessarily a scam by the buyer. When you put the address in to google what postcode comes up for it?

The postage label is 1 Example Street XX12 3DE. These two don't match up. Ebay suggested XX15 8BG for Example Street and this is the correct postcode for that address, and I expected the buyer to reply saying that either yes, the postcode suggested by Ebay is right, or that no, the postage address has the right postcode even though Google says otherwise. Instead they replied with a third postcode which isn't the right one for the address and brings up a completely different street than on the postage label.

Use the Royal Mail postcode finder. Input the street address and town and it will tell you the postcode.

https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode

I imagine going back and forth repeatedly with buyer (on ebay messaging system) until they confirm the entire address, including name of recipient, house number, street name, postcode. Then they need to update ebay records with the exact same info. When all of that is clearly documented and changed, you are finally safe to dispatch.

This

Its ridiculous that ebay still let people upload the wrong address. I would just cancel the sale now and refund them.
Or you can tell them if they refuse to update their ebay records with the correct, verifiable address within 24 hours, you will cancel the sale on the grounds there's an issue with the address.

I would be asking the Seller and Ebay to come together to sort it out, and ask Ebay to confirm by email where it should be posted. If not then cancel the sale as it's not worth the risk.

Use the address ebay eventually gives rather than the seller. Because if it all goes tits up Ebay will be the ones having to foot the bill. IMO

Cancel sale and refund them. Too much hassel.