eBay, etc. General Question/Answer Thread

[jchen815]

I have a brand new Ebayer (0 feedback, account made TODAY) who purchased an item. She paid right away but the address was invalid. I asked her to update in paypal but it doesn't update in the ebay shipping label. If I ask her to message me, this should be okay, correct?

I do have some reservations selling to a brand new Ebayer, but its an inexpensive item so I will take the chance ($14)

 

[BeenBurned]

I have a brand new Ebayer (0 feedback, account made TODAY) who purchased an item. She paid right away but the address was invalid. I asked her to update in paypal but it doesn't update in the ebay shipping label. If I ask her to message me, this should be okay, correct?

I do have some reservations selling to a brand new Ebayer, but its an inexpensive item so I will take the chance ($14)

I think you're asking whether an ebay message requesting an address change will protect you. You will lose protection if you ship to a completely different address.

There are a few options.
1. On the paypal payment details page, does it show the correct address? If so, you can print the shipping label directly through the PP payment.
2. What's "invalid" about the address? If it's minor differences like "St. vs. Street" or "Apt. 1" on a different line from the street address, that's done to conform to USPS standards.

 

[jchen815]

I think you're asking whether an ebay message requesting an address change will protect you. You will lose protection if you ship to a completely different address.

There are a few options.
1. On the paypal payment details page, does it show the correct address? If so, you can print the shipping label directly through the PP payment.
2. What's "invalid" about the address? If it's minor differences like "St. vs. Street" or "Apt. 1" on a different line from the street address, that's done to conform to USPS standards.

I really appreciate the help! That is exactly what I am asking. So I will not be protected if I update the address via the message center. The paypal payment and Ebay seller addresses are both the same.

So the address is a university, it says
ABC University
City, State 12345

Usually even with a University, you would need to put a specific street number and address (123 main st, ABC university) or at least a dorm/room number I would assume? this is what I am worried about. There is no street number or street listed just the name of the University.

Thanks for responding BeenBurned!!

 

[Catbird9]

I really appreciate the help! That is exactly what I am asking. So I will not be protected if I update the address via the message center. The paypal payment and Ebay seller addresses are both the same.

So the address is a university, it says
ABC University
City, State 12345

Usually even with a University, you would need to put a specific street number and address (123 main st, ABC university) or at least a dorm/room number I would assume? this is what I am worried about. There is no street number or street listed just the name of the University.

Thanks for responding BeenBurned!!

That address would worry me too. Did the buyer message you with a different address? If so, tell them they will need to correct it in both their PayPal and eBay accounts before you can ship. Otherwise you'll lose seller protection. You may need to cancel the sale and relist so buyer can purchase it again after they have corrected the address.

 

[jchen815]

That address would worry me too. Did the buyer message you with a different address? If so, tell them they will need to correct it in both their PayPal and eBay accounts before you can ship. Otherwise you'll lose seller protection. You may need to cancel the sale and relist so buyer can purchase it again after they have corrected the address.

The seller did not request the address change. I was about to print a shipping label when I get the red invalid for her address. I kindly messaged her to fix in PayPal and eBay. She stated she did. I'm not sure how long this change takes but I just wanted to be proactive and ask questions [emoji4]

 

[BeenBurned]

Yup, unless it's a very tiny university, I would think more information is needed. Did you try to print the label in order to get the "invalid address" message? It's likely that even with an incomplete address, the buyer name and school name would probably be adequate that someone in the university mailroom would be able to get it to her.

That said, although you would lose protection, if you have a full address from the buyer, for a $14 item, I would probably risk it and edit the address when preparing the shipping label.

 

[jchen815]

Yup, unless it's a very tiny university, I would think more information is needed. Did you try to print the label in order to get the "invalid address" message? It's likely that even with an incomplete address, the buyer name and school name would probably be adequate that someone in the university mailroom would be able to get it to her.

That said, although you would lose protection, if you have a full address from the buyer, for a $14 item, I would probably risk it and edit the address when preparing the shipping label.

It's Tulane University (quite large). I took a screenshot

If it was a more expensive item, I wouldn't even think about selling it. But since it's not too much, I may just take your advice BeenBurned

 

[BeenBurned]

It's Tulane University (quite large). I took a screenshot View attachment 3541139

If it was a more expensive item, I wouldn't even think about selling it. But since it's not too much, I may just take your advice BeenBurned

My advice wouldn't be to address it as shown, though. (In fact, you're unable to get a label with an incomplete address.) But should the buyer send her full address, my point was for $14, I'd ship.

 

[holiday123]

It's Tulane University (quite large). I took a screenshot View attachment 3541139

If it was a more expensive item, I wouldn't even think about selling it. But since it's not too much, I may just take your advice BeenBurned

Not sure about the address part, but 2lbs is over the max weight for first class mail isn't it? Maybe that's the hiccup even though it's flagging the address.

 

[BeenBurned]

Not sure about the address part, but 2lbs is over the max weight for first class mail isn't it? Maybe that's the hiccup even though it's flagging the address.

First class domestic weight limit is 1 lb.

 

[jchen815]

Not sure about the address part, but 2lbs is over the max weight for first class mail isn't it? Maybe that's the hiccup even though it's flagging the address.

First class domestic weight limit is 1 lb.

you ladies are correct, the item pre-populated with that weight, the actual weight is under 1 lb. I changed the weight, but it unfortunately still says the same thing. I messaged the buyer again, letting her know that I don't see any new addresses.

 

[whateve]

I shipped a first class package on November 27. USPS's estimated delivery date was December 1. On December 1, the tracking said "in transit to destination." It hasn't updated since then. I opened a search request with USPS on the 6th after speaking with the buyer and my local post office. I believe ebay's estimated delivery date has passed and my buyer can open a INR case at any time. I don't want to make my buyer wait longer than she should. How long should I wait before I assume the package won't be found and issue a refund?

 

[BeenBurned]

I shipped a first class package on November 27. USPS's estimated delivery date was December 1. On December 1, the tracking said "in transit to destination." It hasn't updated since then. I opened a search request with USPS on the 6th after speaking with the buyer and my local post office. I believe ebay's estimated delivery date has passed and my buyer can open a INR case at any time. I don't want to make my buyer wait longer than she should. How long should I wait before I assume the package won't be found and issue a refund?

While it's honorable of you to understand that the buyer should receive either her purchase or her refund, I might ask whether she'd mind waiting another week. Although it's still a bit early for the "Christmas rush," the delay can probably be attributed to the season.

If you trust that the buyer is honest enough to let you know that (or if) she receives the item even if not scanned as delivered, you can issue the refund and hope that she repays you should it eventually arrive.

 

[whateve]

While it's honorable of you to understand that the buyer should receive either her purchase or her refund, I might ask whether she'd mind waiting another week. Although it's still a bit early for the "Christmas rush," the delay can probably be attributed to the season.

If you trust that the buyer is honest enough to let you know that (or if) she receives the item even if not scanned as delivered, you can issue the refund and hope that she repays you should it eventually arrive.

Thanks!

 

[noshoepolish]

I shipped a first class package on November 27. USPS's estimated delivery date was December 1. On December 1, the tracking said "in transit to destination." It hasn't updated since then. I opened a search request with USPS on the 6th after speaking with the buyer and my local post office. I believe ebay's estimated delivery date has passed and my buyer can open a INR case at any time. I don't want to make my buyer wait longer than she should. How long should I wait before I assume the package won't be found and issue a refund?

One one of the forum I read, a member had posted his wife works for USPS. In their contract with Amazon, they have to do all of Amazon's packages first as far as sorting and everything else goes. It is a very lucrative ageeemwnt. It unfortunately bogs down the rest of the mail.