What would you do? Online purchase issue

[disneysteve]

About 3-4 weeks ago, I bought a textbook for DD on half.com. Classes were scheduled to start on 1/23 and I ordered it in plenty of time to have it for her.

All of her other books (all purchased at the same time) arrived and that one did not. I went in and checked the tracking info and got an error message that the item could not be located. I waited a couple of days and checked again only to get the same message. I then contacted the seller. He checked the tracking and got the same message. He told me it must have gotten lost in transit and issued me a full refund. DD went and bought the book at the school bookstore since classes were starting and she needed to have it.

Fast forward to last week. The "lost" copy of the book arrives in my mail. I send an email to the seller to let him know and ask how he would like me to handle it. I no longer need that copy. I told him I'd be happy to return it to him but felt that he should pay the return postage. I have yet to hear back from him.

I'm curious what everyone thinks. Do you think I should pony up the return postage or do you think that's his responsibility? It isn't his fault that the item got delayed but it isn't my fault either. I'm not really sure what the right answer is here so I thought I'd crowd-source the question.

[Nutria]

This is one of those bad luck, no one's fault scenarios where you'll have to pony up the s/h fee. But honestly, in 2016 that's going to be a pittance for USPS Ground.

[Like2Plan]

Does half.com have a policy for such occurrences?
Does the seller have any recourse to get a refund on the shipping costs from the shipping company (since it was lost/extremely delayed)?

I don't know. Neither one of you did anything wrong.

[97guns]

I just finished a transaction on eBay, a $10 item that I sold and tracking never showed any movement, seller contacted me after 8 days and I shipped a a replacement the next day, today he received 2 of the items and offered to send one back if I pay return shipping and I told him to just keep it because it's only a $10 item.

My mom's favorite saying is sometimes you win some and sometimes you loose some. Hopefully they even out but I like to win more than I loose

[disneysteve]

I told him to just keep it because it's only a $10 item.

That makes sense but this is a $65 item.

[disneysteve]

This is one of those bad luck, no one's fault scenarios where you'll have to pony up the s/h fee. But honestly, in 2016 that's going to be a pittance for USPS Ground.

It will cost me about $5 to ship it back. It's not a huge amount of money but we already had to pay an extra $20 to get the book at the bookstore when this one was reported as lost in transit so it just aggravates the problem.

[creditcardfree]

It isn't your fault. And while I agree it wasn't the fault of the seller, I believe the customer shouldn't bear the costs to rectify the situation. It seems it would be in sellers best interest to pay since the book is worth plenty to be able to sell again.

[disneysteve]

It isn't your fault. And while I agree it wasn't the fault of the seller, I believe the customer shouldn't bear the costs to rectify the situation. It seems it would be in sellers best interest to pay since the book is worth plenty to be able to sell again.

That was my line of thinking.

As of yet, I haven't gotten a response from the seller. I'll give him more time and maybe send him another message.

[FLA]

I agree with creditcardfree, especially since it sounds like you ordered other text books from him, you're a good customer and he should want your repeat business.

If he never emails you back and the charge is reversed on your CC, I'd hang onto it for maybe 6 mos at the very most and then I would sell it. The onus is on him here.

[sblatner]

Is the $5 postage for media mail? If not, check into that. If so, that is the cheapest you will find. I would probably send it back or give it away as I wouldn't want it hanging around the house!

[97guns]

Since he's already refunded in full you've done the right thing by offering to send it back, if he doesn't respond I would chalk it up as him not caring to receive it back, you got yourself a free copy, do with it as you please. Sell it to offset the higher cost of the book she's using

[disneysteve]

Is the $5 postage for media mail?

Yes, the media mail rate is $4.72. The book weighs nearly 5 pounds.

Since he's already refunded in full you've done the right thing by offering to send it back, if he doesn't respond I would chalk it up as him not caring to receive it back, you got yourself a free copy, do with it as you please. Sell it to offset the higher cost of the book she's using

That was just what I was thinking.

[msomnipotent]

Maybe he filed a claim with the shipper and is waiting to hear back? I would send him one more message in a few days and ask him if he wants it shipped back in exchange for $5 in shipping costs, but you need to hear back from him within x amount of days or it will be donated. I wouldn't pay for shipping if I am the customer.

[bjl584]

While no ones fault, I'd say that the burden to rectify the situation should be on the seller.

He can go to UPS and issue you a call tag. It will be emailed to you. Just stick it on the box and drop it off at a UPS pick up location. Easy. Or he can go the post office route and save a few more dollars.

[97guns]

I wouldn't bother sending another message, one and done is my opinion. Your hands are clean with this transaction