Packages returned due to “insufficient address” require the buyer or seller to pay additional postage to resend the item.
Here’s a shipping problem that’s bound to pop up for any eBay seller at some point–a package that gets returned to sender due to “insufficient address”.
An “insufficient address”, according the USPS definition, is mail “without [a] number, street, box number, route number, or geographical section of city or city and state omitted and correct address not known.”
Once you receive the returned package, contact the buyer immediately and ask them to verify their address.
Watch out for new buyers with “insufficient addresses”
Packaged returned due to “insufficient address” more commonly come from new buyers or buyer with low feedback. If a new buyer experiences one or several insufficient address problems, then they’ll likely fix the address for future orders.
Who pays the shipping cost to resend the item?
Ideally, the buyer should pay the shipping cost to resend if they one who screwed up the address. If the the seller inputs the address incorrectly, omitting the unit number for example, then naturally the seller is at fault and should pay to resend the item.
Just because the buyer should pay the extra shipping charge doesn’t necessarily mean you should charge them. If the shipping charge is relatively cheap in relation to the value of the item, consider absorbing the extra cost and just paying the shipping charge yourself. Your buyer will be happier and you won’t have to wait around for them to send the extra money. I once had a $24 order returned to me due to insufficient address. The buyer provided the missing unit number and I reshipped the order the next day. Shipping only cost $2.04. Paying for the shipping cost yourself can save time and also make your customers happier.
Offer to keep the item and refund the buyer
Maybe the buyer doesn’t want the item anymore. Maybe the buyer doesn’t want to pay for you to reship the item. Whatever the reason, you can give the buyer an out and accept the “insufficient address” item as a return. Either refund the full amount or the full amount (less the shipping cost). Make sure you tell the buyer whether you’re refunding the shipping charge or not.