GUY SOLD ITEM ON CAROUSELL FOR $100+, RECEIVED MONEY BUT THEN BUYER WENT MIA

Sold items on carousell, received payment but buyer doesn’t want to collect for months

Initially say collect in 2 weeks, then every fortnight add another 2 weeks until MIA. Last month he finally replied but never collect and MIA again. In total, i have held onto the items for 5months.

I had said in the chat if he doesnt collected by mid sept, id treat it as abandoned. Unfortunately he was last seen 1month ago and didnt even read this message.

Just wondering if I would have the legal right to resell the items or do whatever I want with it. The items are worth a few hundred and I dont want to “steal” but I also don’t know how long the stuff has to sit rent free in my house for.

Netizens’ comments

1. Re-list the item for sale and keep his money until it’s sold off, then refund it to him. That way you won’t be at any risk of making a loss at any time.
2. Congrats on the free money ?
3. Give him a deadline to respond and collect, send him reminders and if he doesn’t respond just keep the money.
4. I mean if you want a clear conscious then just refund his money, I guess.
   Go ahead and tell him you will be selling the item as the wait is too long and you can refund his money.
   Other way is keep the money and resell your item, then if he actually comes back and ask, then refund his money lol.
   Third option is to diam diam and just sell, he continues to Mia then you get double the money lol.
5. Here’s another option: refund him and move on. Something smells fishy…
6. You have no obligation to hold it for him indefinitely. You can sell them again, there’s no legal right or wrong for these kinds of private transactions between 2 individuals.
7. This happened to me before, I was gonna wait 1 year before reselling and give him fair notice every month on the app (or whatever means of comms you have with him). Fortunately (or unfortunately) he suddenly showed up 9 months after the deal, saying he was stuck in Malaysia due to the Covid lockdown etc.
   I guess if he showed up after the 1 year thing, I would just have refunded whatever he paid if the item is no longer available for sale.
8. Lol. I had one item also like this. Buyer paid me and MIA for a long time and finally arranged collection. Then MIA again. I’m still holding to the item which I treat as sold already