Ebay item paid for but not collected: what to do about it?

[tggzzz]

I sold an item on fleabay and the purchaser paid promptly. The purchases seems reasonable, but we have been unable to arrange a date for collection. I doubt that the purchaser will collect within a reasonable time, so I'd like to find a way of selling the item to someone else.

So, what's the best way to proceed?
Objectives: we all get all our money back, and neither of our reputations are damaged?

[tom66]

Contact the buyer with an ultimatum:

"Please arrange to collect your item within 14 days or it will become necessary to charge you storage fees of £10 per day thereafter.  Should you no longer wish to purchase the item, please notify me before this date so that a full refund can be arranged and the item can be resold to another interested buyer."

[magic]

Check the TOS or ask a lawyer. I can't believe that you are the first having such problem or that you have an obligation to store the item indefinitely.
Then inform the buyer what's going to happen if he doesn't show up.

[greenpossum]

Have you looked at the eBay forums? Here's one that suggests initiating a cancellation request. In any case you should ask eBay.

https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Archive-Seller-Central/Buyer-has-paid-but-not-collected-what-can-yo-do/td-p/2836837

[Halcyon]

Just open up a case with ebay. They will refund the payment and allow you to re-list the item. Similar when someone just refuses to pay.