Royal Mail and buymobilephones.net major problem! help!

lisgil

Hey Guys

This is a rather long message so apologies in advance!

This all started when my husband ordered a mobile phone on the 22nd Nov from buymobilephones.net. This was delivered by Royal Mail I think last Wed, however we were not in at the time. So we had a note put through our door with a tick to say that the package needed signing and then a note on the back saying it had been left with our designated neighbour number 152. There are a few problems with this – it needed signing for so should not have been left with anyone; we never designated a neighbour to receive our packages; and even if we did that would not be our neighbours at 152. We have not any problems with them but they never answer their door in case it’s the bailiffs knocking and have been known for punching several of our neighbours in the past.

Anyway, my husband went round three days in a row to get this phone from them but, as usual, they did not answer. He put a note through the door and the next day the neighbour came round. He claims he has never taken a package for us as he is at work during the day. Now I know as I at currently at home most of the time that he is home some of the time during the day as I hear him, however that’s not to say that he was in on this day.

So we phone Royal Mail. The manager says he needs to speak to the postman in question and will phone us back. No call. So we phone again the next day. That manager is off and another one says he has to also speak to the postman. So my husband spoke to him this morning and it turns out the package was signed for and the man who signed for it wore an Aldi uniform (I have no idea where my neighbour works). The postman holds to the fact that he left it with number 152 (oh and on a side note when approached about the fact that it should not have been left with anyone the manager said they were ‘doing us a favour’!). Royal Mail then suggested we phone the police.

In the mean time we contacted buymobilephones.net. They said they cannot do anything without a crime reference number and also advise we phone the police (after laughing at me, may I add!).

So we no phone, are currently paying two contracts and unless we get the police onto our thug of a neighbour there is nothing that can be done. I am in shock and pretty upset by the whole thing! Needless to say as I am home alone most of the time, the last thing we want is to upset a neighbour who is likely to threaten us, or worse. In my mind we paid buymobilephones.net to deliver our item and they have failed. In the same token Royal Mail have majorly cocked up (sorry!) by leaving an item that needed signing for with pretty much anybody! Does anybody have any idea what we can do? Surely as consumers we have rights and there must be something we can do without involving the police. We don’t even know if an item has been stolen, as far as we are aware it just hasn’t been delivered. Please help!

Lisa

stephmcuk

I am terrible with advice like this but if i was in your shoes, i would go back to the neighbor and say i know u didn't sign for the parcel but was anyone in your house that might of on the day and if he says no then say that royal mail and the phone company have told you to report it stolen so since the postman says he left it with you the police might want to speak to you and i thought i best warn you.Maybe it then might just turn up then.

I know that's rubbish advice but am not very good with peoples rights, to me it sounds like royal mail are in the wrong and i would keep perusing it with them

simonSE15

the person who delivered it to the wrong address (i.e. Royal Mail) is clearly the one at fault here.

if your neighbour has already lied to you about signing for the phone I wouldnt bother asking them again.

report it to the police and get a crime number. and get the line cancelled if you can so aldi man doesnt run up a load of calls on your bill!

catmiaow

simonSE15 wrote: »

the person who delivered it to the wrong address (i.e. Royal Mail) is clearly the one at fault here.

if your neighbour has already lied to you about signing for the phone I wouldnt bother asking them again.

report it to the police and get a crime number. and get the line cancelled if you can so aldi man doesnt run up a load of calls on your bill!

I agree with you. The police will go around there and ask where people work, if anyone in that house works for Aldi that is dodgy for a start.
Similar thing happened to me thousands of pounds worth of equipment delivered to any house and they put a card through the door saying delivery at number 19. It turned out it was at number 22! Thats similar, makes them look so professional!

soolin

A phone will have been sent special delivery so if you can get the tracking number from the mobile company you can check the signature online. Special is also supposed ot be left only at the correct address, so once you confirm it is special I would phone Royal Mail again.

custardy

if it was a special(and as said phones usually are)
im surprised at both the postie and manager!

catmiaow

I have two occasions where special delivery items were left at my neighbours house, lucky their honest!

custardy

as a postie i would never have done anything with a special bar deliver as addressed or card and return to DO
a postie in my own office is under investigation by RM's IB(investigation bureau ) for an SD item he says he left with a neighbour
most likely he will be sacked.IB may even follow a criminal case for theft

lisgil

Hi Everyone and thank you for your replies. We have sent a strongly worded email to buymobilephones.net (tried to call but was caller number 14 and it took five mins to get down to 13 - a 5p a min thats a pricey wait!!).

Here's what it said:

"I refer to the above order placed with you on 22.11.2008.

The item has not been received.

Althopugh the contract of carriage is bewtween you and Royal Mail, I have contacted Royal Mail for information on the delivery.

Royal mail have advised that they have delivered the item to "a neighbour", but they cannot tell us where or provide a signature for the item.

It is your responsibility to ensure that goods are delivered correctly and to the address given. The carriage contract is your responsibility and therefore the non delivery of the item is also your responsibility. It is incumbent upon you to resolve this problem with Royal Mail to prove delivery to me at the delivery address given to you.
If you cannot provide this proof of delivery then you are required to either make a new despatch or the item or refund my payment for the item you have failed to deliver.

If you do not act on this message I will immediatly take action against you under the sale of goods act and hold you in breach of contract for non delivery of the goods paid for. Any cost of such an action against you will be for your account and will be processed for collection through the small claims court simultaneously.

I look forward to your immediate response."

Now I know it is really Royal Mail's fault but if we can ANYBODY to do something it would help! I will also be writing a complaint to Royal Mail. We are going to try a few other houses on street to see if anyone else has accepted the delivery but I would expect anyone else to let us know. I thinik the best thing is to advise these neighbours that we have no choice but to inform the police and make out that we dont think its them but its all the royal mail's fault and we have no other choice. Thats if they answer the door that is! I'm so peed off about this!

But like I said, thank you for your replies. :T

stephmcuk

Goodluck!!

custardy

keep a hold of the P739(red card) for evidence