Buyer received package, but item is missing.

cyberstar

The buyer claims that the item I’ve sent was missing. The package was received and selotaped but there was nothing inside. I know I definitely sealed the item inside securely selotaped. And now she/he claims I am responsible, demanding for a refund otherwise I’ll be reprted to ebay and also get a bad feedback. It seems that there is nothing I can do. So I’ll be losing my item and my money.

The way I see it, there are 2 possibilities.

1. The buyer did receive the item, but lied about it so he/she can get their money back.
2. Somebody working at the post sorting offices decided to open the package, and taped it back.

But something dosen’t feel right, if someone at the sorting office did open the package, then the selotape can cannot be resealed back, unless it was sealed with new tape. If they are prepared to steal my item, then why would they bother looking for new tape to reseal it securely. Why not just throw the package away.

s1m_2

Can you claim on postal insurance?

cyberstar

The item wasnt registered post? So I assume I can't

Fur_coat_&_no_knickers

This happened to me as a buyer last week. It was a piece of jewellery and it was sent recorded delivery. The postman knocked on though and said that it looks like the contents are missing and the P.O had attached a letter saying to phone a number and get a claim form. As the item won was only about 99p i didnt bother , i instead emailed the seller who i felt anyway had wrapped the item unsecurely in tissue paper but in a large envelope. so the item was thrown about inside it. Luckily she refunded me the item and postage costs immediately.

But yes it is fustrating, was the item of much value ?

Whats the buyers feedback like? I think its just one of those things that happens and the best thing you can do is refund and put it out of your mind IMO


HTH

soolin

Loss of items like this is called tampering and the WHICH consumer magazine carried a whole article about it last year. One poor chap who bought and sold books routinely had his packages slit open to see what titles were inside and sometimes they disappeared and sometimes they were retaped and delivered.

Only last week a recorded delivery item addressed to my husband in a large jiffy bag was opened with a cut just large enough to pull the items out, and I have phoned RM to complain and they just say they take these complaints seriously....and that was it.

Several of my items sent a couple of years ago were also opened en route and on that occasion after supplying the RM with photos I was advised to buy tamper proof packaging. I now use those grey heavy plastic sacks that can't be opened accidentally so if they do arrive open it is easier to prove tampering.

Claim from the Royal mail, they will pay out as there is even a category on the claim form to do so. Somewhere on that form it ghives the option of claiming as packing open and item/s missing, or something.

Soo

hjb123

Was the transaction via Paypal? Was it a highish amount? Regardless of the amount tell her to send you the packaging back and then you would be able to see if it was tampered with at all! She would have to pay the return postage (a very small bit seeing as there was supposedly nothing in it) which you dont have to refund (unless you really want to) and then you can choose whether to refund her or not! But at least if you have seen the packaging you may be able to tell if it has be tampered with