royal mail - stolen watch

Premier_2

You're being scammed!

If someone was expecting to receive a £250 watch in the post, they'd sure as heck notice they had an empty jiffy bag without even opening it. That would probably alert them to carefully examine the package before signing for it.

If a postie was wanting to nick the watch, he wouldn't jeopardise his job and possibly be caught bey the police by delivering an open envelope - better just not to deliver anything.

It is true that Royal Mail do accidentally damage items in the sorting office, or packages burst open, but when that occurs it is usually rebagged by Royal Mail with an apology letter.

I would tell the buyer to take his evidence (the envelope) to his police station and make a statement to them that his item was stolen in the post and provide you a crime number.

Also don't offer the buyer a refund. Make the buyer file an ebay/paypal complaint, and then put in your tracking number confirming he received it.
When he complains the item was not in the envelope, make him return the envelope to you recorded delivery - tell him you need that envelope as you will be filing a claim with RM. If the condition of the envelope doesn't stack up with his claims, report the attempted scam to the police.

I suspect with these reasonable requests, this con artist will probably just move onto some other unsuspecting seller rather than bring unwanted attention to himself (from ebay, the police & Royal Mail)

soolin

steviebabes wrote: »

Winning a paypal dispute with this value could be tricky. Items over £150 must be signed for and the signature must be available online. If the buyer signed for it legibly and RM get it up on the website then he could get away with it.

Actually you are quite right. In a paypal dispute for items over £150 paypal require an online copy of the signature, without that the seller will lose automatically. However even recorded should give a signature online, so that might not be a problem yet.

There was also a thread very recently, I am sure it was on here where in the middle of another thread someone mentioned they were the buyer in a situation like this and had won a paypal dispute because they were prepared to argue with paypal that they had received only a parcel, but it was actually empty. I can't even begin to remember where I saw that post though.

I also think the money hold bit is going to complicate matters, a new seller or an established seller with no history of high end goods (which is why funds were held) the wrong postal method used and a paypal chargeback..I have a horrible feeling that this could all go wrong for the seller.

Personally I would be working with the buyer now to see what can be done, get him to save the packaging and contact Royal mail complaints immediately and tell them that your mail has been tampered with, and get them to help.It does seem odd though that s imple recorded delivery item is actually tampered with, how would they know this was a valuable item for a one off theft. If it wasn't a one off theft that that would actually help as Royal mail should already be aware they have a problem.

soolin

One other thing, did it go to the address given by paypal in the 'OK tos end' bit on the payment page. I just want to rule out a hijacked or intercepted purchase.

mookie

I agree call the buyers bluff, ask them to retain the envelope as you have contacted Royal Mail and the Police and it will be needed for inspection.

I also dont believe Royal mail would have known this was a high value item and picked it out to steal. The buyer pointing out it was posted by the wrong method shows he may be more familiar with this than you think and is quite possible he is a scammer. I would place my bets on it being a dodgy buyer more than a dishonest postman.

custardy

colony wrote: »

Actually, I've heard special delivery packets are actually targeted because they are much more likely to contain valuable items.

I find it hard to believe a postie would rob from a recorded packet. Yeah call his bluff, what have you got to lose?

:rolleyes:

who told you that then?

custardy

Premier wrote: »

You're being scammed!

If someone was expecting to receive a £250 watch in the post, they'd sure as heck notice they had an empty jiffy bag without even opening it. That would probably alert them to carefully examine the package before signing for it.

If a postie was wanting to nick the watch, he wouldn't jeopardise his job and possibly be caught bey the police by delivering an open envelope - better just not to deliver anything.

It is true that Royal Mail do accidentally damage items in the sorting office, or packages burst open, but when that occurs it is usually rebagged by Royal Mail with an apology letter.

I would tell the buyer to take his evidence (the envelope) to his police station and make a statement to them that his item was stolen in the post and provide you a crime number.

Also don't offer the buyer a refund. Make the buyer file an ebay/paypal complaint, and then put in your tracking number confirming he received it.
When he complains the item was not in the envelope, make him return the envelope to you recorded delivery - tell him you need that envelope as you will be filing a claim with RM. If the condition of the envelope doesn't stack up with his claims, report the attempted scam to the police.

I suspect with these reasonable requests, this con artist will probably just move onto some other unsuspecting seller rather than bring unwanted attention to himself (from ebay, the police & Royal Mail)

dont you ever buy a few things from ebay?
i often ont know what each pacjage is until i open it

colony

custardy wrote: »

:rolleyes:

who told you that then?

I honestly couldn't tell you! :rolleyes:

ts_aly2000

Special Delivery items WON'T be targeted.

Our next door neighbour is a postie, and says that the SD packets have to be signed for at each stage throughout the internal delivery process. Apparently it's one area that RM are hot on internally.

Recorded signed for though, it's not even worth the money.

I really do feel for you OP, I really do. The thing is, I WANT the small sellers to keep on selling things on eBay, as it means that the oddities that I like buying will be there.

billyfenlon

thanks for all the help, i have just been sent this message from the buyer asking for a refund.

"Hi, i spoke to the post office regarding the fact the package was opened. They take this very seriously and will investigate it fully.

The will want the packaging and say you will be able to claim.

i thought it was best to report the fact it was opened. It does not matter that i signed for it either. I was concerned about this fact.

I suppose the best thing is to refund my payment and i hope you can claim the full amount.

If you need to contact me then you have my home number or my mobile 077xxxxxxxx.

I will wait for your call/email and send the packaging back to you.

if there is anything you need me to do dont hesitate to ask or get in touch.

Cheers."

soolin

If he's bluffing then he's good. That sounds like someone who has started to expolre the possibilities and you need to keep right on top of this.

Start all your enquries now.