Advice please - item lost in post

tafbabe

Hi everyone,

I need a little advice. I sold something on ebay, not a huge item, less than £3 incl postage. I posted it on Monday to the buyer, 1st class and got a proof of postage.

Buyer said they haven't received the item and has 100% feedback so I've no reason to doubt him.

What's the process? Should I refund him and then take it up with Royal Mail. Will Royal Mail refund me what I'm due. What happens in these cases? And if I should refund the buyer - when should I do this. It was posted almost 1 weeks ago.

Thanks very much.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

The Royal Mail don't class an item as missing until 15 working days have passed. It's best if you refund the buyer and then claim from the Royal Mail.

tafbabe

Thanks, should I refund the buyer immediately?

Do you think it's likely that the item will show up within the 15 days?

Will Royal Mail pay me what I've has to refund?

MyBigToe_2

if you only have proof of postage, and didnt pay for any insurance, they wont refund anything.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Firstly I would ask the buyer if they mind waiting until perhaps the middle of the week to see if the item does arrive.

I think Royal Mail refund the cost of the item minus postage and packaging.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

MyBigToe wrote:

if you only have proof of postage, and didnt pay for any insurance, they wont refund anything.

First class mail is covered up to £32 with a COP.

methekidsandthecat

Hi

Just thought I would let you kow my experiences when this happened to me....

I had sold a scout shirt and posted it in good faith and also got a proof of postage. When buyer contacted me about not receiving it, I emailed Royal Mail and followed their instructions to claim. Sent proof of postage with claim.

Most important thing is to keep the buyer informed of the process. I emailed a photocopy of the proof of postage and also warned him that the PO has stated is would take several weeks to arrive. I emailed buyer again to state that I had received cheque, think it took about 3 weeks.

I returned only cost of item, I had spent postage/packing when sent out as he could see from the proof of postage. He was happy with this.

I hope this helps, it is worth claiming.

jenniferpa

While methekidsamdthecat's buyer might have been happy, other posts on this forum have indicated that you are required by ebay to refund the whole amount, even though you can't get it back from RM.

MyBigToe_2

razorbladekisses wrote:

First class mail is covered up to £32 with a COP.

really?
So what is the benefit of paying for signed-for?
Yes, we know if it has arrived, but what does that matter if it is insured?

bleugh

the only benefit of signed for is to show it's been delivered

there is no other advantage!

Hintza

razorbladekisses wrote:

Firstly I would ask the buyer if they mind waiting until perhaps the middle of the week to see if the item does arrive.

I would agree with this try to extend it toeither Tuesday or Wednesday ask the buyer to contact sorting office to check its not there. Woiuld it fit through the letter box? Assuming it would then you should refund; if it wouldn't I would insist that buyer checks sorting office and ask them to check garden shed neighbours etc. I gave a seller a hard time once and item was in garden shed all along.