Advice please

Leothecat

Back in Nov 04, I had an auction which sold as normal and I posted the goods via Standard Parcels on 1.12.04. I had not received feed back by 19.12.04 so I contacted the buyer and asked him to leave it as appropriate. He came back and said item not received but not to worry as with Christmas it was probably just held up in post. I thought nothing more about it as I was busy due to Xmas. Received another email from him on 14.1.05 (over 6 weeks after goods sent) saying goods not received and that he had contacted post office who told him that they are probably in the system somewhere.
Can I just ask, what is normal in this situation? I have the proof of postage (sent Standard Parcels) - do other sellers simply pass the proof of postage details onto the buyer and let them investigate themselves? I offered insurance @ £1 but the buyer did not take this up.
Any advice gratefully received. Thanks!

divadee

No it is up to you to take it up with the post office, as you sent the item.

As you sent it standard parcels it has a tracking label on it so they might be able to find it.

I would contact the post office and start the compensation claim now. and contact the buyer and tell him the situation and also offer to refund.

HTH

stavros_2

I wouldn't necessarily offer a refund now in case he's having you on (sorry to be negative)

I'd contact the post office and get them to investigate it and just keep the buyer updated on what they say. Compensation for standard parcels is the usual £28 if it is lost by the way

heathen

I wouldn't necessarily offer a refund now in case he's having you on (sorry to be negative)

I'd contact the post office and get them to investigate it and just keep the buyer updated on what they say. Compensation for standard parcels is the usual £28 if it is lost by the way

i agree seems strange.the post might be slow up to xmas but u posted on the 1st & when u contacted on 19th he said no problem may still be in the post!!either hes very pateint or its there already :(then he waits another 4 weeks b4 letting u know its not arrived!if id been waiting 7 weeks plus for an item i think i woud get in touch with the seller sooner than that(unless of coarse id already got it)

chillipepper_3

If you offered insurance then you have covered yourself really. I have had this three times now, the first time I refunded on a mobile phone which i sold only to keep track of the buyers feedback and had later tried this on with two other sellers who didn't fall for it, so i lost £80 and the phone.

The second I refused to refund because I had taken all precautions, like you I had offered insurance and clearly labeled the package with sender address and included an invoice with details. When doing all this it is quite unlikely that it will get totally lost in the system, the only way I can see such post going missing is through theft from within the PO. Needless to say the buyer did not leave feedback at all so it was very likely they were trying it on.

The third time was my fault as I had sent a batch of items and one wasn't received. I was sure it went but then after 7 weeks of emails and waiting I came across the said parcel in the boot of the car, so I eventually posted it with a full refund too!

If you can cover your costs with the PO and a claim, offer a refund, if not and its a reasonable amount I would sit tight longer and maybe take a hit on your feedback.