Real life MMD: Should I refund the Post Office?

master811

Cimscate wrote: »

Are we talking a fiver or hundreds of pounds here? If it's a small amount then would cost PO more in admin to return it and I wouldn't feel at all guilty about keeping it.

If it's a lot of money then I'd have to think a bit harder about what to do although I am amazed you got compensation so quickly!

Agreed, if the cheque is only for a small amount (say less than £20 or something), then it's not worth returning it, but for a lot more than probably yes.

jgriggle

If you signed for the parcel when it arrived, then I guess they may put two and two together and realise you've been paid compensation for the value of a parcel that you've actually received. You should definitely offer to return the money, and then try to claim compensation for late delivery.

If you didn't sign for it, then they have no proof that you ever received it, in which case I'd keep it if I were you.

For a completely clear conscience, keep the money until Christmas and give it to your postie as a Christmas tip!

Star

I would keep it, I have had so much stuff go missing from the Royal Mail, which they always find excuses not to pay the compenation for, or I simply never hear back when I have put a compensation form in. Not to mention things arriving late when they should be next day. Had xmas cards sent out on 19th December from 30miles away, that didn't get here until the second week of January.

Pellyman

I'm sure you know the CORRECT course of action - unless your training to become a fraudster!

There are already several helpful posts and I too suggest you telephone the Post Office and explain your situation. Their reaction will probably be influenced by the amount of the cheque you have received for the 'lost' goods - if it's a small amount they may well suggest you keep it for your 'inconvenience' (and to save them more admin costs!) but if it's a larger amount they will probably offer a lower amount in compensation.

Doing NOTHING never solved any moral dilemma but that doesn't mean you should make it easy for them - enjoy a good moan.

scoobydoobydoo

I would probably keep it tbh because I have had parcels go missing and have never managed to get anything back for that, so sod 'em!

twinmom04

If you have claimed for a lost item and then recieved it. to keep the cheque is fraud. send it back and ask for comp for the delay.

leigh_uk76

It does constitute fraud if you keep compensation for loss for an item that has been delivered, as on the claim form you sign you agree to repay the money if the item turns up at a later date. You would be entitled to compensation for the delay to your item only. However, the answer about repaying the cheque you already have is simple and is whatever your consience dictates! Royal Mail cannot track first and second class items, so unless your honest they will not know the parcel has arrived. Bear in mind though, the Royal Mail claims process relies on customer honesty! if everyone was dishonest then they can always change the system to make it harder to claim. In repect of the postage refund, in my experience this is only paid back if you state on the form how much postage was paid and you provide a certificate of posting. For those of you who are waiting for claims to be processed and have been waiting for a while, chase them they are only human. I personally am an Ebay trader and have only occasionally had probs with Royal Mails claims and it usually my mistate that has caused the problem, if you read and complete the form properly, providing the appropriate evidence at the first point of contact, they are less likely to make mistakes as your claim can be dealt with by the person who initially processes it. I have only had probs when i have made a mistake with the form or evidence.

Gingerjar

Send it back, anything else is dishonest.

Gillsx

The claim you made was in line with T&Cs and to be honest probably nothing to do with the snow, but more to do with the rubbish service they provide (sorry but i've had several things go missing and find it funny that their only answer to these issues is to provide compensation, not to allow you to speak to someone or get a response as to why it happened - must happen a lot then!).
Cash the cheque - your well within your rights legally and morally to do so.

elizabethhull

At last a real dilemma! Extremely tempting to just keep the cheque & say nothing for all the reasons already mentioned. The warm glow of having done the right thing by returning the cheque is not very warming set against the appalling service that is not only at Christmas. I think I would give them a ring to explain what has happened, making a note of when & to whom you spoke. With any luck they will ask you to keep the cheque because it's less hassle than dealing with its return. If they ask you to return it, then set in motion the compensation claim for late delivery (but don't hold your breath !!). Again, the value of the cheque is important -maybe under or over, say £25 ? If we're talking over £50, you shouldn't really be asking - you know what to do!