Real life MMD: Should I refund the Post Office?

graemedl

Easy one.

Talk about it to a small child (if you don't have your own a niece or nephew, or imagine it).

Then when you get to the bit where you say "the post office paid me money for the parcel" and they say "but you got the parcel, aren't you going to send the money back?" you will know what you will do.

Doooford

Keep it. It's swings and roundabout in the long term :beer:

rapido

Devonian_Rodders wrote: »

Although the Post Office handle millions of packages, there is nothing to stop them making further investigations when least expected.

"Further investigations"? Nonsense.

They have sent the compensation; do you think they are going to spend more money on hiring specialist "parcel police" to carry out door to door enquiries? :rotfl:

As you said, they already handle millions of packages. They have pretty much no idea what happens to a non-recorded parcel - whether it's still in the system, or has been delivered. They expect to lose a few, I think the figure is about 1 in 200.

Augustus_the_Strong

Be prepared to send the cheque back. Ring them up. If they say 'keep the cheque', great. If they want it back, then console yourself with doing the right thing - virtue is its own reward.

jpw93

I would cash the cheque and write a cheque back to the Post Office for the original amount less the cost of the postage (because it didn't do what you required it to do) and less an amount to be decided by you for the inconvenience etc caused - say 5GBP, but I don't know the overall figures.

Then, if the PO doesn't bother cashing it, that is their look-out, but you have been honest.

hibbleton_2

people are quick to knock the post office, but they have given you a refund in good faith cause they clearly have not investagated because you have the package.

How people can say that postman are overpaid is a bit harsh on a money saving website where people support each other through difficult times. May i ask what other people do? i suspect that you are over paid.

I would not pay the check in, as you have not lost the package.

custardy

Doooford wrote: »

Personally I think it's a joke that if you send something urgently with Royal Mail under the "Guaranteed Next Day" service that the only compensation that you get is the postage refunded.
I once sent a passport to someone who was travelling abroad 2 days later. The item turned up the day after departure and I could only claim back £4.95ish.
For everyone that the Royal Mail has conned with their charges for under paid postage I think you should take this money.

Back in my day guaranteed meant guaranteed and all that

which is why they offer consequential loss cover.
except you didnt pay for that
you selected the service
"conned" for underpaid postage. back in my day,if something is underpaid then its underpaid

bennett2kuk wrote: »

They are thieves. Charging over £5 to "ensure" a parcel gets there the next day when a stamp would just as easily suffice. How they are in the trouble they are in is beyond me. Employing morons doesn't help but the Royal Mail is a complete shambles! Keep the money, they won't miss it and they won't care!

I have no idea of your logic here
you feel every item with 40 odd pence postage paid should be tracked and delivered next day?

bindods

whatever the decision in this case, royal mail are the most appalling at refunding loss/damage charges. I was refused a refund on a £500 phone stolen whilst on special delivery, until an appeal to postwatch months later decided in my favour. on another occaision I received an item 3 weeks late, also tampered with and damaged, they sent an inspector who "decided" it was not royal mail's fault, £100 loss. they don't deserve anything

philwagg

just ease your conscience by giving the equivalent amount of money to the red nose day charity - it'll help some one get medical help, food, or even a goat to provide a family with milk and income. Just do it. Refunding the money would cost the PO as much to fill forms in etc. And you don't need the cash as you'd already spent it.

Bill_Badger

Philwagg's answer dodges around the point of whether to send it back or not, and has nothing to do with any legal position.

Just pretend that the parcel arrived after you had paid the cheque into the bank. If your bank account is anything like mine, the amount will soon be swallowed up in your overdraft anyway!