Real life MMD: Should I refund the Post Office?

sue4662

I must admit that I'd be inclined to keep the money. On the 9th January I made a claim for a parcel that I sent on 6th Dec which never arrived. It was something that I had sold on eBay and as advised I sent it Recorded delivery so that a signature was required. I sent them copies of everything including the correspondence via eBay and PayPal. Paypal were satisfied that the parcel hadn't arrived and took the money out of my account and paid it back to my buyer. It took until 21st February for the Post Office to acknowledge my claim and then they sent a letter to the person who should have received the item to confirm non receipt. He said that he signed it and returned it straightaway however when i phoned last week they hadn't any record of receiving it back so told me to wait a further two weeks before enquiring again. However within that time I should receive either a rejection of my claim or a cheque. I must admit that I'm not holding my breath! :mad:

Saetana

As some other posters have said, ring Royal Mail and explain what has happened, making it very clear that the parcel took a whole month to arrive, this is not acceptable even allowing for Christmas and bad weather! Hopefully they will tell you to keep the cheque (unless it is for a large amount), especially if you say you will put in a claim for late delivery if they want it back (I wish you luck with that one).

I used to work for Royal Mail in one of their large commercial sorting offices, postmen and women are not inept, badly trained and overpaid, they are very well trained and efficient, its a heavy job and the pay is hardly huge, the problem lies with the large number of inept and badly trained temporary staff that proliferate throughout Royal Mail operations, they just take anyone from agencies without finding out if they are suitable and consciencious, I know this as its how I started there, I was good enough to be offered one of the few permanent positions they had available.

JayD

It seems that the overwhelming response to your question is to return the cheque and then apply for late delivery compensation.

That is the honest thing to do and I agree with it.

Incidentally, when I have claimed for lost parcels, I had always added the cost of the postage to the claim - and made it clear on the form that I was doing so. My compensation cheques have always included the cost of the postage. After all, it is something I paid for and didn't get.

yeahyeahyeah

Please keep it on behalf of me, for all the greetings cards I've had ripped open before delivery, or that never showed up. Funny how my bills never disappear!

Losinmoney

JayD wrote: »

It seems that the overwhelming response to your question is to return the cheque and then apply for late delivery compensation.

That is the honest thing to do and I agree with it.

Incidentally, when I have claimed for lost parcels, I had always added the cost of the postage to the claim - and made it clear on the form that I was doing so. My compensation cheques have always included the cost of the postage. After all, it is something I paid for and didn't get.

Totally. I added the cost of postage to my claim too, and Royal Mail paid that. I've returned the cheque - £38.56 - and I do expect Royal Mail will refund me eventually for late delivery. Although as I said earlier, I've been waiting 7 weeks now!

Come on Royal Mail, hurry up, I did the right thing by you here so do the right thing by me now!!

rapido

JayD wrote: »

It seems that the overwhelming response to your question is to return the cheque and then apply for late delivery compensation.

Overwhelming response?

How do you work that one out?

Over 50 responses in this thread, and most of them say "keep it", and about a quarter say "send it back".

gotnomoneynomore

Keep the cheque and cash it. Offer to send them the parcel back. The compensation was for the parcel, they sent you the cheque so they own the parcel. They probably won't want the parcel because what would they do with it? I wouldn't offer the money back and take offence if they ask for it. The deal is done.

tallgirld

I would not bother sending it back. If they had done their job properly in the first place you would not have had to contact them.

Look at it as 'compensation' :-)

laurenzo_2

I'd totally keep it! they'll never find out and i'd say you deserve the value as compensation for the delay!

surprised so many would send it back!

WinnyWoo

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

I couldn't agree more!!

I just had my 50Th birthday. My sister sent a special card by special delivery(next day) on a Friday - didn't arrive til Weds!!!