Refunding a cheque payment

poorbutrich

HI there - I wonder if you seasoned eBayers can help please?

A buyer has received an item damaged, so as I understand it, I should refund her and claim from Royal Mail (it's under £32)

However, the buyer paid by cheque, so am I supposed to write her out a cheque and send it back? To add a little twist to this scenario, what would happen if I couldn't find my cheque book anywhere?

TIA for your help,
PBR

Sooler

Refund by any method acceptable to the buyer.

If you can’t find your cheque book you can get a Postal Order from the Post Office or inform your bank who will issue you with another cheque book.

poorbutrich

Sooler wrote:

a Postal Order from the Post Office

Many thanks for your swift reply. There's no way the buyer could cash this and then claim it was never received?

Biggles

A buyer has received an item damaged, so as I understand it, I should refund her and claim from Royal Mail (it's under £32)

Yes but, I would have thought, not in that order. Ensure 1) RM agree it was damaged, and 2) the cheque has cleared, before refunding.

Sooler

poorbutrich wrote:

There's no way the buyer could cash this and then claim it was never received?

They could, that's a drawback woth postal orders.

Ask if they can give you their account number and sort code to enable you to use online banking pay the money.

poorbutrich

Sooler wrote:

Refund by any method acceptable to the buyer.

If you can’t find your cheque book you can get a Postal Order from the Post Office or inform your bank who will issue you with another cheque book.

I've taken this bit of advice - that will give me time to contact Royal Mail.
Many thanks for your replies.

Blacksheep1979

have you seen pics or had the item returned?

zipwen1

have the item returned to you before you give any refund.

martindow

Yes, get the item back and then refund. I don't think you should make the buyer wait for RM before sending the refund.

poorbutrich

Blacksheep1979 wrote:

have you seen pics or had the item returned?

I've seen pictures - the amount was relatively low, but it's quite a large item.