Damaged Letterbox

PrincessPlaty

2 days ago my letterbox was damaged by a staff member of a local chinese takeaway posting a menu through my front door.
There was no damage to the letterbox prior to this happening.
I was in when it happened and went out and tried to discuss it with the staff member there and then however they spoke very little English.
I called the take away the same evening and asked to speak with the manager, was told that the manager didn't speak English but I could explain to her and she would translate to him.
She came back and said they knew nothing about any damage and they would have to wait until the staff came in the following day (yesterday) she took my details and said she would call me back yesterday evening.
I heard nothing at all.
I'm not interested in compensation or anything else I would just like it repaired or replaced so that it is back to the condition it was prior to it being damaged.
What should be my next step? I'm thinking writing to them may be better than calling them again? Am I right in asking them to repair/replace the letterbox considering an employee of theirs broke it?
As a side note I do have a sign up stating no junk mail, free papers etc however this was also ignored.

TIA

jc808

How was the LB damaged?

PrincessPlaty

The front part of the letterbox came off at one end I watched the bloke try and put it back on he couldn't do it so walked off and left it when i went out to look the small bar that goes through the flap and attaches at each end has been snapped.

If that makes any sense! lol

Hintza

Sounds as if it was possibly faulty. Can you show he used undue force?

The only thing I think you are probably due is some goodwill, but if they ae unwilling then I doubt you have a case.

ShaneUK

Is there ANY chance that it had been broken earlier, ie by the postman, or another leaflet delivery person.

Did you physically witness this person break the letterbox?

PrincessPlaty

It was absolutely fine last week, had a security survey done on the house and the letterbox was checked at the same time.
I had an almighty bang (it sounded like someone was trying to force their way through the door!) which is when i looked out the window and saw him trying to put it back on.
I do have CCTV on the front door however the angle that it is at doesn't pick up the letterbox however you can see him stood there for around 3 minutes!

vikingaero

If it's a letterbox on a uPVC door then they are pretty weak and break all the time.

Edit: Just to clarify my comment. The spindle on a uPVC letterbox is made of plastic. It is fixed/held at each end by two tabs. When you lift the letterbox plate the spindle twists to provide a spring action to stop the flap from flapping around in the wind. The plastic spindle will eventually just snap after a certain period of time. I think they are about £14.99 upwards at B&Q for a whole letterbox unit.

arcon5

How much do letter boxes costs?

Seems odd that one open damages it, I would think it had some weak fittings for a while and just a matter of time.

pendulum

This is a pretty clear one. The delivery man is not liable for the damage unless he was negligent. If it simply broke when he was using it (which they do - I've had to fix a few) he's not responsible. It's down to you to prove he was negligent rather than just unfortunate enough to be using it when it broke. Saying "It was working fine before he arrived" is nowhere near good enough.

PrincessPlaty

Thanks all

pinkshoes

Sounds like the letter box wasn't fit for purpose, as it's unlikely he used excessive force trying to put the flyer through!

Things wear and break over time, so looks like it's time to go letter box shopping.