buyer saysing the "Envelope is empty" - what can I do?

hermum

You can claim back the amount you sold it for & the postage from RM, so refund the buyer before they open a dispute.

soolin

custardy wrote: »

let me guess.some sort of item with a bit of weight to it that can slide around in the envelope?

Yep, like the small metal pill box that my work colleague ordered, apparently it was put in a standard A5 envelope and when it arrived the RM machinery tore a hole through it and my colleague got an empty envelope.

In that instance seller became abusive as they did eventually refund but alledgedly RM refused the compensation claim as they stated item was inadequately wrapped.

shaun_from_Africa

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

Very old scam and to be honest I would ignore the buyers request.
I would only deal with it if it comes in the form of a dispute.

If it was a scam then the buyer must be a bit of an idiot.
Why go to the bother of claiming that the package was empty and possibly having to send the empty envelope back to the seller when all they needed to do was to simply claim non delivery.

The item wasn't sent by recorded delivery so they would be guaranteed to win a dispute.

ashleypride

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

Very old scam and to be honest I would ignore the buyers request.
I would only deal with it if it comes in the form of a dispute.

Yes yes, I know that noone knows for sure whether or not the buyer is scamming but looking at the odds chances are that it is a scam.
So, make it difficult for the buyer.
Perhaps then some buyers will think twice about scamming if it takes 6 weeks to get their money back.

You sound like a great seller. Chances are, the buyer is telling the truth, as somebody mentioned it's a stupid lie to make, and entirely plausible that it did happen.

Obviously_the_best

Claim procedure:

http://www2.royalmail.com/customer-service/personal-customers/refunds-and-compensation/claims-process

vicx

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

Very old scam and to be honest I would ignore the buyers request.
I would only deal with it if it comes in the form of a dispute.

Yes yes, I know that noone knows for sure whether or not the buyer is scamming but looking at the odds chances are that it is a scam.
So, make it difficult for the buyer.
Perhaps then some buyers will think twice about scamming if it takes 6 weeks to get their money back.

I would not like to buy anything from you and I feel sorry for anyone who does that has a problem with their transaction.

What evidence have you got that suggests this is a scam? If the buyer was wanting to scam I think they would report this item as not received rather than an empty envelope.

I have had this happen to me once as a buyer. I bought an item of costume jewellery around 8 year ago when I first started using eBay. I was so happy to have found this bracelet again which I had originally lost. The item was only worth £15 so was sent standard post. It was far too heavy to be sent in a normal paper envelope, I could not believe the seller would not even think of putting it in a bubble wrap envelope. When I received the envelope through the post it was empty and in a Royal Mail damaged packet. I was really devastated that I did not receive the item and still to this day did not find a replacement. I contacted Royal Mail straight away and I made the claim myself after receiving the original proof of post from the seller.

OP, as others have already suggested, refund the buyer and make a claim through RM. You will receive compensation for the amount the item sold for plus the postage cost you paid.

custardy

vicx wrote: »

I would not like to buy anything from you and I feel sorry for anyone who does that has a problem with their transaction.

What evidence have you got that suggests this is a scam? If the buyer was wanting to scam I think they would report this item as not received rather than an empty envelope.

I have had this happen to me once as a buyer. I bought an item of costume jewellery around 8 year ago when I first started using eBay. I was so happy to have found this bracelet again which I had originally lost. The item was only worth £15 so was sent standard post. It was far too heavy to be sent in a normal paper envelope, I could not believe the seller would not even think of putting it in a bubble wrap envelope. When I received the envelope through the post it was empty and in a Royal Mail damaged packet. I was really devastated that I did not receive the item and still to this day did not find a replacement. I contacted Royal Mail straight away and I made the claim myself after receiving the original proof of post from the seller.

OP, as others have already suggested, refund the buyer and make a claim through RM. You may receive compensation for the amount the item sold for plus the postage cost you paid.

..................................................................

apesxx

onlyoneme wrote: »

I don't have the receipt, but it was about £10. and the sale was £5.69 including postage.

No chance for claim if I don't have the original receipt then?

Very much doubt you will get anywhere with a claim tho with out the proof of posting

onlyoneme

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

Claim procedure:

Thank you very much everyone for your help. the buyer agreed to send the envelope. As I have the proof of posting, I will try my luck.

Thanks again

vicx

apesxx wrote: »

Very much doubt you will get anywhere with a claim tho with out the proof of posting

The OP does have proof of posting so will receive compensation from RM. Whenever I or anyone else I know has made a claim with RM for items damaged or lost in post RM have never asked for proof of value before compensation is paid out, the eBay item page or item number will do.