When should seller refund buyer if item is lost in post?

spinning_hamster_wheel

Hello,

I purchased an item from ebay 2 weeks ago, apparently it was sent out 1st class recorded but I never received it. They gave me a tracking number but every time I type it in it just says "come back later, recorded items only appear online once they've been signed for" or words to that effect. The seller says they are waiting 15 days for Royal Mail to refund them, but shouldn't they refund me now THEN get their refund?

Or am I just being impatient? I think anything to do with ebay automatically makes me think I'm getting my leg lifted.:o :cool:

rammy007

It took the Royal Mail longer than 15 days to give me a refund for a lost parcel,i think it is only classified as lost after the 15 (working days) so really they should be giving you a refund at the latest of those 15days cos the claims take ages.

frivolous_fay

spinning_hamster_wheel wrote:

shouldn't they refund me now THEN get their refund?

Correct. Open a paypal dispute if necessary to move things along. You did pay with paypal, right?

mah_jong

There is a 25 day wait before completing a lost mail item. They surely dont expect you to wait for that and then wait until its paid.

I would refund now, if it were me!

shelly

I think a good seller should refund straight away whilst claiming from RM.

spinning_hamster_wheel

Well I refunded right away when an item I sent out was lost in the post. But in my case it was only a few quid and I couldn't be bothered to claim from RM. In this case, its a baby item and I kinda want the money back to buy another one.........oh and yes I paid via paypal. They are maintaining that they want to wait til RM refund them but I do not really feel that is my problem!

pennylane99

shouldnt be your problem, open a paypal dispute....might stir them up a bit to do something...

RM could take weeks to refund, and then you may be out of time to dispute...

spinning_hamster_wheel

I opened a dispute yesterday, the seller seems to be a bit offended I've done it but I was getting worried and they've replied to me now. They've promised to refund on 5 march which is 15 days after according to RM, I'm just worried that if I close the dispute now then they might keep on with the excuses i.e. RM taking ages to refund etc.

pennylane99

they can file the lost mail claim with RM 15 days after the item was sent yes, but the refund itself could take weeks. That isnt your problem.

as another thought, you have checked your local post office in case they are holding an item for you...sometimes the posties dont leave a card to say they tried to deliver...

neilwoods

Dont close dispute, otherwise wont be able to open another one, should you need to.

I only have had 1 parcel lost in post to a buyer, asked if they didnt mind waiting 7 full working, he did. So gave him option of another identical item or refund, sent out replacement, he got it ok. Claimed money back from RM after the 15 days, best thing is item was worth 4.99, i got cheque for 7.99.

mrsb_5

unfortunately I had to do this yesterday as an item "apparently" got lost, unfortunately it was sent standard parcels so no signature is required so I have to trust the person saying it. Anyway I contacted them after 10 days to check the item had arrived. they said it hadn't and would let me know when it did. They finally emailed me yesterday which was exactly 4 weeks after I posted the item, and said they hadn't received it. I did pay them a refund straight away as it is only their word against mine. Usually if it happens I would wait the 15 days , refund the money and then make a claim with royal mail