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Royal Mail refund issue??

Hi

Recently a package I sent by RM 1st class, was thrown over a high fence on to concrete and the well packed contents damaged.

They had the paperwork, photos etc and basically accept the fault is theirs BUT have only issued the actual £10-30 postal charge refund.

I was claiming £40 for a repair to an antique box (that had sold for £69.99 on Ebay) and my post office says I should be insured up to the first class £45 limit (which would have covered my basic costs even if the package was lost)

However, in the letter it says "I realise you requested a higher payment but the service that you used does not attract that level of cover"

Am I right to still ask for the full £40 repair cost caused by their admitted damage and under their 1st class £45 compensation?

TIA

Vigman
Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
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Comments

  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,700 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I'd ask them to put you back in the same position you were in before their negligence. Whether you can insist upon that I'll wait for someone more knowledgeable to say. Unfortunately Royal Mail make their own rules up as they go along. They're rarely made in the Customer's favour
  • OlliesDad
    OlliesDad Posts: 1,825 Forumite
    vigman wrote: »
    Hi

    Recently a package I sent by RM 1st class, was thrown over a high fence on to concrete and the well packed contents damaged.

    They had the paperwork, photos etc and basically accept the fault is theirs BUT have only issued the actual £10-30 postal charge refund.

    I was claiming £40 for a repair to an antique box (that had sold for £69.99 on Ebay) and my post office says I should be insured up to the first class £45 limit (which would have covered my basic costs even if the package was lost)

    However, in the letter it says "I realise you requested a higher payment but the service that you used does not attract that level of cover"

    Am I right to still ask for the full £40 repair cost caused by their admitted damage and under their 1st class £45 compensation?

    TIA

    Vigman

    I believe the £40 repair cost would be classed as consequential loss and therefore not covered by RM.
  • vuvuzela
    vuvuzela Posts: 3,648 Forumite
    OlliesDad wrote: »
    I believe the £40 repair cost would be classed as consequential loss and therefore not covered by RM.

    It's not consequential loss for a repair to be needed to a box that has been damaged by them throwing it onto concrete. It is damage caused by their mishandling.
  • vigman
    vigman Posts: 1,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    OlliesDad wrote: »
    I believe the £40 repair cost would be classed as consequential loss and therefore not covered by RM.

    Interesting! I thought the £45 compensation on first class was for any (?) loss or damage?

    I have not paid the repair cost to the restorer who gave the estimate, but the RM action directly caused £40 damage?

    Thanks

    Vigman
    Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
  • vigman
    vigman Posts: 1,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Has anyone 'escalated' a Royal Mail refund request before, please?

    I am going to write to say that I am not cashing their cheque or accepting this offer, and am entitled to repayment of up to £45 for the damage they caused.

    The service I used, First Class, does specify up to £45 for loss or damage.

    Any legal/consumer law bods out there who would agree with this action?

    TIA

    Vigman
    Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
  • shocky_2
    shocky_2 Posts: 189 Forumite
    According to RM's website it seems you get up to £45 compensation no matter what service you use (http://www.royalmail.com/customer-service/personal-customers/refunds-and-compensation/claims-process/compensation-tables/compensation-damage). I don't understand why they say you should only get £30.
  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Pssst... it's £46.00.
  • vigman
    vigman Posts: 1,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    wealdroam wrote: »
    Pssst... it's £46.00.

    ...thanks!!!

    Vigman
    Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
  • vigman
    vigman Posts: 1,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 7 December 2012 at 12:37PM
    According to RM's website it seems you get up to £45 compensation no matter what service you use (http://www.royalmail.com/customer-service/personal-customers/refunds-and-compensation/claims-process/compensation-tables/compensation-damage). I don't understand why they say you should only get £30.

    They did not offer £30......£10 & 30 pence...the original posting cost!

    Vigman!!
    Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
  • vigman
    vigman Posts: 1,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Just sending this:

    "Thank you for you letter of 30th November 2012.

    I was extremely disappointed at your response and the inclusion of a cheque for only £10-30, the return of my postage only, in reply to my claim for the damage caused by a Royal Mail operative to my parcel which was thrown over a high gate on to a concrete path at the recipient’s address.

    I am not cashing this cheque and do not accept it as due compensation for the damage caused to my package.

    I claimed £40, which is the estimated cost of repair to the wooden sewing box by a professional restorer.

    You are wrong to state that “the service you used does not attract that level of cover” as my First Class post attracts a cover of up to £46 for loss or damage.

    I am now requesting a cheque either for the full £40 claimed and I will return the original cheque or a further cheque for £29.70 and I will then cash the original cheque as well.

    There is no doubt, and complete proof, that this was damage caused by your negligence and I expect appropriate compensation, please, in accordance with Royal Mail guidelines."

    I will report back.............

    Vigman
    Any information given in my posts or replies is intended to be of interest and/or help to members of the forum. I cannot guarantee that this is accurate or up to date.
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