£800 Ring lost in post

maggie111

Hi,

My husband bought me an eternity ring from Argos, it arrived, I wasn't happy with it and we returned it as the instructions said... Fill in the form, use the envelope provided, get proof of postage from your Post Office.

We did all this and it's lost Had a telephone calls with Argos about it, they did say we should have informed them we were returning it as it goes to the supplier, but they didn't stress much on that point.

We've given them the details from our receipt of posting and she did say "That is proof you posted us something, but not proof what it is."

So far, no talk on whether we might not get our money back but now I am stressed.... Is there anything I should be doing whilst they are looking for it? I totally understand their point but is this a fight we'll have to have with Royal Mail to get £800 back from them? What if it got delivered and the supplier lost it?!

I didn't even take a picture of the envelope we posted it off in, although I did take a picture of the returns form. I think now how nice it would have been to film us packing it and posting it! Grr.

Any advice or reassurance would be greatly appreciated.


EDIT - Update Post #14 - we have proof it was delivered to their suppliers.

System

What level of insurance did you get when you posted it back?

By this I mean what service did you use to post it back?

maggie111

goater78 wrote: »

What level of insurance did you get when you posted it back?

By this I mean what service did you use to post it back?

That's the thing, I can't remember exactly, but we're pretty sure it was Royal Mail Next Day and I presumed it would be covered for the value of the ring.

I effing shouldn't make assumptions

System

These are the levels of compensation you can get. I think you'll be lucky to get the £800 back, unless you paid extra for the consequential loss?

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

maggie111

maggie111 wrote: »

That's the thing, I can't remember exactly, but we're pretty sure it was Royal Mail Next Day and I presumed it would be covered for the value of the ring.

I effing shouldn't make assumptions

How could I prove to Royal Mail what the contents of the envelope were??

Thank you for your reply, I can see that Royal Mail said it will be covered up to £500, which isn't too bad if it was £800.

Makes me glad my husband didn't spend more for once!

chunkychocky

Your proof of postage should specify whether it was simply recorded delivery or special delivery, and if you opted for extra insurance that would also show on your receipt. How much did you pay for the postage - this would give an indication of the service you paid for too.

maggie111

It was a pre-paid envelope all set up with the address and everything...

The receipt just has a handwritten PO Box on with a date and time, Session ID, Bulk Barcode details and tells me to retain the receipt as proof of posting.

We just handed the package over, didn't pay anything and got a receipt.

Thanks all for your help again, I do feel calmer - sorry goater, I posted again before I saw you had replied - I have edited that post to say thank you. I feel much better knowing that we have a chance of getting £500 back at least. Perhaps more because I would expect if Argos tells us to use an envelope for posting that it would be covered for the contents!!

I am just panicked because this site has made me very aware that the onus is on the person sending it to make sure it gets delivered. I've benefited from that a few times!!

Now I realise that even though I'm dealing with a reputable company I'm the one that posted it so that must make me liable for the loss....

irishjohn

maggie111 wrote: »

That's the thing, I can't remember exactly, but we're pretty sure it was Royal Mail Next Day and I presumed it would be covered for the value of the ring.

I effing shouldn't make assumptions

The only service by Royal Mail which delivers next day is guaranteed delivery at a cost of around £6 minimum. You would have been asked what the value of the contents was as this can affect the delivery cost to give you adequate cover. Royal Mail would have provided you with a receipt which included a tracking number to enable you to confirm on their website it had been delivered within the contracted time. Next day delivery items are tracked at every stage in the delivery process. Anything else just gets thrown in with all the general mail, even if it is recorded delivery - it is not tracked just signed for at point of delivery.

POPPYOSCAR

I am confused.

Was the envelope that Argos provided a "Special Delivery" service?

When I had to return an item (Not Argos) bought online I was provided with a freepost return address but was advised to send by recorded delivery(this was enough to cover the item) and the company refunded my account with the cost of this on receipt of a copy.

maggie111

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I am confused.

Was the envelope that Argos provided a "Special Delivery" service?

When I had to return an item (Not Argos) bought online I was provided with a freepost return address but was advised to send by recorded delivery(this was enough to cover the item) and the company refunded my account with the cost of this on receipt of a copy.

It was a special silver and blue envelope with huge "ROYAL MAIL xxxx" on - I can't remember the exact words, special delivery or next day or whatever.

My husband remembers thinking how glad he was it was going to be there next day so it will all be sorted quickly.

Maybe it's different because it's the suppliers return envelope rather than Argos' one? I know it wasn't sent to an Argos depot.

Thanks Irish John. Makes sense what you say and I'm extra panicking... There is no tracking information at all on the receipt... I'm wondering whether we sent it to a Freepost place in a "special" envelope that did nothing to get any special postage services but just make it look effing expensive?!?!?! :eek:

£!$%....

chunkychocky

If it was sent Special Delivery they would definitely have given you a tracking number, even if it was Special Delivery paid for by Argos. It sounds like it has just gone by standard 1st or 2nd class post. The only service that is guaranteed next day is Special Delivery so not having a tracking number doesn't make sense if your hubby thought that it was guaranteed next day. Good luck and fingers crossed.