Proof of Postage?

Meadows

Luckyred wrote: »

I buy things on Ebay but have only just started selling. I am confused about proof of postage. I took a parcel to the PO earlier this week and asked for proof of postage. I was given a payment receipt and a so called POP slip. I didnt look at it until I got home but when I did I saw that there was nothing on it regarding the recipient, just the weight and price paid. Supposing the buyer claimed they hadnt received it. How would I be able to prove that that particular so called POP was for a certain person? It could have been for a parcel going anywhere.
( Its not a problem in this instance because the buyer has received it.)
Is that all they give you? It seems a bit pointless to me. Is there something else I should have been given?
I would appreciate some help please from the experts on here.

Some staff actually type the address into the computer and is printed on the receipt, some only put the post code, some write on just the postcode, but when it comes to eBay you should be sending recorded with a tracking reference, if the buyer was to claim they had not received the item Paypal/eBay would find in the favour of the buyer as the seller has to provide the proof with a tracking number, (same when a buyer returns an item (at their cost) no proof of tracking and dispute will be awarded to the buyer/seller (returns).

soolin

Meadows wrote: »

Some staff actually type the address into the computer and is printed on the receipt, some only put the post code, some write on just the postcode, but when it comes to eBay you should be sending recorded with a tracking reference, if the buyer was to claim they had not received the item Paypal/eBay would find in the favour of the buyer as the seller has to provide the proof with a tracking number, (same when a buyer returns an item (at their cost) no proof of tracking and dispute will be awarded to the buyer/seller (returns).

Sellers only need recorded if they believe every buyer is a scammer, most of us run businesses and know that is not the truth so are happy to merely protect ourselves against loss.

If all buyers are scammers then none of us would be selling online.

campdave

soolin wrote: »

Same here, I am not quite sure why people are getting confused. I've always used hand written ones , starting with the ones on the pads they have at the PO and now using the bulk posting ones.

There are three types that I've had -

1) Bulk certificate, which I use in the Post Office near where I work
2) Proof of posting - hand written by post office staff on receipt - post office beside my house gives me these
3) Proof of postage which can be generated by staff typing street number and postcode into their computer and printing it out

zerog

All post offices that I've used (in London) print out their proof of postage, the clerk types the house and postcode into their computer and then it comes out like a receipt. Maybe it's different in village post offices or something.


If they've already printed out and stuck on the gold label (the one which says 1PK or 2LG etc) before I ask for POP, then they can't print it any more and have to write it manually.


The problem for people who just sell the odd spare item is that it may just takes one scammer (or one bad postman) to eradicate any profit you've ever made on ebay. In any case, the POP will allow you to claim compensation from RM.

the-mango

this is the bulk form is anyone needs it
http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/Bulk_Certificate_Posting_Standard.pdf

Obviously_the_best

The post office should print the address and weight of the item onto the receipt, it shouldn't be handwritten. You can also Do the bulk postage which is handwritten but the post office have to stamp, and also, if you print your postage online, and your local branch has fast drop, you can have the proof of postage e-mailed to you, just tick the box.

Luckyred

I wasnt aware that you could print off forms to fill in yourself as I havent sold on Ebay before. I asked for proof of posting but the printed one I was given at the PO was proof of nothing. Perhaps I will try another post office next time as the woman behind the counter was a bit off hand. The person in front of me actually commented on her attitude as he was leaving. If I have a few parcels I will fill in one of the blank forms.
I am not planning to sell lots of stuff at the moment....just a few items. I do have a fair bit of stuff that I would like to sell but I am starting slowly because reading about problems and scammers makes me a bit nervous TBH. What a wimp!
Thank you all for the help and advice.

bartelbe

That is one of my pet hates about the PO. Trying to get a proof of postage out of some of the staff can be hard bloody work. I sometimes wonder if they are on commission to sell more expensive insured services and resent the free proof of postage cover?

Even if yiou get them to do it, alot will just print them off with no indication which parcel they are linked to. Writing a post code takes what? 10 seconds. It is so unreasonable to expect post office staff to do their job properly?

mich13x

bartelbe wrote: »

That is one of my pet hates about the PO. Trying to get a proof of postage out of some of the staff can be hard bloody work. I sometimes wonder if they are on commission to sell more expensive insured services and resent the free proof of postage cover?

Even if yiou get them to do it, alot will just print them off with no indication which parcel they are linked to. Writing a post code takes what? 10 seconds. It is so unreasonable to expect post office staff to do their job properly?

No we are not paid commission for selling more expensive services however every office has targets for special delivery, and most parcelforce services. Recorded delivery is practically worthless in terms of generating revenue for the office.

In regards to the POP it can be handwritten by the clerk or the details typed in and then printed it off, it's just down to what the clerk decides to do. I tend to print them. Technically staff should not be handing out blank POP's as it could lead to fraudulent claims to RM.

campdave

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

The post office should print the address and weight of the item onto the receipt, it shouldn't be handwritten. .

I've made a claim with Royal Mail with the handwritten one. I expect they're used to dealing with the variety of proofs they see.