Help would be appreciated

OneYorkshireLass

I bought an item which was posted first class recorded by the seller earlier this week. It didn't arrive so contacted the seller and they've given me the tracking number. I've looked at the signature and it is not mine. There is one letter wrong in the surname which completely changes the name - so the person who signed for it must've misheard the name.

I've tried contacting ebay by phone but ended up with someone in Manila who couldn't understand what had happened and I gave up.
I'll be going to the sorting office tomorrow. I've informed the police because I believe my neighbour has signed for it.
I know some may think I'm jumping to conclusions but I live in a place where it cannot be anyone else. Plus I saw the postman with a parcel heading next door on the day I should have received the item.
I haven't approached the neighbours on advice from the police (who sounded interested and have asked me to contact them next week with an update from RM).

My question is, how do I proceed with ebay? they won't let me open a case until the 19th.
I haven't had to open a case before so any constructive help is appreciated.

To clarify I think my question is how do I open a case which doesn't reflect badly on the seller?

soolin

You will probably lose any eBay or PayPal claim as seller protection kicks in if seller can show delivery (no sig required for items under £150) to the address supplied by PayPal.
It seems odd though to automatically assume your neighbours are thieves on the basis of seeing the postman go there with a parcel and I am surprised the police showed any interest.

Delivery signatures are a difficult area, for instance my legal name is not the one I use most of the time, so depending on the company sending me items , I could easily sign in one name when it was addressed to me in my other name.

Personally I would be working with the seller here to try and work out what has happened and if necessary try to talk to the Royal Mail about the delivery. I'm assuming this was special delivery due to the quick delivery, somRM may be able to help you.

OneYorkshireLass

I can understand why people would think it was odd to automatically assume my neighbours are thieves but if you were in my location with my experience you would know why.

The person at ebay told me that there would be no problem with a refund - which is when it all got a bit odd (she kept repeating the story but kept getting things completely wrong) and I gave up.

The seller has given me all he can. He posted the item, has a tracking number, the item has been signed for at the time the postman is, 9 times out of 10, in the neighbourhood. I'm unsure how you think I should 'work with the seller'? What else can he do?

*edit* Just been reading somewhere else that the onus is on the seller but what can he do about it?

soolin

The seller has given me all he can. He posted the item, has a tracking number, the item has been signed for at the time the postman is, 9 times out of 10, in the neighbourhood. I'm unsure how you think I should 'work with the seller'? What else can he do?

*edit* Just been reading somewhere else that the onus is on the seller but what can he do about it?

The onus is on the seller to provide tracking details that show delivery. Seller can do that, so should win any claim you raise against him. That's why I suggested you work with him as if you both ask RM to check out delivery it must be better than just you trying to get it sorted.

Just as a start confirm seller sent it to your correct address.

OneYorkshireLass

soolin wrote: »

The onus is on the seller to provide tracking details that show delivery. Seller can do that, so should win any claim you raise against him. That's why I suggested you work with him as if you both ask RM to check out delivery it must be better than just you trying to get it sorted.

Just as a start confirm seller sent it to your correct address.

Thanks
He did send it to the correct address.

chancesare_2

Your best bet is via the delivery office, dispute the delivery with them.

You will lose an ebay claim.

pinkshoes

I do find it very odd you didn't just speak to the neighbour first!

My next step would have then been to contact the postie that did the delivery as he'd probably remember the parcel.

Also, of you saw the postie carrying the parcel, surely they tried your door first, which you must've also seen? (Or heard the bell?).

eyelinerprincess

Pinkshoes - I've had a couple of neighbours in the past that I wouldn't want to knock on their doors, and from the OP's post, it looks like they are the same.

I'd suggest going to your local PO to see if the postie can remember the delivery.

TrickyWicky

Gotta be honest from my POV it would have been easier to simply put a brave face on and knock on the door. Obviously though that isn't always possible with some people who are intimidating etc.

OneYorkshireLass

Thankfully it has been sorted.

The postie remembered delivering the parcel and they've retrieved it from the neighbour. It did have the correct address on it and RM have admitted it was their fault (so no, they didn't knock on my door first).
The neighbour signed for it, not in their name but in the name they thought the postman had said. I doubt I would have got it back had I gone round there myself. The police are still interested, as it's fraud/theft, but I don't really think it will help our precarious neighbourly relations if I pursue a case against them.

campdave

Glad you got it sorted, hopefully your Postie won't do that again.