Can one get Tracking with Freepost?

mgdavid

I have to return an item Not as described.
Seller has provided a Freepost address and will do full refund after return of item..
I know ebay rules make the refund dependent on tracking info being available, so can it be done, if so does anyone know how?
(I tremble at the thought of asking my local sub-PO as have had so much duff info from them in the past).

adandem

You can have recorded delivery which would cover you depending in value. You would just pay for this part of the service.

mgdavid

value under £20 so that'll be perfect - thanks :-)
:T

marking_bad

adandem wrote: »

You can have recorded delivery which would cover you depending in value. You would just pay for this part of the service.

I was told differently, freepost is not a physical address and gets sorted differently to standard mail. Therefore it can't be sent recorded (signed for) as there is no one at the other end to sign for it.

For it to go 'signed for', you need a physical address and need to pay the full postage. Some freepost addresses have a physical address too, but that didn't stop my local post office refusing to send my item freepost-recorded.

However many have said they get away with just paying the extra amount for recorded while maintaining the free part of the freepost. Tbh, I don't think the staff at the post office/royal mail sing from the same hymn sheet.

You can try your luck of course, but just be aware there may be problems and/or you may have to pay the full amount.

custardy

marking_bad wrote: »

I was told differently, freepost is not a physical address and gets sorted differently to standard mail. Therefore it can't be sent recorded (signed for) as there is no one at the other end to sign for it.

For it to go 'signed for', you need a physical address and need to pay the full postage. Some freepost addresses have a physical address too, but that didn't stop my local post office refusing to send my item freepost-recorded.

However many have said they get away with just paying the extra amount for recorded while maintaining the free part of the freepost. Tbh, I don't think the staff at the post office/royal mail sing from the same hymn sheet.

You can try your luck of course, but just be aware there may be problems and/or you may have to pay the full amount.

You were told wrong.
All Freeposts have an address. Either via collection at the DO or on delivery.
Either method allows for signatures to be obtained.

marking_bad

I've had both an experienced lady at a town centre post office, and a lady on the royal mail phone tell me that freepost can't be sent recorded. But others have said what you have said, that it is fine. It's pretty ridiculous, tbh, someone reprint the hymn sheets please.

The woman on the phone gave me the royal mail freepost as being an example of not being a physical address.

FREEPOST, PO Box 740, Barnsley, S73 0ZJ

Looks physical to me :undecided Is it the PO Box part?

custardy

marking_bad wrote: »

I've had both an experienced lady at a town centre post office, and a lady on the royal mail phone tell me that freepost can't be sent recorded. But others have said what you have said, that it is fine. It's pretty ridiculous, tbh, someone reprint the hymn sheets please.

The woman on the phone gave me the royal mail freepost as being an example of not being a physical address.

FREEPOST, PO Box 740, Barnsley, S73 0ZJ

Looks physical to me :undecided Is it the PO Box part?

PO box is simply an RM reference number.
Freepost simply means RM take a note of the item and bill the company that own the freepost.
If you whack the postcode into a sat nav then it will likely take you to the delivery office.
However it doesnt matter.
PO box mail is either collected or delivered. So a sig can be obtained either way.

frank777

Why not ask for a free certificate of postage at the Post office, that's your proof of despatch and should satisfy ebay. Value under £20, if the item is lost in the post the seller would claim compensation from Royal Mail.


''I've had both an experienced lady at a town centre post office, and a lady on the royal mail phone tell me that freepost can't be sent recorded''


So ask for a free certificate of postage, any problems you were advised that you are not able to send to Freepost by recorded. It would help if you made a note of the lady's name at Royal Mail and make a formal complaint to Royal Mail and get a free book of stamps for your inconvenience.

soolin

frank777 wrote: »

Why not ask for a free certificate of postage at the Post office, that's your proof of despatch and should satisfy ebay. Value under £20, if the item is lost in the post the seller would claim compensation from Royal Mail.


''I've had both an experienced lady at a town centre post office, and a lady on the royal mail phone tell me that freepost can't be sent recorded''


So ask for a free certificate of postage, any problems you were advised that you are not able to send to Freepost by recorded. It would help if you made a note of the lady's name at Royal Mail and make a formal complaint to Royal Mail and get a free book of stamps for your inconvenience.

In this instance for their paypal/ebay refund buyer will need proof of attempted delivery - ebay will not act merely on proof of return via proof of posting.

martindow

soolin wrote: »

In this instance for their paypal/ebay refund buyer will need proof of attempted delivery - ebay will not act merely on proof of return via proof of posting.

But the OP could claim from RM using the original Ebay transaction as evidence of the value couldn't they and let the Paypal payment stand?

marking_bad

Oh, that's the other thing I was told, freepost items aren't insured. Not even for the standard £20. You have to pay to get compensation.

There's another bombshell waiting to be disputed.