PO Receipt and/or Certificate of Posting?

Steve059

I've just been looking through my current collection of PO certificates of posting (as you do) and I'm confused.

The latest one doesn't show how much I paid, so if (God forbid) the item gets [STRIKE]stolen[/STRIKE] - sorry, lost - it's no use to claim the postage.

I also have a couple of receipts, which do show the amount paid. One also says, "It is important that you retain this receipt as it is your proof of posting". On the other one, this is conspicuous by its absence.

The above certificate of posting also says that it's a receipt. But for how much?

Confused? Join the club.

It could give the perception that these are deliberately incomplete in one way or another, so that they are probably no use if and when they're needed 'in anger'.

So, what should you ask for when posting an item?

PS. Yes, I know that you can send stuff Signed For, Recorded Delivery, etc., but this would cost many times more than the value of the items in my case.

Flyonthewall

Does it show the weight and how it was sent? If so, they can work out the price from the weight and method sent by.

Bit odd that it doesn't show that though. Do you go to different post offices and some give different receipts? Or maybe it's just that one PO that doesn't print them right.

jwil

I write my own pop and get them stamped when I drop off. That doesn't say how much I've paid either.

It's never been an issue on the odd occasion when I've claimed. As mentioned above, if it says the weight and service they will know the cost anyway.

mrcol1000

I used to use drop and go but don't anymore as I send so little via Post Office.

They still let me use the manifest to save having to do separate receipts.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/dam/pdf/drop-and-go-manifest.pdf

Steve059

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Does it show the weight and how it was sent? If so, they can work out the price from the weight and method sent by.

Bit odd that it doesn't show that though. Do you go to different post offices and some give different receipts? Or maybe it's just that one PO that doesn't print them right.

Yes, they usually show the weight, etc, but this one doesn't. After my nearest PO tried to short-change me and an item I posted there got "lost", I now use the one close to my usual supermarket. I usually recycle the receipts/COPs when I get feedback from the buyer, thereby confirming successful delivery, but I'll now save them to see if there's any pattern. I'm cursed with an enquiring mind.

I'll also try asking for both a receipt and a certificate of posting and see how much confusion this creates.

Flyonthewall

Steve059 wrote: »

Yes, they usually show the weight, etc, but this one doesn't. After my nearest PO tried to short-change me and an item I posted there got "lost", I now use the one close to my usual supermarket. I usually recycle the receipts/COPs when I get feedback from the buyer, thereby confirming successful delivery, but I'll now save them to see if there's any pattern. I'm cursed with an enquiring mind.

I'll also try asking for both a receipt and a certificate of posting and see how much confusion this creates.

You should keep the receipts for longer anyway. Feedback means nothing if the buyer opens a case (which they can do even if feedback has been left and is positive). It does not confirm delivery, only a tracking number showing delivery does that.

Steve059

Flyonthewall wrote: »

You should keep the receipts for longer anyway. Feedback means nothing if the buyer opens a case (which they can do even if feedback has been left and is positive). It does not confirm delivery, only a tracking number showing delivery does that.

A good point.

And why do I suspect that eBay would find in favour of the [STRIKE]thief[/STRIKE] - sorry, buyer - even if the feedback contained a comment about the item.

Flyonthewall

Steve059 wrote: »

A good point.

And why do I suspect that eBay would find in favour of the [STRIKE]thief[/STRIKE] - sorry, buyer - even if the feedback contained a comment about the item.

A positive comment and then a case opened doesn't always mean the buyer is a thief. They may have bought more than one of the same item or left feedback by mistake while leaving it for other items and then realised they don't have that item. If they're expecting two items in one package and they get a package they may leave feedback for both then realise the second item is missing (silly to leave feedback without checking first, but bound to be some buyers who do).

There may also be an odd one where another family member has taken in the parcel, left feedback and the person who actually ordered it has no idea and thinks it's gone missing. Having proof of postage and saying feedback has been left could help resolve the issue faster. They can see it was posted and they should know they didn't leave the feedback so hopefully they'd ask family about it.

I'd guess that most of those who are trying to scam a free item by saying INR when it has been don't bother to leave feedback and most cases open after feedback has been given are probably item not as described cases. Still, better to be safe and keep receipts for longer just in case.