Don't use eBay Drop Off at Argos. They cost me £56.

taxiphil

eBay Drop Off at Argos is a fairly recent venture between eBay, Argos and UK Mail.

As a seller I thought I'd try it out after seeing it advertised on eBay while I was creating my listing.

I posted a parcel at my local Argos and paid for their standard Next Day Delivery. A few days later the buyer contacted me to say he hadn't received the parcel. I entered the tracking number onto the UK Mail website but it said "No Results Found." I then emailed UK Mail who told me the parcel never entered their chain - in other words Argos never gave it to them. Because it never entered their chain I can not make a claim for the item.

I returned to the Argos store to ask them if they'd given the parcel to UK Mail and they said they "must have done" (although I'm not very convinced by this - the lad who originally processed the parcel fumbled around on the computer for 15 minutes and admitted he'd never done it before and hadn't had any training in how to do it). Argos say they can't compensate me or do anything further to help because my contract is with UK Mail and not Argos.

So, two companies in a partnership are both completely blaming each other for the missing parcel. I've had no choice but to give the buyer a full refund of £56.

My opinion is that legally Argos are liable because they sold me the delivery service through their till system and took my money. But it's hardly worth the hassle of a small claim for £56.

An absolute joke and a disgrace. Please don't use this service.

RFW

Have you a receipt from Argos?

Personally I'd write to Argos at their head office with details of the store.

I don't know how the sending and compensation works, but I tend to know before I send something of value. Keep at it to get compensation.

theonlywayisup

You left the parcel with Argos. If you have no receipt you need to go back to the store and deal with the manager.

soolin

I thought the idea was that they gave you the normal receipt- just like any other drop off point- and that covered you?

The FAQs aren't clear, but they do talk about using your tracking number after you have dropped it off at Argos, which implies Argos should give the tracking number. I would have assumed that was on the receipt you were given when you bought the postage, OP do you still have that receipt?

pinkshoes

taxiphil wrote: »

But it's hardly worth the hassle of a small claim for £56.

If £56 is not worth the hassle, then I would gladly have £56 if you have some more money going spare?

Of course it is worth chasing.

Go back into store and kick up a fuss!

jason909

I agree return to the store or copy and paste what you have written here and send to the CEO.

soolin

jason909 wrote: »

I agree return to the store or copy and paste what you have written here and send to the CEO.

I think OP still needs to confirm what he has done with the receipt before any real advice can be given. You don't just leave these parcels on the counter, the sender has to pay and receive the tracking details- plus a receipt for the money paid at the very least.

mrcol1000

If you handed over a parcel without any paper proof that you handed it over then you only have yourself to blame.

coffeehound

I've been a buyer in that situation, parcel disappeared off the radar. I did the due diligence at the collection store with no success. The seller eventually sent another.

taxiphil

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Yes, Argos gave me (1) a copy of the delivery label showing the buyer's address, tracking number and delivery date, and (2) a till receipt for my payment.

It's strange how the tracking number doesn't exist on UK Mail's system but it was definitely generated. Maybe the tracking numbers only become "live" at the moment the parcels are collected from the store by UK Mail? I have no idea how these things work (and I don't think the staff in Argos know either).

I will keep up the pressure on Argos and will update this thread accordingly.

soolin

taxiphil wrote: »

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Yes, Argos gave me (1) a copy of the delivery label showing the buyer's address, tracking number and delivery date, and (2) a till receipt for my payment.

It's strange how the tracking number doesn't exist on UK Mail's system but it was definitely generated. Maybe the tracking numbers only become "live" at the moment the parcels are collected from the store by UK Mail? I have no idea how these things work (and I don't think the staff in Argos know either).

I will keep up the pressure on Argos and will update this thread accordingly.

Right, you have a receipt from Argos so it is their issue - insist they deal with it. Social media is often a good way of getting their immediate attention.