Royal mail compensation on private sale

kungfumaster70

Hello,

I arranged a private sale with an old friend for a small synthesizer worth £250-£300. I sent it via royal mail with the correct insurance, packaged it very well with bubble wrap and a box.
The item was damaged on arrival and will cost more to fix than replace.
I have contacted royal mail to claim but they say they need proof of sale. The item was a private sale, I have an invoice but no links to say an ebay page?
I'm now concerned they won't compensate me. What can I do?

[Deleted User]

Your friend might be needed to write a statement to that effect. Can you show the value of a new one from a website? I think in cases like these, where an item is damaged but still able to be inspected by Royal Mail, it's simpler to claim than something that goes missing and you can't prove what was in the box. 

Aylesbury_Duck

The invoice should suffice.

Diamandis

Send them what you have, the invoice and any messages between you agreeing the sale.

kungfumaster70

Thanks, I can prove the worth of the item but I'm also concerned as it was arranged over a call to my friend. he would be more than happy to confirm or write a statement confirming the sale, would that be accepted? 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Royal Mail will likely want to see the packaging to show it was indeed packaged according to their requirements. 

How did your friend pay? A screen shot of the payment would show value. 

kungfumaster70

I was due a bank transfer after the goods were accepted, so no money has changed hands at this point?
He doesn't want to pay for a useless item, I was told the cost of repair is more than a replacement item and I'm now out of pocket?

KatrinaWaves

If no money has changed hands you need an alternative way of proving the worth. Any sales on ebay of similar items? It is difficult to say after the fact 'oh well he was gonna pay £X for it'

kungfumaster70

We agreed on a price and created an invoice but as it was a friend I was happy with them paying once they were happy with the item. We sell to each other quite a lot this way but the item has never been damaged before?

KatrinaWaves

kungfumaster70 said:

We agreed on a price and created an invoice but as it was a friend I was happy with them paying once they were happy with the item. We sell to each other quite a lot this way but the item has never been damaged before?

Not trying to be rude but you just keep repeating the same info over and over.

You need to find some way of proving the value. They will not take your word nor your friends word of what they were planning on paying.
I have claimed money back many times using paypal screenshots and all sorts. You should be able to claim but you need to show them the value of the item. How did you decide it was worth £250? Use that info to try and prove to RM that it is indeed worth £250

kungfumaster70

Sorry Katrina,
I can prove the value by other items going for the same price on ebay.
I have a screen shot of three of the same items sold within the last month on ebay, would that be accepted?