Time Sensitive -v- Courier

Sandtree

Returned an item to an overseas merchant who's T&Cs and local legislation give a finite number of days for the return due to "change of mind". Paid for a 48 hour delivery which would have meant that they'd receive the goods almost 2 weeks before the end of the return window.

Would have been fine were it not for the fact UPS have no idea where the parcel is/has been for 3 weeks... there are multiple scans per day but they are contradictory and all state they are in London (inc the "cleared customs" etc). They now say they think they've found it and it will be returned to me within 21 days.

So I will have the goods, assuming it does turn up, that I do not want and the merchant has already said the return window is closed so cannot return them. Presumably just own loss to bear as UPS never "guarantee" a delivery timescale?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

EU or somewhere else?

visidigi

There's no guarantee of delivery date, but there is a duty of care. If they repeatedly scanned it in the network and it didn't move that's not excusable imo (as opposed to it not being scanned for weeks and then turning up).

I'd be tempted to claim from UPS in any case, depending on value you may find they settle for their failings.

user1977

I doubt any couriers cover you for more than a refund of the delivery fee if they fail to deliver on time.

Sandtree

user1977 said:

I doubt any couriers cover you for more than a refund of the delivery fee if they fail to deliver on time.

They'll have failed to deliver at all, not just on time... its allegedly on its way back to me but hasnt been scanned since the 22 Oct despite them saying they found the parcel on 29 and so it may end up being a lost parcel (which obv changes things but was considering if they return it to me in late Nov as they state).

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

EU or somewhere else?

Outside

visidigi said:

There's no guarantee of delivery date, but there is a duty of care. If they repeatedly scanned it in the network and it didn't move that's not excusable imo (as opposed to it not being scanned for weeks and then turning up).

The scans just dont make sense/arent in a logical order... so you have an "attempted delivery, recipient refused" scanned in London one day and the following day "Cleared Customs" also in London, then on the same day "attempted delivery, recipient unavailable" followed by "awaiting customs invoice, sender contacted" (all London too).

user1977

Sandtree said:

user1977 said:

I doubt any couriers cover you for more than a refund of the delivery fee if they fail to deliver on time.

They'll have failed to deliver at all, not just on time... 

Same difference. You're entitled to a full refund of their fee (assuming they don't also lose the item).