Parcel signed for but contents missing

eastlad

Firstly, I know usually the sender (myself)/courier (Royal Mail) is liable in these instances, but wanted to see how this scenario may differ...

I sent a package to someone on the 6th January, it was delivered (proof from Royal Mail tracking) on the 9th January. Today, 13th January, that person has emailed 2 photos claiming that the package was empty once opened. I checked the data against the photos and can confirm that the photos were taken a whole 3 days after delivery on the 12th. What were they doing in these 3 days and why did it take a further 24 hours to send me the 'proof' of missing goods? Am I still liable or is the recipient (a business) who left the package 'unattended' for 3 days for anything to happen?

Thank you in advance.

Mstty

Incorrect board for this thread have asked it to be moved.

Spoonie_Turtle

Pending moving to the right forum ...

What's the context?  Ebay, independent business, ?

eastlad

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Pending moving to the right forum ...

What's the context?  Ebay, independent business, ?

Sorry, I just click post new discussion, didn’t think to look where it was.

I have sent a phone to a company to be sold/bought from me

km1500

If you sent a phone to a company it could well be a number of days before their mailroom sends it to the right dept and that dept gets round to processing the package.

If it is a reputable company then I think you should accept their assertion that the box was empty.

That means you need to claim from RM (I assume the package was insured or posted using a method that pays up to the [hone value)

TripleH

Do you have the proof of postage showing weight of parcel?

soolin

TripleH said:

Do you have the proof of postage showing weight of parcel?

I’m never sure how helpful weight is for a light item. I tend to overpack, so would bubble wrap and even use other paper wrapping and then a box within a bag, my packaging would weigh more than any phone would and then If using the RM site would choose a weight band 500-1000g for instance . 

GadgetGuru

Any image taken upon delivery to see if the outer packaging was tampered with??

I had this issue once, although it was many years ago! 
Dropped off an Amazon return for a £400 camera - didnt have an Amazon locker code so took it to the store attendant, who seemed very grumpy but took the parcel in. 
Had a refund straight away from Amazon.

A few days later got an email from Amazon stating that they had received a mug and not the camera, and to return the camera if I still wanted a refund!!
Told them I hadn't sent any mug and I sent a camera - they said the package was still sealed and there was a mug inside and that they would re-charge my card if I didn't return the camera. 
I stated I did not authorise them to take any funds from my card and I had returned the camera.
In the end as a gesture of goodwill they wrote the issue off. 

Personally I put this down to that grumpy store attendant. I reckon he opened the package and swapped items, pocketed the camera, and placed a mug in the box before sending back!
Fortunately the store has long since closed down - wonder why!!

This was many years ago now thought. In the current climate with so many scams etc going on it may be harder to plead your case. Stick to your guns though and state you sent the item and that it was tampered with on route to recipient. You may have to just refund the buyer and carry on with the case with the courier - I wouldn't let it drop though, especially if it was an expensive item. 

km1500

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-64296971

diystarter7

soolin said:

TripleH said:

Do you have the proof of postage showing weight of parcel?

I’m never sure how helpful weight is for a light item. I tend to overpack, so would bubble wrap and even use other paper wrapping and then a box within a bag, my packaging would weigh more than any phone would and then If using the RM site would choose a weight band 500-1000g for instance . 

However, in many situations, it can work, ie heavier tiems than a phone, so worth considering as per TripH's idea/question

eastlad

TripleH said:

Do you have the proof of postage showing weight of parcel?

Searching my car for the receipt as I hope it was weighed at other points in its journey through RM to locate where, if, when it was lost