Are sellers allowed to request a parcel be returned before delivery?

phdwho

Just got an email from yodel's trustpilot customer service team (the email address they offer in response to terse trustpilot responses). Apparently a return to sender request was applied in error while the driver was out on his rounds. I mean, really? Does that happen? Seems like a very odd error to make and how would it happen?

MorningcoffeeIV

That's a simple one.

Wrong button pressed.

powerful_Rogue

phdwho said:

Just got an email from yodel's trustpilot customer service team (the email address they offer in response to terse trustpilot responses). Apparently a return to sender request was applied in error while the driver was out on his rounds. I mean, really? Does that happen? Seems like a very odd error to make and how would it happen?

Ask them?   

RefluentBeans

So now the conspiracy is that not only does the retailer claim to not have made the request, it seems like Yodels involved and complicity in the cover up! 

Being serious - someone at an office somewhere probably typed in a slightly incorrect code (O instead of 0 or something) and recalled the wrong item. Does it happen often? No. Is it possible, during Christmas rushes for it to happen? Absolutely. 

phdwho

ElefantEd said:

Which company was it? And more importantly, which boardgame?

The courier was Yodel, the retailer was/is Zatu Games, and the game is called 'Apiary'. 

phdwho

MattMattMattUK said:

phdwho said:

MorningcoffeeIV said:

phdwho said:

Entirely possible and I have contacted them. But I thought it wasn't allowed to do this? Once something gets posted, isn't that too late?

To correct a mistake?

No.

If you've ordered a tablecloth and they've sent you a hamster, they won't just ignore it 

Unless the package is obvious (hamster trying to chew its way free) then how would the courier know? 

The courier will often be able to cancel a delivery before delivery. Couriers will also sometimes return packages which are particularly damaged and/or leaking (of course other times they will deliver an empty, torn open box). It does not make sense that you appear to be so confused by the possibility of a delivery being cancelled.

phdwho said:

powerful_Rogue said:

My guess is that you purchased at a super cheap price.

It was reduced in price, according to the listing. I should check to see if that listing is still available. If that's the case, it surely bolsters the argument agianst sellers calling back orders. That's super unethical. Be that as it may, they offered to ship a replacement, as I said. Perhaps that's why they never followed through. It's possible I guess, but then all the more reason to just refund me which was what I asked when I rang them up to tell them the delivery had gone awry.

No, it does not. You seem to be trying to synthesise some kind of conspiracy when there is unlikely to be one. 

Except the retailer has not claimed they recalled the product and Yodel are denying that it was recalled for any other reason than seller request. So yes, there is a 'conspiracy' of some kind; I suspect Yodel damaged the parcel in some fashion and are covering by saying the seller requested it. Otherwise the seller would be better off just saying so, it makes no sense to do otherwise. 

RefluentBeans said:

phdwho said:

powerful_Rogue said:

My guess is that you purchased at a super cheap price.

It was reduced in price, according to the listing. I should check to see if that listing is still available. If that's the case, it surely bolsters the argument agianst sellers calling back orders. That's super unethical. Be that as it may, they offered to ship a replacement, as I said. Perhaps that's why they never followed through. It's possible I guess, but then all the more reason to just refund me which was what I asked when I rang them up to tell them the delivery had gone awry.

But you said the retailer claims they are unaware of this happening? Does this not make you think maybe, just maybe, the retailer is unaware and that it’s the courier that have unilaterally decided to return the item either because it’s damaged (either by them or entered the network damaged); or for some other reason (like the postage label becoming unreadable). 

I don’t think we should always take that companies will do the right thing always, but I doubt there’s a conspiracy to deprive you of a board game, even if it was reduced. If the price was stupidly cheap, and it was missed, I genuinely don’t think a company would go to the effort of recalling the board game. Maybe for something else like a £5000 computer being sold for £1 or something, but for a board game, even if it was basically given away for free, it wouldn’t be worth the hassle. 

Of course if you paid for next day delivery you should get a refund, and if they have the game still in stock you should ask for them to send a copy of the game out to you again (assuming you want it). But I genuinely doubt there’s a conspiracy against you. 

You misunderstand, I'm not saying there's a conspiracy to deprive me of a game. I'm saying exactly what you are saying: the courier screwed up, compromised the parcel rendering it undeliverable, and are forthcoming about it. Unfortunately if they dont tell the truth then the retailer won't be able to process a repalcement/refund until that parcel returns.

EnPointe said:

phdwho said:

MorningcoffeeIV said:

phdwho said:

Entirely possible and I have contacted them. But I thought it wasn't allowed to do this? Once something gets posted, isn't that too late?

To correct a mistake?

No.

If you've ordered a tablecloth and they've sent you a hamster, they won't just ignore it 

Unless the package is obvious (hamster trying to chew its way free) then how would the courier know? 

because the Seller recalls it  having discovered the issue   as part of their  daily  audit etc 

That isn't what appears to have happened, at least according to the seller

Alderbank

You are obsessing about B2B issues between the seller and the byzantine maze of subcontracts which the seller has taken on to get the goods to you. This isn't helping you or your case.

You have no consumer rights around how the seller chooses to get your game to you. Your consumer rights say only that the seller must get the goods into your physical possession in reasonable time. Nothing about how they have to do it.

Stay focussed with the seller on that, and that only.  

RefluentBeans

Alderbank said:

You are obsessing about B2B issues between the seller and the byzantine maze of subcontracts which the seller has taken on to get the goods to you. This isn't helping you or your case.

You have no consumer rights around how the seller chooses to get your game to you. Your consumer rights say only that the seller must get the goods into your physical possession in reasonable time. Nothing about how they have to do it.

Stay focussed with the seller on that, and that only.  

100% agree with this. The rest are just technicalities. Personally I would go to the company who sold it to you and say it appears to be on the way back to them, can they send another one out to ensure it’s here for Xmas etc (assuming it’s a Christmas present). And again, if you paid for NDD, then request that is refunded as they haven’t fulfilled that. 

ElefantEd

Yes, although Zatu have a poor reputation when it comes to pre-orders, for items they have in stock they seem fine, and deal with issues reasonably well. I would definitely contact them. Their free shipping threshold is very low, I seem to recall, which is why they use Yodel, the cheapest (and arguably worst) of the delivery companies.

Good choice of game though, Apiary arrived for me the other day (from BoardgameHut, they had a very good deal last week), it has been stashed awaiting Christmas.

DullGreyGuy

phdwho said:

MorningcoffeeIV said:

phdwho said:

Entirely possible and I have contacted them. But I thought it wasn't allowed to do this? Once something gets posted, isn't that too late?

To correct a mistake?

No.

If you've ordered a tablecloth and they've sent you a hamster, they won't just ignore it 

Unless the package is obvious (hamster trying to chew its way free) then how would the courier know? 

They say the seller recalled it so its not the courier finding a hamster chewing its way out but the sender getting a call from a customer saying they were expecting a hamster and have received a board game and they've realised they've mislabeled the two parcels