Ebay purchase lost in post - AIBU?

[hatesponge]

I use Ebay v infrequently - in about 5 years I've bought about 10 items, so really not that familiar with the procedures etc.

So, I bought something on Ebay a few weeks ago. Cost (inc postage) nearly £13.

I paid by Paypal. Seller advised item was sent at end of March, second class.

A week or so ago, it hadn't arrived - contacted seller who said wait a week.

Still no item, contacted seller again. Response was, well I've sent it, I don't know why you didn't receive it. I'll refund you £10.

To which I was a bit as the cost was a bit more than that. OK only a few pounds but it doesn't seem fair to me - or AIBU to expect all my money back including postage?

You are quite entitled to open a case through Paypal and you will receive a FULL refund. The seller will need to prove that not only did they post it but also that you received it to. The seller should have covered his own back by obtaining 'proof of posting' at the Post Office. With that he can then claim compensation from Royal Mail. Ultimately it's Royal Mail that lose out as they are the ones that lost the parcel so they have to pay out.

Thanks - seller has said they didn't get proof of posting...does that make any difference?

yes it does, in paypals eyes that means he cant prove he sent it so it means he has to give you a full refund, postage and all!!

Makes no difference. Raise a dispute with PayPal.

Stars worded that better. That's what I meant!

Well if he didn't get proof of posting then that's his tough luck. I sell a lot on ebay and I get proof of posting with everything I send. As well as having unscrupulous sellers there are also a lot of people who claim not to have received items. I have been stung by them so many times. I really don't think Royal Mail lose as much as what customers/sellers claim.

You should click into the 'Customer Support' tab at the top right of the page and then into ' Resolution Centre'. You can then open a case against the seller.

Also, the seller can't give you negative feedback either so don't worry about that.

Well that's the stupid seller's problem, not yours. Open a dispute with Paypal and you will definitely get a full refund. And give them a neg on them too - that's crap.

Thanks - I've opened a dispute now and said I want a full refund.

Tis annoying tho as I'd much rather have the item itself!

Thunderbolt - you wouldn't offer a refund if the item didn't turn up?

Really? Blimey - I think that's really bad. It's your responsibility as the seller to make sure it gets there and if you're stupid enough not to get proof of postage, you don't make the buyer take the hit.

(I don't mean you're stupid, I mean the seller in this case)

hatesponge Did you check at your local delivery office to see if they were holding it there? If it was a large item that wouldn't fit through the letterbox the postman may have taken it back. The Postman may have run out of 'calling cards' to let you know he'd tried to deliver the item. Might be worth dropping in there to see if they have it.

No I haven't - will try it though. Didn't think the postman might have not left a card (definitely too big to fit through letterbox).

Go up in person to your local sorting office and ask. They will deny having your parcel but then it will mysteriously turn up at your door the very next day. This has happened to me at least 3 times now with "missing" parcels.