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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for help re Ebay buyer saying item wasn’t in envelope

127 replies

Rainraincloud · 14/01/2021 23:22

What do I do here? Item was sent signed for with Royal Mail. Buyer sent me photos with the envelope looking like it had been cut open.
I don’t believe the buyer and will contact Ebay.
Buyer messaged asking for a refund.
Any advice apart from speaking to Ebay?
Thanks

OP posts:
SoLongFurlough · 14/01/2021 23:24

If the envelope looked like it was cut open why would you sign for it?

FairyontopofthetreeBatman · 14/01/2021 23:25

Does your posting reciept show the weight of the parcel?

HOS8595 · 14/01/2021 23:30

@FairyontopofthetreeBatman

Does your posting reciept show the weight of the parcel?
This...
Whammyyammy · 14/01/2021 23:31

Unfortunately ebay will side with the buyer always do

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 14/01/2021 23:31

SolongFurlough... exactly. The buyer has said things can’t be signed for due to covid and that it was put through the letterbox.
I don’t believe him.

OP posts:
Northofsomewhere · 14/01/2021 23:32

I don't think royal mail are actually allowing people to sign for items (the postie will sign/say delivered) and I guess if they got several items of post that day it's possible to miss it. And I have had package/envelopes opened by royal mail before presumably to check the contents were correctly marked. So it's possible they aren't lying that that item didn't arrive.

What you need to work out is where your responsibility ends, is it once you post it with royal mail (with proof of postage) or once they receive the item? If the latter then you will probably have to refund, if the former then probably still a refund but reclaiming the value from royal mail.

HOS8595 · 14/01/2021 23:33

@Rainraincloud

SolongFurlough... exactly. The buyer has said things can’t be signed for due to covid and that it was put through the letterbox. I don’t believe him.
The last time I had to sign for something the post man actually did it himself after he handed me the parcel.

He may not be lying about it being posted through the letterbox.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 14/01/2021 23:33

I’ll see if the receipt shows the weight.
I’m sure it will.
I think the buyer has cut it open but it’s very frustrating as will Ebay still side with the buyer?

OP posts:
mymindminecraft · 14/01/2021 23:33

They aren't taking signatures here on Royal Mail. They knock and leave the parcel or post through. I believe the postie is signing for them.

A good idea to check your receipt to see if the weight shows ?

SoLongFurlough · 14/01/2021 23:33

Like Whammy said ebay will always side with the buyer
Can't see royal mail delivering an empty ripped envelope - what was the item?

HOS8595 · 14/01/2021 23:35

eBay will side with the buyer though....

As far as they will be concerned the buyer didn’t receive his/her item.

You will have to claim back via Royal Mail.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 14/01/2021 23:36

Exactly... the postman would surely not deliver a ripped envelope. I’m 99% sure the receipt shows the weight.... will this help?

OP posts:
HOS8595 · 14/01/2021 23:37

@Rainraincloud

Exactly... the postman would surely not deliver a ripped envelope. I’m 99% sure the receipt shows the weight.... will this help?
Iv received parcels before that have been damaged and had half the contents missing so it’s possible.

For all they know there is a bit of paper in that padded envelope ....

Scarlettpixie · 14/01/2021 23:43

Responsibility of getting the item to the buyer rests with you. It doesn’t matter if you prove the envelope was the correct weight, you should refund the buyer and take it up with royal mail.

Why would you just assume the buyer was lying. Packages get damaged in transit sometimes.

mymindminecraft · 14/01/2021 23:44

Well the weight shows you posted it and sometimes saying something like that can put off a scammer. But unfortunately ebay will side with the buyer as the item has to reach them.

Sadly Royal Mail delivered a ripped envelope to my parents, whether the contents was taken or accidentally fell out when torn, who knows. It wasn't worth anything to someone else, but my elderly parents were confused getting a torn envelope, but they said Royal Mail had put a sticker on it, I'm sure they said it said something on it.

Have you asked for a photo of it ??

Zararose9x · 14/01/2021 23:51

eBay will side with the buyer. You will need to complete a claim with Royal Mail and they will compensate you for the loss of the item. You just need to provide evidence of cost of item, proof of postage, and the damage.

Sometimes I’ve just said ‘ok no worries have contacted Royal Mail and am going to need to pass your details on so they can investigate’, and then sometimes the item ‘turns’ up the next day. So worth a try!

EndoplasmicReticulum · 14/01/2021 23:51

If Royal Mail deliver a ripped envelope they put it in another plastic bag with "sorry we mangled your mail" owtte on it.

TobyCarvery · 14/01/2021 23:55

90% of people claiming the post man has stolen their mail are lying/chancers/dishonest. My husband is a post man and he and his colleagues work very fucking hard, they get paid relatively ok for an 'unskilled' job and they don't need to steal your shit, they can afford to buy their own! They are also far to busy to go about cutting envelopes open with knives/scissors etc to see if there is any goodies inside, also why would they then deliver it! It boils my blood when shitty people use this excuse for their own shitty behaviour.

I like Zararose9x's advice about sending that message to your buyer. eBay will no doubt side with them unless you can prove the weight of the parcel. PayPal are usually really helpful if you can prove that and have proof of postage too.

ChocShot90 · 15/01/2021 00:00

I've received an anniversary card ripped clean in two before that has been delivered by the royal mail in an apology bag. I've also posted a gift to a friend (posted directly from a post office) in an envelope and it had been slit at the top when it arrived and the gift taken out. I heard they have a lot of temps during Christmas who can sometimes be known to steal, not sure if this is true or not and may not have been the case this year because of covid. I've complained before but nothing has come of it. The buyer could be lying, but he might also be telling the truth if it was sent over the Christmas season or just afterwards

To ask for help re Ebay buyer saying item wasn’t in envelope
Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:01

TobyCarvery- Absolutely, my experience of postmen is that they are great and very careful.
I just don’t believe that the postman delivered a cut open envelope.
I think the buyer is chancing it. I have sent a few messages saying that I will speak to Ebay and that I will also send details of this to Royal Mail to investigate.
I will phone Ebay tomorrow. Any more advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
SonjaMorgan · 15/01/2021 00:02

eBay won't always side with the buyer in this type of case. You should contact eBay and see what they say. I had a similar case and they sided with me.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:02

Chocshot- it was sent in the last week
Thanks

OP posts:
OliviaKeeling · 15/01/2021 00:04

Tell your buyer you'll be investigating with Royal Mail. As a delivered item so obviously tampered with needs investigation; it could be a dodgy postie (unlikely) or buyer is lying.

Whythesadface · 15/01/2021 00:05

I got a parcel today. The rain had hit one end and it was totally open.
Not even sure if anything was missing, could you get him to call the post office to see if anything was missed.
Also sorry, but your going to have to repay and claim it back from Royal Mail.

petshihtzu · 15/01/2021 00:07

When my parcel was damaged by Royal Mail, it was delivered in a clear plastic bag with a sticker on it saying something along the lines of “apologies for the condition...”.

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