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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:
Diverseduvet · 15/01/2021 00:08

Any items damaged in the post should come in a clear plastic bag, with an apology sticker from Royal Mail. Just like if your suitcase gets smashed up during transit when flying. When you get it back it will be wrapped in plastic.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:17

He has sent me photos. No plastic bag or anything. The envelope cut open- which I’m sure he will have done.
So if no plastic bag/ damaged note, will Ebay side with me?
Thanks

OP posts:
Ariela · 15/01/2021 00:21

As the recipient has received it, then it is down to you to prove (with receipt /proof of postage paid) that the item was in the parcel when sent, and they should claim from Royal Mail.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:22

Thanks- I’ve just looked and the receipt shows the weight so I’m hoping that’s enough?

OP posts:
nicebreeze · 15/01/2021 00:27

@Rainraincloud

Thanks- I’ve just looked and the receipt shows the weight so I’m hoping that’s enough?
How heavy was it! Enough to know it was definitely inside when you posted it?
Northofsomewhere · 15/01/2021 00:31

Surely the recipient can't claim from Royal Mail as it was their contract with them and they have no proof that this was the parcel sent. It would be up to the seller to claim and reimburse the customer and claim from Royal Mail. If you order an item online from Next, you raise a complaint with them for non-delivery not their courier. This is the same, the buyers contact is with the seller who took a contract out with Royal Mail to deliver.

No one know how eBay will decide, all you can do is provide your evidence of postage however I don't think you have enough evidence to prove their lying about delivery.

What is the value of the item? Would it really be worth the risk to their account being banned? I know some people will do anything to save 50p but would it really be worth it?

Northofsomewhere · 15/01/2021 00:33

Sorry, so many spelling mistakes - that's what you get for typing laying down.

It wasn't their contract. And they're lying about delivery.

sandandseashores · 15/01/2021 00:33

It's your responsibility to get it to the buyer. Royal Mail acts on behalf of you - not any problem for the buyer, they don't have to engage with you working with your sub-contractor. If they choose to go to ebay, PayPal, credit card company or eventually court - you have too prove they got the goods.

Simple really - do you have the buyers signature, if not, you need to refund. The next door neighbour, postie or anyone else doesn't count BTW. Your agent decided to leave it with the wrong person in these cases.

curlymom · 15/01/2021 00:37

If the item is suppose to be signed for the post office sometimes take a picture of the delivery instead of signing. If that comes up in proof of delivery online, it should show how the parcel was delivered

SetRisk · 15/01/2021 00:38

Can you check and see if the buyer lives in a single family occupancy house rather than somewhere shared like an HMO?

pelosi · 15/01/2021 00:41

Yes the RM post people are taking pictures of delivered parcels here too, it would be great if you could get a pic.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:43

sandandsea.... they said they got it but the item was not inside. Photos of envelope cut open.
It wasn’t left with neighbours or anything
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:44

Does anyone know how I go about getting a photo from Royal Mail ie is there an easy link to Royal Mail to deal with all this?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Enough4me · 15/01/2021 00:47

In my experience Ebay will side with them and you will have to claim from Royal Mail. It's up to you whether you do this or just move on and know that unfortunately some buyers do this sort of thing.

Bmidreams · 15/01/2021 00:49

How much was the item?

purplebagladylovesgin · 15/01/2021 00:52

I received a small parcel/ large letter last week and it had been slit half open on one edge. It was one of the grey plastic type seal bags. Luckily the contents had not fallen out, they so easily could have.

It looked like machinery had slit it so you never know, it might have happened in transit.

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:53

Bmi dreams... I’d lose just over £10 so not a tragedy but it’s the principle of the thing.
I have 100% feedback on the site and always send things securely so very frustrating that someone does this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:55

purplebag.... there was no plastic bag mentioned or in the photo so I can maybe hope there’s a chance that Ebay side with me....

OP posts:
caringcarer · 15/01/2021 00:55

Was item very heavy as if so that proves you posted something?

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 00:57

The item was not heavy but the receipt shows the weight...

OP posts:
HelpMeh · 15/01/2021 00:58

Royal Mail and Amazon currently dump all my packages on my completely exposed doorstep. They ring, dump and run so if I'm not home my goods get to sit there all day. I really don't appreciate it.

I wouldn't assume buyer is lying and ebay will side with them anyway.

evenBetter · 15/01/2021 01:01

Royal Mail have their letters in bundles with elastic bands, in rain, the paper obviously disintegrates, the electric band makes it even worse, was the packaging just a piece of paper or an actual cardboard covering? No signing for anything happens now, so it was pretty stupid of the seller to send it ‘signed for’, special delivery would have been more effective, but only if they bothered to package the item properly. Only shitty courier companies photograph stuff upon delivery, so no, postal staff don’t have cameras to record that,

evenBetter · 15/01/2021 01:07

curly the post office doesn’t deliver anything, it’s a completely separate company to Royal Mail. Who was photographing your deliveries?!

Original poster
Rainraincloud · 15/01/2021 01:08

evenBetter... special delivery would be really expensive in relation to the item. The item was in some padded plastic as well as the envelope

OP posts:
Guiltypleasures001 · 15/01/2021 01:17

Hi op

I sell lots of watches on eBay also buy as well

Sadly I've had ripped,open envelopes del to me, 2 watches were taken from a Jiffy bag just before Xmas

People also send watches out in silly white env which obviously people work out the contents and slit them open

You can claim your money back from the mail, it's simple
This happens a lot sadly

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