What do I do - buyer says my item didn't arrive (first time this has happened)

[feeltheforce]

Help - I am fairly new to ebay and just my luck I have an unhappy buyer.

He has contact me and asked where an item is. I sent several on the same day in the first week of February from the same post office. All of them arrived OK judging by feedback except his. I guess he is going to want a refund but then I am out of pocket (for the item and for postage and the cost of a padded envelope). I did get a proof of postage - does this give me any position of strength?

You could file a claim with post office, how long ago did you send it and what was value of item?

you will have to refund then claim for lost item with royal mail. An item is considered lost after 3 weeks so you could ask them to wait a little longer or check at sorting office first.

this is why recorded/courier is required, you have no way of knowing if an item is received and you leave yourself open to buyers claiming not received. Your buyer may be telling the truth - but you will never know.

Thanks. Can I still make a claim if I just have proof of postage as opposed to recorded delivery (which they buyer didn't want to pay for)?

It only adds up to £10 but it's still my £10. I do wondered if he is having me on.

yes you can still make a claim. If you had sent recorded you would have proof of delivery so a buyer could not claim not received and wouldn't win a case and get their money back.

There is no reason to believe he is having you on. I recently had something not arrive - things sent by the seller on the same day did arrive, mine did not.

I also recently posted three things on one day. Two arrived and one did not. (and that one was to my mum, so I believe her!)

You cannot assume just because other items got there that this one did too.

Yes you are right. I have just never experienced anything go missing before.

Do you think I should wait until the post office have searched for the parcel or just immediately refund him?

It is possible that the item has been genuinely lost in the post.

I mailed two parcels to the same address on the same day (birthday presents for friends twins who always fight over who opens the joint parcel) - one parcel arrived the other didn't.

You will need to refund and make a claim through RM although I think you will only be able to claim back the cost of the item and not the cost of the postage, but could be wrong on that.

Oh well I guess I had better refund him.