Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

lost parcel

18 replies

nickstmoritz · 04/06/2014 20:24

I sent a parcel 1st class with proof of posting cert but buyer has not received it. Buyer has asked neighbours & checked sorting office and was good enough to ask me about it via "other" not opening a not received case. I have obviously offered a refund. I realise I have to claim with RM but is there any chance the parcel will come back to me eventually - eg buyer missed it at the sorting office? It is now 8 days since I posted it 1st class. Item was really nice and I will lose out as I can only claim up to £20 and it went for £36 plus £8 P&P

I sent normal 1st class post as that was already £8.90 so I didn't send recorded (I know! ..sigh) Haven't claimed with RM for a missing parcel before. Does anyone have advice for a successful claim? Also is there any faint chance it will still be delivered or is that not going to happen now?
Thanks

OP posts:
AndHarry · 04/06/2014 21:07

Royal Mail only deem a parcel lost 15 days after it was sent so it could still turn up.

I got a cheque for the full value of two parcels that went missing (both sent at the same time), even though the contents were worth more than £20.

Butterflyspring · 04/06/2014 21:53

next time send Hermes instead - will be covered up to £50 then and anything below 1kg costs £2.98 to send, and £4 if 2kg.

Did you put a return address on it? The buyer may have received it but with no tracking you will never know if they are lying or not.

Original poster
nickstmoritz · 04/06/2014 22:08

Yes it did have a return address on it. Yes obviously I have to rely on the honesty of the buyer in this situation really as I didn't send tracked. I will look at using a courier for larger or heavier parcels in future. It's not something I have done much but it does seem to make sense and Hermes does seem to be recommended a lot on here.

OP posts:
Butterflyspring · 04/06/2014 22:55

how heavy was it to cost so much to post? Seems really expensive.

You don't need to use a courier for just larger items - it is cheaper than RM for smaller items too.

PurpleFrog · 05/06/2014 09:41

Hmm - I am afraid I send anything over approx £15 recorded within the UK, sometimes less if it is a particularly nice/unusual item.

I have tried both MyHermes and CollectPlus for the first time in the last few months, as both now have "outlets" in convenience stores in my small town. Both were quick and easy. CollectPlus seemed a bit more "professional" as everything was done electronically in the shop, whereas for MyHermes I just got a hand-scribbled receipt that didn't include the parcel number.

Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 09:53

Hermes email you the tracking info at the point of payment - when my courier collects the parcel I sign for them or he leaves a card.

Original poster
nickstmoritz · 05/06/2014 12:47

It was heavy - a pair of boots in a box. Unusual, hand crafted made in Argentina, sought after make.... :( I won't send anything untracked again!

OP posts:
Original poster
nickstmoritz · 05/06/2014 13:21

Last week The Argus revealed the Royal Mail has paid out more than £700,000 in compensation for providing a second-rate service in Sussex over the last five years.

Hmmm...wonder if this sheds light on the problem. You can guess where my parcel was destined for.

OP posts:
Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 14:09

I don't suppose the buyer has listed them - or someone local to her has?

Items being lost is in my experience very rare - buyers claiming not to receive an item which is untracked is very common. I don't trust RM - signed for very rarely never obtains a signature - MyHermes or CollectPlus tracked all the way through the delivery plus much cheaper too.

Original poster
nickstmoritz · 05/06/2014 14:14

Buyer seems really nice & genuine. And yes, I have very rarely had an item go missing before. Thanks, I will def look into courier next time.

The item was pretty unique so it would be really obvious to me if I saw them on ebay but I guess they could be sold on elsewhere.

OP posts:
Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 14:20

but not everyone who lies about an item not arriving is nasty and rude though are they?

OwlCapone · 05/06/2014 14:26

And not everyone is a liar.

Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 15:15

I didn't say they were - but the chances are an item is not lost, but the buyer has received it an now wants to claim back their money fraudulently. And without tracking a seller always has to refund. Which is why you need to send everything tracked - which is part of the terms of ebay/paypal anyway.

Original poster
nickstmoritz · 05/06/2014 17:16

Yes I know. I do try and keep my postage down as much as possible which is why I didn't send signed for but do realise that in this case that was a mistake.

My buyer has been nice enough to not open an item not received case and all her comms have been friendly. I am happy that it is a genuine issue with RM and will fill out a claim. I think someone dodgy would have hassled me more for a refund earlier tbh

OP posts:
Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 17:19

and that is why I send MyHermes - would have been half the price of what RM charge and above all, tracked.

lostmymarblesbutfoundthewine · 05/06/2014 17:38

signed for with RM is not tracked. you have a signature to say it's been received but if it gets lost the actual items not tracked. best bet for that is special delivery but. then if gets expensive. larger heavier items probably better off with parcel force

Butterflyspring · 05/06/2014 20:06

which costs loads more than Collect plus or Hermes. And RM don't always bother with a signature - that is my main gripe with them. You pay for proof of delivery and they very often don't provide it.

Original poster
nickstmoritz · 05/06/2014 21:31

I think parcel force is mega expensive as I recall

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page