What do you think of this buyer? How would you proceed?

[SlightlyMadSuperhero]

OK. Heres the story, sorry its a bit long..

LIsting an item for SIL, but forgot to change item location to her postcode (small item, to be posted didn't think I needed to TBH).

WIns auction Sun night. E-mails to ask if he can collect it on Tues night as he will be passing (is not local). Has not asked prior to bidding if he can collect. There is no indication in the listing that we will 'accept' collection. He has assumed he can collect it at a specific time.
We reply explaining we don't have the item locally, and would not be in on Tues evening anyway.

He says he wants to collect as he has no funds in paypal until Thurs, but would pay cash on collection. We offer him the option of paying within 6 days by paypal (after his next auction ends to provide funds; or refund on an identical phone which was not as described), or collect after Weds(when SIL will have posted item to us)

Funds appear Fri am, item posted Sat am (as we didn't get payment message until after work Fri).

Tues he e-mails asking if we posted as he hasn't received. We reply saying yes, give it until Thurs, if not arrived we would chase Royal Mail

Postal tracking confirms attempted delivery Weds am. He e-mails to say postman tried to deliver something, would not be able to get to post office until Sat

He has e-mailed today with the following message "Hi, did you pay the postage because I'm not happy having to pay it to you and pay it at this end."

Have you ever heard of being able to post a recorded delivery parcel without payment FFS? Of course it was payed for.

Any suggestions as to how to procede? Currently getting he a copy of the postal slips e-mailed.

DOes nayone think he is just being difficult just cos he couldn't collect?

I really can't see how he would have had to pay anything. If it was weighed at the post office then there is little room for error.

i would be tempted to ring his sorting office - it should be easy enough to find - maybe ring Royal Mail customer service, explain and give them his address and they will be able to tell you the number of his sorting office. It should be down on their records how/when/etc it was collected and all details that go with.
being forearmed with the info should put you in a better position if he contacts you again.

Could he have had the parcel delivered to his local PO? That is usually 50p - and if this is the case, you certainly aren't liable

Well the message from him today is as follows:

"Hi, I picked it up but I had to pay for the postage because they said nothing had been paid at your end. I find it hard to believe that someone would just put it in the post without paying especially when it was sent "signed for" but they still made me pay".

The track and trace states "we tried to deliver the parcel at X time". I would have thought if postage hadn't been paid they would have sent him a card saying postage was not paid and that he would have to go to PO to pay and collect. I.e. there would be no way a postman would attempt deliver to his address as the postman would have no payment facilities.

Will contact royal mail with the tracking details and see if they can provide more info on any fees paid/not paid/extra fees paid...once we have that info I will ask for evidence he has paid I guess.

I don't want to give refund on principle...but equally don't want neg feedback

my latest plan here comments please