HELP, i was only thinking the other day that i should send stuff recorded.....just had an email to say something hasnt arrived - what do i do?

[Orchide]

sorry if this has been asked before...am in a bit of a panic...
Just got an email from winning bidder of an item that 3nded 3 weeks ago saying it hasnt arrived.... damn... was only thinking the other day i shluld start sending recorded!

Auction ended on early on the morning of 31st October, i sent it later thatt same day. sent second class but have the certificate/proof of postage.

as 3 weeks have passed i think i have to assume its lost or should i leave it a bit longer? What do i do now?......

email buyer apologising, reimburse their bid via paypal and then claim somehow?

Contact Post office. If you have certificate of postage they can look for it for you

you need the buyer to sign the claim form that the royal mail will send them so I would offer 50% refund now and 50% when you get refunded from royal mail. Sorry but we have been ripped off by many buyers who can't be bothered to sign the form (or were just lying in the first place)

the certificate of postage is only like a reciept though, was not recorded delivery with a tracking/reference number. It only shows weight and cost of what was sent and they write the postcode at the bottom. They wont be able to use that...surely?

cargirl - how does theclaim process work - do i need t get a form?

yes that is your proof that you posted it - the counter staff are supposed to put on the house number & postcode you just need to put it on instead - I think you will get about £28 back - or less if it sold for less, they will ask for proof of it's value so you send them a print out of the ebay page to show what you sold it for. They will give you that plus actual postage cost (not the P&P you charged)

The certificate of postage is your proof that you posted an item. It covers an item for loss up to £34. You do not need to use recorded etc.

When you claim from Royal Mail, make the claim yourself, enclose cert of posting and enclose copy of email from buyer saying that they have not received item. I have had a few items go missing during the strikes and that certificate has always been sufficient.

Make sure you check Roayl Mail website for time limit for item to be "lost" for the class of postage you used.

Get form on internet site.

Roayl Mail have always paid me out on claims. It is freepost to send stuff to them anyway.

PS they won't bother trying to trace your item. It is impossible given volumes.

thanks all for yur help,

have checked out RM website and they need 15 working days before it isdeemed lost, just emailing buyer now.