Buyer says parcel has not arrived. Hmmmm!

[LadyGoddiva]

I sold something that was low value and within a week of the auction ending the buyer was messaging it had not arrived. It was sent RM 2nd class, so they were only allowing 3 days for delivery. They have now said- a few days later- it's still not come.

I am not sure this is the case but clearly it's my word against theirs. They only have a handful of positive feedbacks in their history.

I know in theory they should wait 3 weeks before I can raise an enquiry via RM but I really don't want any negative feedback.

This is why so many sellers insist on sending recorded delivery these days.

I’ve given up selling on there at all. Far too many scammers & stories of sellers losing out financially.

The item was only a few quid and I didn't list as recorded simply because I felt it wouldn't sell if the postage was more than the actual item!

I don't think I will carry on using ebay any more.

Did you get proof of posting?

The risk you run sending something second class unfortunately. I've had a fair bit of post that's gone missing over the years so actually can believe it when it happens. Your word against theirs and as a seller you are responsible for raising this with post office if it doesn't arrive. If not you'll need to refund. Could just stick on Facebook marketplace in future

I had this but with a cashmere jumper. I couldn't get to the post office due to lockdown so had to use standard postage. The buyer bid quite a high figure quite quickly which rung alarm bells. They them claimed they hadn't received the item. eBay's ruling was against me so presumably the buyer got to keep the jumper and the full refund. There are some tricky people on there and I don't really use it any more.

If you have your original receipt it has a long reference number on it (it’s usually 16 numbers and letters and the format is a block of characters and a dash then another 4 and a dash etc ) and that can actually be used to track the parcel on Royal mails website so you can then go back and tell them it has been delivered and if they are saying it’s not , you can tell them you will open an official investigation with RM and they will interview the delivery person, check photos (RM delivery people now take photos I believe) and the recipient of the parcel and if proven to be a false claim they can be legally prosecuted by RM ( usually it doesn’t get that far as people back down but you do have the support of RM should it need to be taken further)

I send out a lot of 2nd class packages and the threat alone suddenly makes people find them

In fairness, I've got an open claim against a seller, not because I think they were dodgy or didn't post, but because the item never arrived and it's the only way to get your money back. I messaged them first and they said "Christmas, Covid etc, please wait a bit longer", which I did, but then nothing so I opened a claim.

I had this before too. Fortunately I did have proof of posting but the post office don't count it as lost and wouldn't compensate until 30 days. The buyer became quite abusive when I wouldn't refund immediately even when I sent them the information the PO gave me. Under the standard terms I got paid the value of the item and then refunded the buyer. It was genuinely lost in the post. Value of the item was about £10 iirc

I have a similar issue as a buyer! Bought a small item a few weeks ago .Still not arrived ! Felt awful to ask for a refund ,but what to do? I feel sure sender is honest and it has got lost .Only a relatively small amount but I cant lose out every time something goes astray . Only happened once before on Ebay and had to ask them for a refund as it was nearly 20 quid!

I got a refund request this week. Was really annoyed as I have had more than one recently, and was thinking bet this is a scam.
Checked through my Post Office receipts and found the tracking number. It had been signed for. I remembered the address as it was one of those places where there's another twon that's much bigger with the same name, so the postcode looked weird.
Refund request closed.

Some parcels probably go missing but it seems to happen more often with ebay parcels.

Also, people who request a refund but don't return the item. Grrrr!

Even if it's not signed for delivery as @Dogmum40 says there is still tracking. I've used this to prove to ebay items have been sent and they've sided with me.

If you have proof of postage then it's not really an issue, just claim from Royal Mail.

@roses2, the buyer closed the refund request. He had signed for it so shouldn't have opened it. I am glad that i checked. CF.

I have no need to claim from Royal Mail. They delivered it.

Just had another buyer claiming item not received. It has been signed for.
It's almost as if I can sense which items 'aren't received'.

You can report buyers for making a false claim.

Had yet another one of these today.
Branded item, the sort of label you'd search for.
Relatively inexpensive for brand.
Item as described but not wildly exciting.
One month after it was received - just enough time for me to have forgotten about it perhaps.

Always the same pattern.
Reported to ebay.
Left feedback.
CF.