Proof of posting vs recorded delivery

[notcitrus]

Can someone explain the difference? I used to send all ebay stuff rec del (extra 72p postage) as I thought it was the only way I could get money back if the item got lost in the post (my items never sell for more than £30).
But then I was told you can get up to £36 back with a 'proof of posting', so I started just asking for that instead.
The main post office does them as printed receipts, but either prints or writes the postcode on that the parcel's going to. But te local PO just gives me a receipt and claims that's a proof of posting, even though it only has the date and price on, no postcode to prove where I sent the item to.

So am I covered for anything that gets lost? And are my local PO doing it right? I don't really trust them as whenever I ask for say 2nd class recorded they say "that was first wasn't it" or if I say first they say "so special delivery, that's £X..."

Finally just moaning that items over 1 kg can't be send 2nd, so as I used too much sellotape on a parcel today, had to send it 1st, so lost money on p+p, and it went for much less than I'd hoped, too. That'll teach me to end an auction on a Friday night...

If you want protection from paypal as a seller you need it recorded as you need on-line trackable proof of delivery not proof of postage.

What the PO is giving you is proof of postage though.

Is there much point in Paypal protection if I can get my money back from the PO if the buyer claims the item wasn't delivered?

I've never had to claim money back - I know you fill in a P58 form, but how long does it take after that?

After you fill out that form they send something to the buyer to confirm that they haven't received and when it happened to me the buyer didn't return it meaning I lost out on £32. I still send cheaper items by normal mail but anything more than about £15 I send by recorded delivery.

I've been selling quite a lot recently, and initially I just obtained proof of postage from the Post Office. However, I had a fair proportion of my stuff never arriving - allegedly. I had to refund each time and then claim from the Post Office. The PO did always pay up, but it's a hassle, takes a while (4-8 weeks? ish) and always worried me.

I've recently changed to sending everything recorded. The buyers don't like it very much - they keep marking me down on P&P even though I am absolutely not making any profit on it - but lo and behold nothing has gone missing since. I don't know whether this suggests that my buyers initially weren't telling the truth, or whether the PO takes better care of recorded delivery items, but either way, it has been a lot less hassle.

A tricky one, I think, but just go for what you're happy with.

I'd never sell anything without paying extra for the recorded delivery. I'm surprised by how many items I receive that are posted without requiring a signiture. Maybe most people are honest, but the dis-honest few put me off.

Notcitrus - I cant believe that you think its right to claim compensation from Royal Mail because a buyer 'alleges' they havent received the goods. Why should Royal Mail pay?. This must be happening all the time - no wonder Royal Mail is in such a state financially!

bonneville - I didn't say that at all! Think you mean Oxcat.

I was asking the difference because I couldn't see how proof-o-p covered you without proof of destination - still confused as to whether it guarantees your money back. Don't mind waiting 6-8 weeks but if it's reliant on the other person returning a form, think I'll stick to recorded for allbut the cheapest items.

Be careful as some things are not covered as you would expect.

I had to return a watch to Swatch for repairs recently but because it could be classed as "jewellery" it wouldn't have been covered for its full value under recorded delivery.

In the end the PO woman advised me to send it just with proof of Postage because at least that way I would be partially covered.

Notcitrus - my apologies!

Bonneville: You probably did mean me.

This is all before using Recorded delivery. When I posted an item, I always obtained proof of postage. I had a couple of buyers saying that items never arrived. As the seller, it is my responsibility to refund them their costs, and then I have to claim from the Royal Mail as when I post something I have entered into a contract with them that they will deliver it. I used the term 'alleged' because I became slightly dubious about how often this was happening - I think it is just possible that some buyers receive the item and then claim non-arrival so that they receive both the item and the refund. As the seller you have to believe them and Ebay will always find in their favour so easiest all round just to refund if they claim it never arrived.

I don't quite see what I've written to upset you?

Im not upset lol but i do find it tiresome when Royal Mail gets criticised for losing millions? of items. I genuinely believe that a lot of these missing items are ebay "non-receipts", so really not missing at all IYSWIM. It does annoy me however that Royal Mail seem to pay out on so many claims of non receipt which are really not genuine.

Well that was exactly the point I was making?! I'm not convinced they were missing either, but other than a quick question or two I have to believe the buyer if they tell me they didn't receive it, even if I am a bit suspicious. That's why I've moved to sending everything recorded - much less hassle and worry for me, and cheaper for the Royal Mail, if not for the buyer.