I sold item in online auction, not yet recieved. I have CoP, best course of action?

Subterranean · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:23

Hi, I've been selling a few things in online auctions through the bay, but for the first time someone has come back to me saying they havn't recieved the item yet. I sent it out on the 6th oct and its now 14th so I can see why the buyer might be getting worried. I have the Certificate of Postage here and the value of the item is well within the 100 x first class max compensation so I'm not too worried.

Basically what would be the best course of action? I'm especially interested to hear from others that have been in this situation. I have no reason to doubt the buyer but of course he could be lieing.

Should I just send off another item and try to get compensation from royal mail? How difficult is that process? any information you can give will be very helpful.

Ace Modder · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:26

Was the delivery recorded? ie. Signed for? And Royal Mail.

Bear in mind there are RM strikes ongoing at the mo.

antijoke · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:28

Just wait longer. Royal Mail are having severe problems it seems at the moment.

DB_SamX · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:45

Wait longer...

Le_Petit_Lapin · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:48

Best course of action would be to put your certificate of postage in the bin and forget about ever getting your money back.

z0mbi3 · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:49

Ace Modder said:
Was the delivery recorded? ie. Signed for? And Royal Mail.

Bear in mind there are RM strikes ongoing at the mo.

Strike's not till the 22nd is it?

OP, I think you're within your rights to ask the guy to wait until Royal Mail would actually declare it lost. At that stage you need to issue a refund and pursue a claim with RM.

PhillyDee · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:51

There are still massive backlogs in Royal Mail. Even though it is going to annoy the buyer, you have to wait until Royal Mail says that it is lost. This is 15 working days after the item was supposed to be delivered.

Subterranean · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:53

Thanks for all the advice, I'll let him know to wait a bit longer. Hope it is just a backlog and not actually lost.

gjrc · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:55

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Best course of action would be to put your certificate of postage in the bin and forget about ever getting your money back.

+1

Breeze · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:59

Tell the buyer Royal Mail requires 30 days before an item can be declared lost. In the mean time it may turn up. If not go get a claims form from you local post office fill it out and post along with you COP. Wait about a month an RM will send you a cheque.

PhillyDee · 14 Oct 2009 at 14:59

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
Best course of action would be to put your certificate of postage in the bin and forget about ever getting your money back.

Just seen this . . . . It is usually required by Royal Mail to claim the cash back. They will still pay out without it, but are less likely to pay out the full amount. As far as eBay and Paypal go, it means nothing. This is because until the buyer receives it, the ball is in your court.

Vonhelmet · 14 Oct 2009 at 15:32

I've claimed once for a lost item and once for an item damaged in the post. It takes a while but it's pretty easy all told.

Destination · 14 Oct 2009 at 16:04

They've probably stolen it, or posted it to a riverbed or such other actions as may be taken to help swiftly clear a backlog without actually working.