Refunding people...what would you do?

[Headpiece]

Hi All

I sold a DVD recently, not expensive - only £15 or so and posted it off, and it hasnt turned up with the buyer. Stupidly, I didnt get proof of posting for it, I got fed up waiting in the post office that long I just wanted to get out of there!

Do you think I should refund all the money to them, all the money except postage charges (which I paid) or not refund? Of course I only have their word it hasnt arrived, and they only have mine I posted it!

 

[Angelbones]

How long ago did you post it? Some of my ebay stuff has taken 2 weeks recently. If you got a receipt from the post office that is your certificate of posting. If it has been a couple of weeks then I think you'll have to refund them, postage and all, as really you should have got the certificate and then taken it up with the post office, on behalf of the buyer, but obviously now can't so they lose out. Sorry but I think that's what you should do.

I bought a pair of expensive boots on ebay - they didn't turn up and the seller's husband had got a receipt but hadn't marked the boots up at their sale price so they were only covered for about 1/4 of their value. Fortunately the seller refunded all the money back to me - when in fact she didn't have any proof I never received them. Sometimes you've just to be the good guy

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Few years ago now, but I bought a sheepskin numnah for £70 off Ebay. It didn't arrive, so seller sent me another one and asked if the orginal one arrived, I would send it back. Really appreciated that.

 

[HollyB66]

If I was the buyer and the item was not delivered I would expect to get a full refund, including the delivery costs. My contract would be with you and if you don't supply the item I would not expect to pay for anything. Your contract was with the Royal Mail and it was your responsibility to get a receipt of postage (which is free - but you needed to ask for it).

Sorry, I know that is not what you want to hear, but when you sell something you do have to fulfill your side of the bargain. It's not the buyer's fault it didn't arrive - but it could still be in the postal system with all the issues they are having.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

The Royal Mail doesn't consider something lost until 21 business days (not weekends or bank holidays) has passed so with the weather we have been having, it may turn up. I received a cheque from a customer sent on December 10 today. They are in Glasgow where the brunt of the bad weather has been.

If you sent it from a post office, your till receipt will be your proof of postage and you will be able to claim back from the Royal Mail after 21 working days has passed.