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ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

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parisparis100
Posts: 1
Joined: 11 Oct 2013, 19:21
Gender: Female

ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

Post by parisparis100 »

Hi everyone,

Hope this forum can help, would be really grateful if anyone who has had the same experience come forward.

I recently bought an item on Amazon which was faulty, then posted it back to the seller's address with the returns forms and paperwork and amazon bag. I then got the package BACK to me which has been opened, and the item taken out/stolen. The amazon paperwork and bag are still inside the package, so whoever took the item must have grabbed it out. There is also writing from Royal Mail (it seems) on the package that says 'return, item damaged'. It was sent via normal mail, with no tracking information and I unfortunately didn't keep the receipt.

I hate to say this but it looks like clear theft to me, as the item didn't even leave my local depot and was returned empty to me!

I am filing a claim but it seems to be an extremely lengthy process that makes everything more difficult. Has anyone had this happen before, and did you successfully get a refund for the item's value from Royal Mail even though it wasn't sent via recorded or tracked delivery with the value stated?

Thanks so much!
DGP1
Posts: 15551
Joined: 07 Jun 2007, 20:39
Gender: Male
Location: Terminus

Re: ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

Post by DGP1 »

Sometimes packets fall apart and things fall out, I personally see it all the time (especially with Amazon), I've found books loose in the packet yorks but if you find the empty wrapper you can put it together and into a damages bag, theft is very rare (afterall would a thief just take everything and leave no evidence?).
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harry84
Posts: 181
Joined: 12 Dec 2012, 20:12
Gender: Male

Re: ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

Post by harry84 »

parisparis100 wrote:Hi everyone,

Hope this forum can help, would be really grateful if anyone who has had the same experience come forward.

I recently bought an item on Amazon which was faulty, then posted it back to the seller's address with the returns forms and paperwork and amazon bag. I then got the package BACK to me which has been opened, and the item taken out/stolen. The amazon paperwork and bag are still inside the package, so whoever took the item must have grabbed it out. There is also writing from Royal Mail (it seems) on the package that says 'return, item damaged'. It was sent via normal mail, with no tracking information and I unfortunately didn't keep the receipt.

I hate to say this but it looks like clear theft to me, as the item didn't even leave my local depot and was returned empty to me!

I am filing a claim but it seems to be an extremely lengthy process that makes everything more difficult. Has anyone had this happen before, and did you successfully get a refund for the item's value from Royal Mail even though it wasn't sent via recorded or tracked delivery with the value stated?

Thanks so much!
Do you have proof of postage?

Was a prepaid returns label supplied by the vendor or did you write the address and post yourself?
NewPostieUK
Posts: 2104
Joined: 06 Jan 2008, 21:38
Gender: Male
Location: SickAsAChipLand

Re: ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

Post by NewPostieUK »

How do you know it didn't leave your local delivery office?

Why are you assuming theft? I see things fall apart everyday and contents all over the place from poorly packed stuff, (especially it seems, people returning goods to eBay and Amazon).

Was the address correct? Even an empty box would be delivered to the address, it wouldn't be returned to the sender.

Why would Royal Mail write 'return, item damaged'?

Maybe the Amazon Seller refused it as it was damaged or missing?
TeeferTiger
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 2783
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 13:56
Gender: Female
Location: Welsh Wales

Re: ROYAL MAIL THEFT - PACKAGE RETURNED EMPTY

Post by TeeferTiger »

They assume theft cos things couldn't possibly just fall out/be separated from the packaging for any reason other than that, obviously! :roll:

I had a lady complaining over the phone that someone had tried to steal from her mail, she even sent the item back with the OPG to give to me! It had been torn by a machine at the mail centre by the looks of it. It wasn't opened, just torn at one corner and nothing could've been removed from the envelope (which didn't contain anything other than paperwork). Some people are just very paranoid and neurotic :crazy:
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