Need advice- high value item signed for but not delivered

[dr_shiva29]

Hi All,

I sold an item to someone on a forum for £350 and the item was sent by me via RMSD by 1pm next day on Tuesday 10/Dec/2013. The buyer made prompt payment and came across as a genuine person throughout our communication. I sent the tracking number to the buyer so that he can be aware of the process and collect the item when it is delivered.

However, this morning (after 2 days), the buyer contacted me saying that he has not received the item but the status update shows as delivered. I checked the tracking status and it did specify the buyer's name as the recipient but the signature was a scribble.

I contacted the Royal Mail customer service who checked and confirmed that the item was delivered at the correct property and that they might not be able to do anything. But they did open an investigation and asked to call back on Monday.

The buyer lives in a farm and confirms that no one in his place has accepted the delivery and also mentioned that his postcode is quite 'largish' so potentially the item was delivered to someone else who lives in the same postcode. But why would someone else then accept it if it is not addressed to themselves!

I do feel a sense of responsibility and have ensured that communication between us is open and effective. Can anyone advice what can be done in this situation? Are there any possibilities to get the item? Any advice would be welcome.

[fishtank]

If the signature was obtained using a handheld digital PDA Royal Mail will be able to tell the exact location using GPS of the PDA when the item was signed for.
If they are telling you it was delivered as addressed then that is the case and someone at the buyer's address signed for it.

[arnold cheshire]

Hi All,

I sold an item to someone on a forum for £350 and the item was sent by me via RMSD by 1pm next day on Tuesday 10/Dec/2013. The buyer made prompt payment and came across as a genuine person throughout our communication. I sent the tracking number to the buyer so that he can be aware of the process and collect the item when it is delivered.

However, this morning (after 2 days), the buyer contacted me saying that he has not received the item but the status update shows as delivered. I checked the tracking status and it did specify the buyer's name as the recipient but the signature was a scribble.

I contacted the Royal Mail customer service who checked and confirmed that the item was delivered at the correct property and that they might not be able to do anything. But they did open an investigation and asked to call back on Monday.

The buyer lives in a farm and confirms that no one in his place has accepted the delivery and also mentioned that his postcode is quite 'largish' so potentially the item was delivered to someone else who lives in the same postcode. But why would someone else then accept it if it is not addressed to themselves!

I do feel a sense of responsibility and have ensured that communication between us is open and effective. Can anyone advice what can be done in this situation? Are there any possibilities to get the item? Any advice would be welcome.

his postcode is quite largish ? what a joke

[dr_shiva29]

Hi All,

Thanks for your advice. The mystery has been solved:

The buyer visited the delivery office with his concern and was promised a response in 1 day mainly because the postie who delivered it was not available. Within an hour, the postie calls the buyer himself and mentions that he left the parcel "behind a plant pot at another property" and promised to re-deliver it tomorrow morning. Within an hour of the call, the postie delivered the parcel himself.

Without dissecting into what exactly went wrong, I am glad that the parcel has been received by the right person and in perfect shape!