Is it possible to get proof of postage when refusing an item an returning it to the sender?

mickael28 · Post by **mickael28** » 11 Aug 2016, 23:58

Hello,

I bought an item I needed and my wife bought it as well online, the seller of the online item accepts returns so we were thinking about just crossing out our address and writing Refused-Return to Sender on the box.

What we were wondering is... can we get some kind of proof of postage in this case? or how does it work if the seller doesn't get it back for whatever reason and we didn't get it either as it was returned?

Thank you!

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 12 Aug 2016, 08:22

The simple answer is no.

IIRC "refused - return to sender" is what the postie would put on it if you refused it at the door. The postie can't issue a proof of sending.

If you go the Post Office, they are only supposed to issue a proof of posting for items which are correctly paid for. From Royal Mail's point of view, this item would have been delivered correctly & in good faith, and would not come under the list of things which they are obliged to return for free, so it has to be paid for. That said, some PO clerks would just do it for you for a quiet life and / or because the training on these things is non-existent.

If it fails to get back to the seller and you have no proof of posting then the seller is probably under no obligation to refund you.

You should refer to the seller's returns policy.

mickael28 · Post by **mickael28** » 12 Aug 2016, 21:35

Snaggletooth wrote:From Royal Mail's point of view, this item would have been delivered correctly & in good faith, and would not come under the list of things which they are obliged to return for free, so it has to be paid for.

Thanks!, but how can a customer Refuse a parcel if the postman just delivers it when one is not at home? ie, without the chance to Refuse it with him at the door... Royal Mail delivery it correctly because I was not at home, otherwise I would have not accepted it.

Is there a correct way to Refuse it now? or just put "Refused-Return to Seller" in the parcel and leave it in a postbox is the best option?

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 14 Aug 2016, 23:42

mickael28 wrote:... or just put "Refused-Return to Seller" in the parcel and leave it in a postbox is the best option?

You could do that, but you won't get a proof of posting that way, and there is no comeback if it gets lost, damaged or if Royal Mail refuse to carry it to the destination.

mickael28 · Post by **mickael28** » 15 Aug 2016, 00:19

Snaggletooth wrote:...or if Royal Mail refuse to carry it to the destination.

Trying to understand the rule, but why would Royal Mail refuse to send it back if it's totally unopened, like the way a postman brought it? I'd say most people are not at home when items get delivered, so how can they used the 'Refused-Return to Sender' in those cases if required?

bogstandard · Post by **bogstandard** » 15 Aug 2016, 10:09

there will be no record of it being refused. You can only put it back into the system via box or TSO or front office, the postie has to record the item as refused, something you cannot do. If the seller accepts returns why not just return it as duplicate (which it is) rather than this way.

mickael28 · Post by **mickael28** » 16 Aug 2016, 09:42

The seller accepted returns but they had sent the item when I contacted them already, so it was up to the customer to send it back.
I just tried for the 1st time putting it back into a postbox, we'll see.
Thank you guys!