Signed for envelope arrive damaged with contents missing

welshlady · Post by **welshlady** » 17 Dec 2017, 15:04

Hi,

I sold an item on ebay and used 2nd class signed for delivery. My buyer has just been in touch to say that he went to the collection depot and signed for the package, but saw that there was a small hole in the envelope and when opened the envelope was empty. I only ever use new strong jiffy envelopes and the item was also in a bubble wrap. Having sent me photographs of the jiffy envelope, it looks very much like it has been tampered with, there is no way the item could have fallen out such a small hole.

Do RM employ the police when things like this happen as it looks like I am down by £94 due to it being an item of jewelry and not being any fault of my buyer. Any help gratefully received.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Dec 2017, 15:40

Yes contact Customer Service and ask for the Security Desk.

Our police will then investigate the matter. Of course, it may not be the postie and all options will be investigated.

I would also contact the normal police if you believe its theft

welshlady · Post by **welshlady** » 17 Dec 2017, 16:07

Thank you True Blue Terrier, I'll do as you suggest and ring them tomorrow.

Spedley · Post by **Spedley** » 17 Dec 2017, 20:43

I'd also suggest you ensure that your packages are waterproof, especially on the edges. We have to deliver in the rain and there is no way to protect mail from the elements with most spending at least 30 seconds or so exposed. The edges of paper envelopes, even very thick ones, easily rub away leaving holes (Christmas cards are terrible for it).
Even something simple like taping the item to a thin piece of cardboard would help and if possible as a last resort, put the item in a small plastic bag with an address inside it.

TiredPostman · Post by **TiredPostman** » 19 Dec 2017, 23:35

Or it could be the buyer pulling an Ebay scam on you? As selling on Ebay, if the buyer claims it never arrived, arrived damaged, wasn't as described, etc etc - As the seller, you will always lose and they will get their money back.

Quite simply they can send you a picture of an empty / packet they have damaged, then ask Ebay for their money back, and hey ho, the've not only got the item you sold to them... but they also get it for free!

Just in time for Christmas hey.

Luckily you sent it signed for though - So you should be able to claim for upto £50 compensation i believe.

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 23 Dec 2017, 08:01

Cannot claim compensation as jewellery is classed as a valuable. Only special delivery covers valuables.

Other than what has already been said I can only suggest you use the correct level of service next time and absorb the delivery fees to avoid £100+ hits.

Post by **Snaggletooth** » 23 Dec 2017, 10:32

South_London_Postie wrote:Cannot claim compensation as jewellery is classed as a valuable. Only special delivery covers valuables.

Other than what has already been said I can only suggest you use the correct level of service next time and absorb the delivery fees to avoid £100+ hits.

That first sentence is partially true: it depends what the jewellery is made of. Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) and precious stones mark it out as valuable. If it’s just beads then it isn’t classed as valuable, the crucial phrase being “costume jewellery”. The second sentence is spot on though. I have wondered in the past if fraudsters target sellers who don’t seem to know the rules, i.e. they see a seller saying they will send silver by second Signed For and think “I can scam this sucker”.