postage liability

[chevy57cruisin]

Can anyone tell me if I post a registered parcel ,do I have to refund  the purchase price to buyer if it gets lost

[curraone]

I understood that the point of registered parcel is that loss should be covered by Aust Post

The buyer has not got his item, you have not delivered it, you cannot prove delivery - so yes the buyer should get his money back. JMO

[haolove13]

If you send via registered post and have full address details and the receipt for postage you have filled your part of the bargain so you are not legally liable to refund.

However Australia Post have a lazy delivery system and will "safe drop" in any manner they feel like.

I personnally use  DO NOT SAFE DROP stickers on everything I send as I learnt too late that even registered items can be "safe dropped" by leaving on front doorstep of exposed homes on a main road.

To protect both yourself and the buyer make use of the do not safe drop stickers. and it is a good idea to lodge ordinary parcels as well as that gives you both better protection.

A registered post item is supposed tobe covered up to $100.00 for loss but getting compensation for items is quite difficult.

[bettyboopsadaisy]

If you post using Registered mail, you DO have 'proof of posting'. When you lodge the parcel and register it, you,the sender get a PO stamped slip whI ich has on it, the recipient's address, the tracking number and the date of posting.

This postage option, is the only one that gives you the cover you need to claim for loss from PayPal and to prove to ebay that you did actually send the item, if the buyer claims they did not receive it.

Up until now I have always made Registered post the choice of the buyer but I've now realised that the seller is left vulnerable without using this option.

I was planning to make it the only postage choice for my listings but since it adds more cost on top of what is already expensive postage (especially since the last Aust post price hike at the end of March), it would make my sale items less attractive to prospective buyers AND of course, come May 6, it will add to the amount I am paying in FVFs, since postage will be factored in to the calculation of fees when the new fees policy begins.

Its all a matter of personal choice - are you prepared to take the risk on safe delivery or perhaps you prefer to cover yourself at a higher cost to you and the buyer.

[curraone]

but the OP says the item is lost

[pricelessbooksandrecords]

Had this problem, the seller sent registered but NOT INSURED (contrary to my request) a $900 item, I never received the item in my PO BOX: never received, never signed for ! Guess what 'happened? I had paid with PayPal, nevermind they would not cover the loss (so much for 'buyer protection', this important fact must be kept in mind), Australia Post reimbursed me something like $100 and the seller....the difference ! One for you to ponder...

[haolove13 · Accepted solution]

I am aware of what the original poster said.

The rules on Ebay /Paypal are that you need to provide proof of postage. If you can do that you do not have to refund (although I once had to fight 5 claims for a fifty dollar item despite having all the relevant documentation)

I have suffered a similar problem with three items worth almost $ 1,000dollars.

One item was sent registered post to an Australia Post employee who has an arrangement to "safe drop" on the front doorstep of a unit on a very busy main road. Because the item was safe dropped there was nobody who signed for the item and no proof if the item was stolen or if the buyer just pocketed it and made a claim.

I no longer have the item, the money or a reputation. It still does not show as any more than leaving the post office where I lodged it 18 months ago. I was offered 15 dollars compensation.

The address the item was sent to is recognised by my circle of friends as (I remember having a problem with that buyer)

That is why I am offering the suggestion on ways to avoid it happening to others.

By using "do not safe drop" stickers, paying for insurance if the item is valuable enough and lodging all items at the post office you can hopefully avoid the same occurence.

Also as a slightly off topic info.

In this household this month sales on Quicksales 2 Ebay 1

[2106greencat]

It should transpire that neither buyer or seller is out of pocket.

Seller proves they posted

Buyer proves not received as regsstered requires signature.

Buyer should be refunded by paypal from paypal (that's why paypal charge a commissiion on money recevied by sellers). Pretty sure they should have enough in their kitty to cover this one.

As a seller though, I think you have to inititate the investigation for non delivery with AP ? don't think the buyer can do that.

[letscleanupmycupboards]

I didn't think you could safe drop a registered or signature item. It is called signature on delivery for a reason.

I believe if the receiver has so e such arrangement in place the liability falls on them and them alone.

[*crikey*mate*]

weell, they're not supposed to - but - this is Australia Post we are talking about.