eBay Simple Delivery - Royal Mail parcel marked as 'delivered' but isn't. First steps
Summary: birmi.2015 is seeking advice on a delivery issue where an item sold on eBay was marked as delivered but may not have actually arrived, based on a suspicious proof of delivery photo. They are concerned about compensation and potential loss due to the parcel being insured. boundarycoins suggests checking the GPS location on the tracking and notes that delivery photos can be unreliable. papso22 clarifies that under the eBay Simple Delivery program, the buyer opens a case for the item not received, and eBay manages the issue, including refunds, leaving the seller's proceeds intact.
Hello, I recently sold an item on eBay worth £250. Yesterday, the buyer told me they had been notified their parcel had been delivered, no parcel to be seen, and yet the proof of delivery photo was very suspect (see below)
Also, it was very late for RM standards, around 9pm. I used the eBay Simple Delivery program - from my knowledge, eBay will be the party for me to liaise with to seek compensation as opposed to RM, and as the seller my parcel was fully insured through the Simple Delivery program.
The buyer contacted me about all this and we both agree something has gone wrong during the delivery. How would I go about first steps seeking compensation on my part - the tracking shows it was delivered on eBay so I think the buyer would have a hard time trying to get a refund (just to be clear, I would want them to be refunded too and neither of us out of pocket if the parcel has been lost/stolen).
I am also keeping an open mind, is it possible for a parcel to be delivered 'accidentally'? Though there is a photo so I am thinking maybe not.
I'm a small seller and £250 is a lot of money in these tough times, any advice on what to do next much appreciated. Thanks
sml192
·1 week agoYou are protected under the terms for Simple Delivery if the item is lost or damaged in transit and under the terms of the eBay Money Back Guarantee once the item shows as delivered or delivery attempted.
The buyer needs to open an 'Item not received' claim and try and provide evidence to demonstrate to eBay that the item was not delivered correctly. As you effectively have proof of delivery you will be protected by eBay whatever the outcome.
If the buyer is unable to obtain a refund through eBay then they can try a Chargeback or dispute with their payment provider, if applicable. Payment providers will normally look more closely at the evidence so the buyer will usually stand a better chance of success going that route but best to try eBay first. Again you will be protected by eBay as you have tracking showing delivery.
papso22
·1 week agoYou have misunderstood seller protection with Simple Delivery. The buyer opens a case for item not received and ebay handles everything, including any refund. You do nothing and keep the sales proceeds.
boundarycoins
·1 week agoCheck the GPS location on the tracking. For the buyer to convince eBay, that could be important. I think it is on the buyer to pursue this matter with eBay rather than you.
Delivery photos like that are fairly common. At that time of night the postman was probably in a mad rush as well. It could be a simple as them leaving it in a safe place with no lighting to take a good photo.