First time selling, trying to raise funds, Royal Mail loses package...

[rosako0]

Hi all,

I'm new to eBay. I signed up to try to raise some funds because I'm in a difficult financial position. I managed to sell a collectible that I had second hand for £100. £100 is not a trivial amount of money to me. I read that eBay's courier is horrible and not to use it, so I figured I'd use the trusty Royal Mail, right? Never had anything gone missing.

eBay only listed 2nd class signed for as a tracked RM option, so I went with that and added the tracking number.

We're now 3 days away from the package being considered lost. 

It's incredibly stupid because I normally thoroughly do my research on stuff like this, but there's just been so much going on and I didn't... what is going to happen if the package is lost? I've already learned that RM will refund me max £50. How will the buyer get the money back? I don't have it yet as it's held by eBay. Am I going to be charged? I don't understand how this works since I both lost an item, and didn't get any money from the seller. 

Any clarification appreciated, I'd just really like to hear I won't have to pay on top of the loss of a valuable item...

Also if anyone could tell me how to list items with better delivery options via Royal Mail (like the ones that allow full compensation, special delivery) I'd appreciate it, I didn't know how to add it as eBay seems to only give you certain options. I'm not sure what is best to go for if the courier is so bad.

Thanks

[*guinevere* · Accepted solution]

This isn't what you want to hear, but once your buyer opens a not received dispute you will have to fully refund them. Your funds that are being held will go to refund your buyer. You will get 3 full working days to refund after a case is opened. 

And yes, you will only be insured for up to £50 with RM signed for.

Most experienced ebayers ignore ebay's 'suggestions' for P&P. You can bypass these and add your own postage. You are responsible for your listing, and you are the one paying the P&P so you must make sure it is adequate for the item you are selling.

Hopefully the item will arrive and you won't have to refund, good luck. 

[rosako0 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. Is there a possible situation where an item arrives with the buyer after they received a refund? I would get a tracking update I think, would I be able to do anything then (should communication fall through)?

[*guinevere* · Accepted solution]

It does happen. All you can do in that situation is ask your buyer to send you a Paypal payment but there is nothing you can do through ebay. As a last resort you would have to take legal advice.

[red_magpie]

If an item is lost in the post the buyer will open a case under eBay's money back guarantee. You will be given three business days in which to confirm your willingmess to refund them. Ebay will then process the refund, which will be charged to your account. If you don't, eBay will enforce the refund and you will be penalisd with an account defect.

You can claim whatever compensatin may be payable, but with 2nd class post it won't come anywhere near the vaue.

Next time, you can list valuabe items for delivery by an insured service, like RM special delivery.

[rosako0]

Just as an update in case someone comes across this:

Thankfully the item did indeed arrive safely, it just didn't show as such on the Royal Mail tracking website!