Hermes delivered, buyer claims wrong item sent

[matcon_4990]

I sold my old phone through eBay, and the buyer paid fast after auction ended. I posted the phone several hours after being notified of payment, I used Hermes (via parcel2go) and dropped the package at my local Hermes collection point.

I have tracking information showing parcel being delivered and a photo taken by the delivery driver showing the package at the buyers front door.

Buyer claims the phone was not inside the package, instead there was a little ceramic pot.... The issue I have here is that the photo taken by the Hermes delivery driver shows a package with shape and size matching perfectly to the package I sent (i.e. phone box shape/size).

He opened a "not as described" return request which I've had no option but to accept and asked him to return everything that was delivered by Hermes so I can check sizes against proof of delivery photo.

The suspicious part is the package that was delivered has Hermes branded parcel tape on the backside of the package, so I can only assume either:

1. The buyer has got the phone and is trying to get it for free by claiming some worthless pot was delivered in its place.

2. Someone within the Hermes network has opened the package, swapped phone for a ceramic pot in a phone sized box and stolen my phone.

3. The package was damaged and items muddled up when putting lost contents back into packaging.

I just can't believe that 3. Is possible due to the fact I tightly wrapped duct tape around both ends of the package, and if damaged by some sorting machine, the duct tape is strong enough to hold the phone in place (i.e. It couldn't just fall out the packaging).

Here's the proof of delivery photo....

Photos sent by the buyer (first is a photo of the pot claimed to be inside the package instead of the phone)....

[plpmr]

adding to the advice already given -

"The suspicious part is the package that was delivered has Hermes branded parcel tape on the backside of the package"

One has to ask - why the carrier has put that tape there?

[matcon_4990]

Exactly --- The photos show that the parcel isn't likely to rip in such a way that the phone inside could simply just "fall out" on/in whatever sorting machine they use.... It would have been maliciously opened, it looks to me like it's been opened with a knife/scissors as the tape isn't at the smaller end of the parcel where you'd expect to see damage from a sorting machine...

[matcon_4990]

Exactly --- The photos show that the parcel isn't likely to rip in such a way that the phone inside could simply just "fall out" on/in whatever sorting machine they use.... It would have been maliciously opened, it looks to me like it's been opened with a knife/scissors as the tape isn't at the smaller end of the parcel where you'd expect to see damage from a sorting machine... I've read other reports of sellers saying the same thing, that parcels have been tampered with and contents switched out.

[matcon_4990]

I have got the package back from the buyer, upon removing the Hermes tape there is a perfect slit along the parcel, it's been opened by a knife no doubts.

[papso22]

There have been quite a few posts over recent months where the evidence points very strongly to Hermes drivers tampering with parcels and swapping the contents. You need to take this up with Hermes, but as you booked through Ebay's middleman, that will be difficult.

[matcon_4990]

How is that fair!? I'm not taking it up with Hermes, I'm going straight to the police as it's theft, and that's a crime.