How do I make a damages claim against Royal Mail

[sunster316]

Hi there,

Just started selling on ebay and after about 100 items I've had the first one from a buyer who's small shobox sized item has been utterly mangled by Royal Mail. It's not a particularly expensive item, but the buyer has been helpful in photographing what RM has done to the parcel.

The issue I have is that I cant see anywhere on ebay where I can insitgate a claim for damages against Royal Mail. 

In terms of an order, I have asked the buyer to start a return so I can accept. 

I will cover the return cost, and when it arrives back to me I will refund the buyer the cost of the item plus the return postage.

Is this the right thing to do? And do i need to do this and receive the item before I insitgate a damages claim?

Any and all help gratefully received!

Sunster316

[**peaseblossom**]

If you have the photos you may not need to get the item back.  Return postage is paid upfront when you issue a return label for them to print out and use.   Instead you can select to refund without return.   But ask buyer to hang onto the item and packaging in case RM want to see them.  

Refund via the case on ebay and not direct from your Paypal account. 

If item is cheap personally I wouldn't bother claiming.   It's a lot of faff and they often don't pay out.   But if you want to you'll get the claim form from the RM website or from your post office.