Evidence needed for non-arrival of item? (Ebay)

[moodymand]

I sold a pony on ebay 14th December to a buyer in Italy, and shipped from UK to Italy on 19th December (I don't normally take that long to get to the PO but it was a busy time!!) It was sent via Royal Mail standard Airmail.

The buyer messaged me today to say the item has not arrived. I understand it still might, as it was the Xmas period and things are slow, and in any case I can't submit a claim til Fri 10th Jan as you need to wait 20 working days from date of postage.

If Fri 10th comes around and they still have not received the pony, I will start the claims process. I have not had to do this in a long time - what evidence do I need of the pony's worth? Is printing off my ebay ended auction page enough or do I need more? (It's actually a Nirvana pony and I don't think it comes up on ebay often, so I don't even know if I can find much evidence of its value!)

Also, since it was sent regular airmail and there's no proof of receipt or signature on delivery, who's to say the buyer isn't trying to pull a fast one? I'm a cynical person... I regret not insisting it be sent via International Signed For. :/

Thanks for any advice.

[ponylady]

There is nothing stopping your buyer from being from dishonest, unfortunately. If it was not sent with delivery confirmation, eBay will side with them. It has to show it was delivered 

As far as the claim process with Royal Mail. I believe this link below should help you.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/royal-mails-claims-process-for-loss-damage-and-delay

So with that being said Italy has one of the worst postal systems in the world. I am pretty sure your buyer is aware of that, so it taking that long is not unheard of.

[moodymand]

thanks Ponylady. I hope they are aware of it and I hope they are willing to take that into consideration, sit tight and wait a little longer. Everything was going so well for the start of my 2014, now comes a spanner in the works

Taken from the link you gave me, regarding evidence of worth of the item:
"This evidence must show what it cost the claimant to acquire, purchase or manufacture the original item (or repair in the case of damage)"
So as the responsibility to chase up claims falls on the seller, hence I am (or will be) the claimant... that means I must show evidence of what it cost ME to purchase the pony?? That was years ago, I have no record of that now. Darn, Royal Mail like to get you on the little details. :/

[LadyGuinevere]

I think the ebay auction or paypal receipt may well suffice, however you may not get the full amount depending on how much the pony was, as standard airmail only covers up to a certain amount. It looks like the max is £20

[moodymand]

Yeah, that's another thing. The auction ended at £23.07 though, and I don't mind refunding the little extra myself and being a few quid out of pocket if I can get the full £20 compensation back. I suppose that's why I didn't push for ISF. Too complacent... I've sold so much lately and not had a problem. The destination should have been a red flag, because I remember reading a thread or 2 about Italy's crappy postal service a few months back! Ah well, live and learn, we hope.

[Teddy]

Wow, I really hope the pony shows up soon and that you have an honest buyer! There is a reason alot of sellers refuse to ship to Italy, though. Good luck and keep us posted!

[moodymand]

Thanks Teddy. They said they will "wait a week more". I was kind of hoping they might be an Arena person, but I feel this may not be the case...


ETA: I just checked their feedback (shoulda done that sooner I suppose)
They have left a LOT of negs for non-arrival of items.
Quote from a seller: "Left bad feedback as I was trying to trace item."

I have a perfect 100percent score of over 500, if they spoil that I am going to be hopping mad! Especially since I refunded them overpayment of shipping as I had overquoted - how many sellers do that??

[ponylady]

Can you maybe post this buyers ID? I am dealing with someone in Italy myself, just want to make sure it's not the same one.

[moodymand]

Sure, it is lio3933

[ponylady]

Hmmm..Interesting  It is not the same one but after looking at the amount of negs. they have left, I decided to add them to my blocked list. Guess what they were already there 

It makes me wonder why now??? *off to go figure it out*

[moodymand]

Oh no... My day is quickly going downhill... LOL

[hilamb]

I hope the item arrives!

[MiRaja]

Sounds like someone is abusing their country's notorious bad reputation for the post by being equally dishonest!

This is exactly why I refuse to ship to Italy!  I also refuse to ship to China, because post going in disappears so easily, and I've had several attempted scammers using China addresses. 

[Ringlets]

I'm so sorry to hear about this situation hun   I've sold  many items to Italian buyers with no issues (except once) but I always send with tracking now unless its an item which is automatically covered by RM's included insurance (which unfortunately now is only £20 instead of the £46 it was before April2013 *siiigh* ).  Its a shame that you'll have to refund someone who very possibly is not being honest (or they have an extremely dodgy PO depot!) but you will be able to claim back the £20 (and in some cases more..) by using the ebay sale or paypal reciept  as evidence (as LadyG mentioned)

[lovesbabysquirmy]

How unfortunate - thanks for the warning!