[Norseman]

Originally Posted by gillybear

The recipient can't do anything about the item as such as the contract is between Royal Mail and the sender. This is one of those problems that Postmen face daily.

I've been with Royal Mail for nearly 30 years and over that time the rules haven't changed significantly. If you cannot deliver an item safely (In to the recipients hands at the door) then return it to the office. However the public often has a different idea and most postmen like to accomadate people even if that means breaking the rules. I get many requests to "Put it in the Blue Bin", "Leave it with a neighbour", "Put it by the back door" etc.... But if i do i'm breaking the rules and if i don't people think i'm an awkward sod. A typical no win situation.

I assume that some type of unofficial agreement exists between this recipient and his postman, the postman has done what he thinks the customer wants and will probably end up getting disiplined for it. However perhaps in the modern world that's what's required, No more "put it in the shed" etc. your either at home to collect the parcel or you pick it up from the delivery office 48/72 hours later.

Incidentally my best mate has worked for the RM for the past 29 years transferring to the Brightside place a few years back and he says the service is getting worse, the equipment older and the conditions worse whilst the management all get their fantastic bonuses.

I do fully understand what you're saying about leaving items, our postie's are the same if you are not in they take it back to the depot and I collect it when I can and sign for it if necessary. I do have sympathy for the chap who brings the massive rolls of bubblewrap to the house periodically, he even knocks first!! he however never leaves items on the doorstep.

[JFKvsNixon]

Originally Posted by Norseman

This is exactly what has occured however the RM refuse to accept responsibilty for their actions, he wasn't in so that means that the postie has signed for it in the recipients name, scribbled a signature and just left it?!?!

Therefore the postie has acted illegally yet the depot manager is being a right awkward sod. Mind you I really wouldn't want to be in either of their shoes at the moment as plan B maybe instigated and the RM really don't want to go down that route............

You may realise I really don't like being messed about

I once got really poor service from a Halfords shop, my wife purchased a bike that developed a fault after having it only a week. The shop refused to refund the money or repair it until it was seen by one of their members of staff, unfortunately they couldn't fit me in for a month and they wouldn't budge on the issue.

So I went home and rang their customer hotline and stated the issue to them, within an hour I got a telephone call with an apology and an appointment for the bike to be seen at a different Halfords as soon as was convenient with me, and a voucher for £50.

Good service from Halfords just poor service from that particular branch.

[Redyam]

This has ultimately happened because the postman probably thought he was doing the person he delivered the packet to a favour, by leaving the the parcel somewhere without a signature. Therefore he wouldn't have to travel to the delivery office to pick it up.

Now the problem with this is when packets go missing, like in this case. Of course the person receiving the packet is happy with this arrangement... Until something goes wrong. And then it is all the postmans fault, and becomes 'poor service'.

The thing is, Royal Mails 'customer' is not the person receiving the packet, it is the person sending it, and this is something that a lot of postmen don't quite grasp when they do people 'favours'. Yes it is the postmans fault, he needs to cover his own back, and he should be fired for doing it. At the end of the day, every recorded delivery needs a signature.

Just remember this when you ask your postman to leave packets somewhere unattended...

[anywebsite]

Originally Posted by truman

Yep,as far as I can see you've done all your bit,sent it recorded and got a signature..it's up to the recipient to take it up with the carrier I would say...

No, it's up to the sender. The recipient's contract was with the sender (for purchase of ebay item), the senders contract was with Royal Mail for delivery of the item. If the item isn't delivered then the intended recipient should claim a refund from the seller & the seller should pursue Royal Mail.

The service is getting worse, I've had a few items go missing, or turn up very late & water damaged.

[truman]

Originally Posted by anywebsite

No, it's up to the sender. The recipient's contract was with the sender (for purchase of ebay item), the senders contract was with Royal Mail for delivery of the item. If the item isn't delivered then the intended recipient should claim a refund from the seller & the seller should pursue Royal Mail.

The service is getting worse, I've had a few items go missing, or turn up very late & water damaged.

I agree if the parcel wasn't delivered but in this case the parcel was apparently signed for and delivered....senders obligation finishes there....if there's a signature then how does the sender know that the recipient isn't trying it on?

[anywebsite]

Originally Posted by truman

I agree if the parcel wasn't delivered but in this case the parcel was apparently signed for and delivered....senders obligation finishes there....if there's a signature then how does the sender know that the recipient isn't trying it on?

Apparently the signature was fraudulently done by the postman & the item wasn't successfully delivered, instead it was left out in plain sight. That's if the buyer's story is true, if not then they're committing fraud. The seller has to take it on trust if they have no evidence that the buyer is lying, then pursue the buyer if they find out different later.

So the buyer needs a refund/replacement (at their option) from the seller, because it wasn't delivered & the seller needs to get compensation from Royal Mail.

If the buyer is trying it on, then Royal Mail's investigation should show that, it'd be fraud & the police could be involved. The seller should also be able to make a SCC claim against the buyer.

The recipient doesn't have any contract with Royal Mail. Royal Mail's customers are the senders, they paid for the delivery, the recipient can't claim compensation from Royal Mail.