Where do I stand with missing delivery?
Discussion
I’ve bought something on eBay which according to ParcelForce has been delivered and signed for by me. The only thing is that I was at work when they attempted delivery and when I got home there was no parcel left anywhere.
The eBay seller hadn’t given any of my contact details to ParcelForce so the first I knew of any of this was last Friday when I messaged the seller asking if he’d posted the item yet. He’s contacted ParcelForce who have sent him a picture of my porch door (with no visible parcel) and a claim that I’ve signed for it. Now whenever I order anything I specifically ask for things not to be left in the porch as there is a high chance of it getting stolen around here (happens a lot down my road), but due to no contact from ParcelForce on delivery preferences I haven’t been able to request it’s not left.
The seller is getting quite irate with me and accusing me of fraud, saying that ParcelForce have taken a photo of my porch (which I’ve not disputed. It is my porch) and have a signature (which won’t be mine as I was at work and my Mrs was in Africa so it definitely won’t be hers either).
I have opened an item not received case with eBay but at the moment it’s just requesting I contact the seller, who is continuing to accuse me of fraud. EBay themselves won’t step in and help for another three days.
Anyway, what’s the likely outcome with this? ParcelForce say they’ve delivered it and I’ve signed for it. I don’t have the item, I wasn’t there when they tried to deliver it and I’m currently £300 down on something I haven’t got. Is there any hope of me getting my money back or am I screwed?
The eBay seller hadn’t given any of my contact details to ParcelForce so the first I knew of any of this was last Friday when I messaged the seller asking if he’d posted the item yet. He’s contacted ParcelForce who have sent him a picture of my porch door (with no visible parcel) and a claim that I’ve signed for it. Now whenever I order anything I specifically ask for things not to be left in the porch as there is a high chance of it getting stolen around here (happens a lot down my road), but due to no contact from ParcelForce on delivery preferences I haven’t been able to request it’s not left.
The seller is getting quite irate with me and accusing me of fraud, saying that ParcelForce have taken a photo of my porch (which I’ve not disputed. It is my porch) and have a signature (which won’t be mine as I was at work and my Mrs was in Africa so it definitely won’t be hers either).
I have opened an item not received case with eBay but at the moment it’s just requesting I contact the seller, who is continuing to accuse me of fraud. EBay themselves won’t step in and help for another three days.
Anyway, what’s the likely outcome with this? ParcelForce say they’ve delivered it and I’ve signed for it. I don’t have the item, I wasn’t there when they tried to deliver it and I’m currently £300 down on something I haven’t got. Is there any hope of me getting my money back or am I screwed?
i think you are screwed unfortunately. Your contract is with the seller and, looking at the evidence, when it goes to ebay dispute they will side with the seller.
Parcelforce are at fault but the signature will be a random squiggle. A small claims court will probably side with you as you can prove no one was in when it was delivered but i don't see how you would get to that stage as I'm not sure you can start proceedings against parcel force as you don't have a contract with them.
Ofc i am not an expert on these matters, just experienced it like you.
Parcelforce are at fault but the signature will be a random squiggle. A small claims court will probably side with you as you can prove no one was in when it was delivered but i don't see how you would get to that stage as I'm not sure you can start proceedings against parcel force as you don't have a contract with them.
Ofc i am not an expert on these matters, just experienced it like you.
Petrus1983 said:
I can't see what the eBay seller has done wrong. - I'd be going after ParcelForce.
He has no contract with Parcelforce so only the seller can do that.It's a bit odd the package isn't in the picture and it's a picture of a closed door if he's supposed to have signed for it.
I deal with this a lot and would advise the following
1. You need to see this signature. If Parcelforce have a pic of your porch, they should have a signature too.
2. Ask the seller for their terms with Parcelforce - did they authorise to leave the item without signature (I know that PF are saying they got it signed)
3. Contact the seller and explain your situation to try and get them onside. You are not trying to stiff them, you genuinely don't have the item and are looking for a resolution
Ultimately, you may be a victim of the system. PF has to get a signature, but it is never specified who's signature so they can claim they've fulfilled their obligations, especially as they have a pic of your house. If PF and the seller don't want to help you, you may just have lost £300 I'm afraid.
1. You need to see this signature. If Parcelforce have a pic of your porch, they should have a signature too.
2. Ask the seller for their terms with Parcelforce - did they authorise to leave the item without signature (I know that PF are saying they got it signed)
3. Contact the seller and explain your situation to try and get them onside. You are not trying to stiff them, you genuinely don't have the item and are looking for a resolution
Ultimately, you may be a victim of the system. PF has to get a signature, but it is never specified who's signature so they can claim they've fulfilled their obligations, especially as they have a pic of your house. If PF and the seller don't want to help you, you may just have lost £300 I'm afraid.
MickC said:
Why would the delivery driver take a picture of an empty porch floor when they say they've delivered it to a person at the address AND that person has signed for it? Weird.
Lots of companies taking photos of premises now just to prove that they've been there.Drivers too - covering their bases by proving that they've been to a destination and there's nothing iffy going on.
Muzzer79 said:
Lots of companies taking photos of premises now just to prove that they've been there.
Drivers too - covering their bases by proving that they've been to a destination and there's nothing iffy going on.
When I get parcels delivered, they always insist on a photo of the parcel with the front door open as proof of delivery, and when we're not in they will take a photo of the parcel where they leave it. Photographing a porch with no parcel visible seems a bit odd as proof!Drivers too - covering their bases by proving that they've been to a destination and there's nothing iffy going on.
Chris
ScoobyChris said:
Muzzer79 said:
Lots of companies taking photos of premises now just to prove that they've been there.
Drivers too - covering their bases by proving that they've been to a destination and there's nothing iffy going on.
When I get parcels delivered, they always insist on a photo of the parcel with the front door open as proof of delivery, and when we're not in they will take a photo of the parcel where they leave it. Photographing a porch with no parcel visible seems a bit odd as proof!Drivers too - covering their bases by proving that they've been to a destination and there's nothing iffy going on.
Chris
TheDrownedApe said:
i think you are screwed unfortunately. Your contract is with the seller and, looking at the evidence, when it goes to ebay dispute they will side with the seller.
Parcelforce are at fault but the signature will be a random squiggle. A small claims court will probably side with you as you can prove no one was in when it was delivered but i don't see how you would get to that stage as I'm not sure you can start proceedings against parcel force as you don't have a contract with them.
Ofc i am not an expert on these matters, just experienced it like you.
This. I had a similar case where an item was supposedly delivered, and the only evidence was a signature which wasn't mine. Parcelforce are at fault but the signature will be a random squiggle. A small claims court will probably side with you as you can prove no one was in when it was delivered but i don't see how you would get to that stage as I'm not sure you can start proceedings against parcel force as you don't have a contract with them.
Ofc i am not an expert on these matters, just experienced it like you.
EBay sided with the seller and the courier wouldn't accept a claim as they has a signature.
TheDrownedApe said:
EVERY delivery i get from PF, DPD and others say they must take a photo of the parcel inside my property.....even with me stood there. seems odd that PF in the OPs area don't follow the same rule.
That's what I mean, usually they'd photograph the parcel if left in the porch, or the customer with the parcel. If they want to prove they've been there AND delivered a parcel to resident, why take a photo of the porch floor? 
That's what the signature is for.Get copy of signature & time of delivery, so you can prove it wasn't you who signed for it. Request what the person who signed for it looked like, & what they said. Build up your case that you haven't actually received it, so the seller can see you're being honest & it's a courier issue.
The seller has an obligation that the goods were delivered to you, & be able to prove it. They need to chase up the courier, but as others have said, you need to get them onside. Perhaps mention if the courier do it a lot to them, their business will suffer etc with bad reviews & lots of their wasting time chasing up in future. This could just be the start for them.
Check if any friendly neighbour has a doorbell cam?
I hope you get this sorted out to your satisfaction.
The seller has an obligation that the goods were delivered to you, & be able to prove it. They need to chase up the courier, but as others have said, you need to get them onside. Perhaps mention if the courier do it a lot to them, their business will suffer etc with bad reviews & lots of their wasting time chasing up in future. This could just be the start for them.
Check if any friendly neighbour has a doorbell cam?
I hope you get this sorted out to your satisfaction.
Sebring440 said:
Sheepshanks said:
It does seem a bit rash of you to order something worth £300 without making secure delivery arrangements.
PH rule No 1: Always blame the OP!
Obviously it's his fault for living in a dodgy area.
TBF I'm amazed at the stuff that gets left at front doors around our way. I guess it must generally be fine, but someone nicked our milk earlier this year!
We had a delivery (had to be signed for, goods worth £1500) that never turned up. Photo showed a door not mine, nor identifiable by me. Signature was just a scrawled mess.
Took about 5 days to solve when a chap turned up on my doorstep with the parcel. He had just got home from holiday to find it on his doorstep. It turned out the driver just dumped it about half a mile away at a house that had a vaguely similar name (wrong street) and signed it himself.
I consider myself lucky to get it.
Took about 5 days to solve when a chap turned up on my doorstep with the parcel. He had just got home from holiday to find it on his doorstep. It turned out the driver just dumped it about half a mile away at a house that had a vaguely similar name (wrong street) and signed it himself.
I consider myself lucky to get it.
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