As an experienced eBayer in both buying and selling various items over the last three years, I have noticed of late that more and more items apparently appear to be going missing in the post. As I now print addresses on the computer before despatching items, this rules out illegibility. Therefore, this leaves only two explanations for this happening - 1. The Royal Mail postal service is rapidly declining (or) 2. We have a lot of dishonest eBayers out there claiming the item has not arrived when indeed it has.

I have now decided because of the above that all items I sell (within reason) will either be sent by Recorded Delivery or by Special Next Day Delivery. The advantages are clear. It certainly rules out any attempted dishonesty by buyers. You can even check online to see if the buyer has taken delivery of the item. It also eliminates the possibility of receiving Negative feedback from a buyer who has genuinely not received their item from you. This so often happens to people, which is a shame, as it is through no fault on their part, but again may have been avoided if communication from buyer and seller was better.

The disadvantages - Slightly higher postal prices due to Recorded Delivery may put some buyers off, but is it really worth the risk of not doing so nowadays?

Here is something else to ponder over...     You sell an item on eBay for 99p. It is a heavy and bulky item. It costs £8.74 to send by Standard Parcel post. The buyer pays you the total amount which is £9.73. You post the item. It never arrives. You refund the buyer and put in a claim to Royal Mail. Eventually Royal Mail gets in touch with you and admits the parcel has been lost. They refund you the cost of the item which is 99p - BUT, although they admitted that the parcel was lost will NOT refund the postage price of £8.74. WHO IS THEN OUT OF POCKET??? I am speaking from experience as a similar situation happened to me.

This short guide is printed in order to help others, and to try and reduce the possibility of you losing out.

So, should more of us be thinking along the lines of Recorded or Next Day Delivery?

Think about it!