Paypal Seller Protection and Postal Services. : eBay Guides

When you sell an item on ebay and accept payment through paypal it is absolutely vital you send the item using a trackable means.  The buyer and seller protection policy is a good thing in itself but relies on both parties being absolutely honest.  If you have sent an item to Mr Dishonest who then opens up a Paypal dispute as he has not received the item, without legitimate tracking information the seller is helpless.

There are a number of trackable services available at your local post office in the UK but these are for different things.

Recorded Delivery

This should be used for non valuable items.  The item must be signed for on delivery and compensation is available but only up to the same amount as the comensation available for standard first class mail which is 10 times the price of a 1st class stamp.  In the event of a claim you must prove the value of the item.  If you have just sent a Rolex by Recorded and lost it, you will only get £32 (June 2006 price 10x32p)

Special Delivery (9am and Next Day)

Royal Mail now have 2 types of special delivery, 9am is like a courier service and next day which is similar to the old special delivery service.  The 9am service is guaranteed or your money back subject to a few conditions and the destination but has a 2 kilogram weight limitation.  The special delivery next day does not have the weight limit.  For both services there are enhanced compensation schemes available for extra cost and £250 worth of compensation is standard.  This is also a signature on delivery service.  This service should be used for high value items or/and if it needs to be there next day.

International Signed For

This is an enhanced version of airmail and although it is not trackable, a signature would be required upon delivery.  Again compensation is available if your item is lost.  This service has a 2kg weight limit.

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If you are going to use the 1st or 2nd class system then always get a certificate of postage, this covers you for up to 10 times the cost of a 1st class stamp and unless you have one, Royal Mail will not grant compensation.  The receipt you get from the post office is not apparently sufficient proof of postage.  Paypal will also accept a postal certificate as proof that you posted the item.  Without it, Mr Dishonest is likely to get a refund at your expense.  And draining out your paypal account before it happens won't help you either.  Paypal will remove funds from whatever cards or accounts you have registered at the time.

Signed for services cost a little extra but are well worth it to cover yourself.  The extra cost should be passed to the buyer and not provided as an option.

If you were Mr Dishonest, would you optionally request Recorded Delivery knowing it would provide the seller proof the item arrived ? After all Mr Dishonest wants your item and his money back !

Ebay used to up until a couple of years ago use the term Caveat Emptor, let the buyer beware, I notice they dont use it now anywhere as I guess it gives a bad first impression.  Its a useful thing to keep in mind though, Let the seller beware ! Dont get me wrong, There are a hell of a lot of honest people on ebay but the odd few crooks ruin it,

Dont get stung !

I hope you find this information useful.

Peter at seagullparts.co.uk