I sold something on ebay and posted it over a week ago, I gave the option of recorded delivery but the buyer didnt request it.  I obtained a proof of posting certificate when I posted it.  The buyer claims she hasnt received the item and wants me to refund her money.  Obviously im not going to do this but does anyone know where I stand if she tries to claim through paypal? I had assumed that as I have proof of posting im ok but now im worried it might not be enough.  Has anyone experienced this ?

The last time it happened to me was quite a while ago.  I think my purchaser was genuine but you can't always tell.  I refunded her money and made a claim through the Post Office for the lost item.

See here for additional info:  For lost or damaged items that have an intrinsic value, with evidence of posting with Royal Mail (such as a certificate of posting) and evidence of value (such as an invoice or receipt) customers will be entitled to a postage refund plus compensation for actual loss up to the value of the item, or 100 x 1st class stamps at the first weight step, whichever is the lowest.

The PO were pretty good and quite quick but I thought it simpler to refund her first and then sort the claim for myself.  I didn't want to risk negative feedback but I'm fairly sure the guidelines on feedback and complaints have changed now.  Your buyer will need to open dialogue in the resolution section - Paypal operates a similar process but she'll still need to report the item not received.  Did you mark her item as 'SENT' when you posted?  It's good to have the additional info.

Whatever happens next I'm sure you can ask her to wait a bit longer.  I'm not sure what is happening with Royal Mail at the moment but I'm still getting warnings about delivery delays for industrial action.

For future reference there are some high risk buyers - based on category or feedback.  If in doubt always use Recorded Delivery and build it into your costs.  If my item sells for much higher than I think it's worth I'll always pay the extra for free, it gives me peace of mind.  All electrical items are sent special delivery as these can sometimes be dodgy or unreliable buyers too!!
  

this happened to me. the buyer paid by paypal. she signed for the item opened the box and the item had been stolen. becuase she had signed for it i was unable to claim from them however paypal upheld her claim and took money from my paypal account. i have not used it since.

if you have proof of postage, if the buyer opens a claim through paypal then you will be able to email a copy of the proof of postage to paypal to defend your case. Due to the current problems with postage i would stress this to the buyer too. But IMO you are covered as you have your proof of postage certificate :)

I will go to the post office tomorrow to find out how to go about getting compensation, I would expect I will have to leave it longer than a week though especially as you say with the current issues with the postal service.

beware Paypal.....i always transfer the money from PP to my bank before sending larger expensive items as been caught like that before. Let them try and get it off me once Ive cleared the PP account!!!

well i had none of my own money in it so actually it went to minus balance so i refused to use it which unless i pay off the balance i can not use paypal again,

I thought they could zap it straight out of your account?? if not then I think I will transfer my money out of it then !

> I thought they could zap it straight out of your account??

They can - you have to have a credit card on file with Paypal to open an account and you also have to register that card as a back up payment source if you do not have enough money in your account to make a purchase.  This is the case even if you use a bank account as your primary source of funds.

You also have to be very careful with chargebacks.  This can occur if someone pays for your item through Paypal with a credit card.  If they implement  security measures via the credit card company they can also pull that money back out of your account.  Moving funds will make no difference at all.

I wouldn't worry too much - you will be able to make a claim with the PO and you can download a claim form via the link I sent you, so no need to call into a Post Office. 

they cannot take any money from any card or account that is not paypal. all they can do is take money from your paypal account. if you remove the money that it is in there they will still take the money so your paypal account is minus.
however you can appeal.

Everything is going by snail mail at the mo.  It could be the post office.  Someone sent me a cheque last Tuesday and I still haven't received it!  :(

> Someone sent me a cheque last Tuesday and I still haven't received it!

hee hee the old ones are the best.

the cheque is in the post!!!! :)

beware Paypal.....i always transfer the money from PP to my bank before sending larger expensive items as been caught like that before. Let them try and get it off me once Ive cleared the PP account!!!

Sam this happened to me. I sold something for my brother. He sent it and they said they never got it. My brother (stupidly) forgot to get a proof of receipt thing and hence they refunded the man. They took the money from my paypal even though I'd already drawn it out for my brother and left me with a minue paypal account. My brother wouldnt give me the money back because he'd a) spent it and b) said he'd sent it and the bloke must have been lying. I got negative feedback and a letter from a debt collector! So they can still take the money!