Paypal dispute and An Post delivery failure

ELV1897

Hello all
In my naivete I purchased a watch on ebay that was not as described - vintage turned out to be a different decade to what was advertised and the condition was worse than photos had shown. The seller's response was "my watchmaker told me it was that decade and the condition is fine" so I opened a PayPal dispute. PayPal customer service agreed over the phone that it was a clear cut case and it was ruled in my favour.
I sent the watch, to Australia, via An Post registered post on 11 April. For weeks I checked the track-and-trace but it was only showing the item as having been "dispatched".
I have just received communication from PayPal that they have closed the case as the item has not been delivered. Of course I am pretty furious. While 4 weeks is a long time, it seems likely that it is still caught up in customs.
Or another possibility - might the seller have refused to take delivery at the door?
Has anyone had this happen to them and been able to convince PayPal to reopen the case and have a bit of patience? Something tells me An Post customer service aren't going to be much help but I ought to go through the motions of contacting them.

ELV1897

In fact the An Post track and trace page just has one stage listed: " ITEM DESPATCHED FROM DUBLIN MAIL CENTRE
DUBLIN 12"

There is nothing to suggest it has even left the country - should there be another stage listed to say that the item has been dispatched from Dublin Airport or whatever?

marklazarcovic

Once it's handed over to another countries postal system , tracking is entirely dependant on them, nothing an post can do if it's not scanned along the way, I've seen different tracking numbers put on items by outside postal companies once they have left the country,and you will be none the wiser unfortunately.

You should have insurance if you paid for recorded delivery,so ring and claim off that.

ELV1897

marklazarcovic wrote: »

Once it's handed over to another countries postal system , tracking is entirely dependant on them, nothing an post can do if it's not scanned along the way, I've seen different tracking numbers put on items by outside postal companies once they have left the country,and you will be none the wiser unfortunately.

You should have insurance if you paid for recorded delivery,so ring and claim off that.

Thanks for the reply. According to An Post, jewellery sent to international destination is not covered by insurance. I presume they would consider a watch jewellery. I'll try to get compensation though.

marklazarcovic

Didn't know this thanks

mel.b

Australia post are woeful and service is shocking, however get onto their facebook page and post a message with the tracking number and they will look into it and get back to you. I have had to do this for a couple of items posted to Australia.

hi5

Try typing the An Post tracking number into the Austrailian website.

https://auspost.com.au/mypost/track/#/search

Darwin

If you don't have any luck, I wouldn't waste my time trying to get paypal to reopen the case - get onto your bank and request a chargeback against them. Make sure you include all the details including a copy of the postage receipt showing you followed paypals instructions to return the item (I'm presuming your paypal account is funded with your credit card).

ELV1897

hi5 wrote: »

Try typing the An Post tracking number into the Austrailian website.

https://auspost.com.au/mypost/track/#/search

Thanks, tried it, apparently it can't offer tracking info for international items... Very odd!

ELV1897

Darwin wrote: »

If you don't have any luck, I wouldn't waste my time trying to get paypal to reopen the case - get onto your bank and request a chargeback against them. Make sure you include all the details including a copy of the postage receipt showing you followed paypals instructions to return the item (I'm presuming your paypal account is funded with your credit card).

Thanks, my concern with that is whether it would affect paypal judgements in future disputes I raise (there are bound to be others!) Perhaps I'm being paranoid to think they would be vindictive like that.

ELV1897

mel.b wrote: »

Australia post are woeful and service is shocking, however get onto their facebook page and post a message with the tracking number and they will look into it and get back to you. I have had to do this for a couple of items posted to Australia.

I'll try that, thank you

Trigger Happy

I would not do a chargeback against paypal if you intend ever to use paypal again. They react very badly to people issuing a chargeback against them.

Trigger Happy

OmegaGene wrote: »

There is no need because once it’s delivered they will resolve it so it’s a eating game for now

For sure, but posted that incase OP decides to take previous posters advice!

Darwin

Trigger Happy wrote: »

I would not do a chargeback against paypal if you intend ever to use paypal again. They react very badly to people issuing a chargeback against them.

I have gone down this route in the past, and I still have my paypal account years later with no issues at all. If its a case of lose all your money or chargeback I know what I would be doing.

Darwin

OmegaGene wrote: »

Why would the op lose his money if you know how PayPal works then they can okay go on the facts and currently the item hasn’t been delivered
Once delivered most of the time a seller will refund unless they are a complete scum bag if not PayPal will refund the buyer
At the moment there is nothing to be done only chase up an post who I most say are extremely helpful when I’ve contacted them

I didn't say the OP was going to lose his money as things stand now - as a last stand he has rights to chargeback if it comes to that.