can they say this?

[dombanks]

i bought a itunes gift card through my works discount scheme; its a easy scheme. you can buy official gift cards for pretty much anywhere or just use the promo codes on the relevent websit and you get some form of %discount or a sort of loyalty points thing. (so i bought a HP laptop and got 20% off using a code and got 10% off a ernest jones card)

 

so i queery it with them to see where it is and they say its been dispached on XXX date.

 

they then say this

 

"Unfortunately, because you requested first class post and not insured special delivery, if the card does not get returned to us or delivered to you, it is lost and cannot be cancelled or refunded.

 

so do i have a leg to stand on? its seems a bit crap that if somehting isnt delivered then its my fault for not paying the recorded dlivery (which £6 for a £20 itunes card is a bit steep) surely there is some sort of distance selling rule type thing that covers a consumer against non delivery.

[Dommo]

I'm sure it's up to the company to get it to you - essentially the item isn't yours until you receive it.

 

The fact that it can't be cancelled isn't your problem, they should send another out.

[Norman Verona]

If you paid by credit card get in touch with the card company and request a refund.

 

Only problem is it's difficult to prove you haven't received it.

[Blatman]

Recorded delivery for a small envelope, or a light A4 envelope is just over a quid. 6 quid is Special Delivery which carries insurance. Both have to be signed for.

I've never had anything lost using recorded delivery, and I have overseen well over 10,000 items sent this way.

 

Imagine my surprise when I put "Lost in the post" in to the search at www.royalmail.com...

 

http://www.royalmail.com/customer-service/personal-customers/refunds-and-compensation/lost-item-compensation

 

http://www.royalmail.com/customer-service/personal-customers/refunds-and-compensation/claims-process/compensation-tables/compensation-lost

 

http://www.royalmail.com/search/google_cse_adv/lost%20in%20the%20post

[pistonbroke]

47 years at the same address and never had anything lost in post , received of sent .

we occasionally have received mail destined for other people but simply because the address was incorrect .

[FILFAN]

my work offers a similar scheme for gift cards. they do actually say when ordering you need to choose special delivery if you want it insured and advise to get a small amount then add more to the card once received

[Blatman]

Again, if you read the Royal Mail website you'll see that compensation to a value of a little over 40 quid is available even for ordinary first class mail, subject to meeting the conditions on the site.

Mind you, vouchers are a possible contentious issue. I haven't read the terms ('cos I haven't lost anything. Dombanks must do his own research...) but often vouchers have smallprint that says something like "No cash value. Not exchangable for cash" or something similar, which may complicate a claim for compensation. The Royal Mail could argue that if the voucher is identifiable by a serial number (and it really should be) then the issuer should cancel that voucher and send out a replacement.

[dombanks]

thanks

 

ill have to look at what the scheme says but im fairly sure the scheme is just a reseller for the relevent shops etc. however i still dont see how its my fault and as i have not recieved anything then how i cant even claim it was faulty etc. basically they are saying you its not our fault you didnt recieve it. sod off. for all i know their post boy nicked off with it. as far as im concerned ive paid for somehting that never turned up.

[stephenh]

I'm thinking that if you buy something and the price includes postage etc., then if it isn't delivered there is a failure on the part of the merchant to complete their contractual obligation. ie I'm thinking that there is probably a breach of an implied term that they will get the goods (in this case the gift card) delivered to your nominated address. I'm not saying the argument is watertight, but from your point of view Dom that is what you should be arguing with them. Also, complaint to your card company is a good idea.

[windy]

Royal Mail are a joke. They obviously employ thieves or leave their depot doors wide open to allow thieves to take what they like via the back door. I got fed up with their service many years ago and have used Myhermes since. RM lost / stole my parcel whilst in their hands so they should compensate me for their incompetence, not ask me to pay extra (insurance) for guaranteed delivery. I am not paying their insurance policy to compensate me for their incompetence!

Do garages ask the car owner to pay damage to the car if the garage technician damages it - no. Why should RM ask it customers to do the same?  Myhermes have not damaged or lost any parcels so far and it is a fully tracked service for no additional cost. Cheaper than RM too.