Australia Post Lost a DSLR We Sold on eBay, Please Share Your Experience and Thoughts

777 on 17/10/2014 - 13:43
Last edited 20/10/2014 - 14:02

tl;dr: Sent camera worth $650 via AUPost with tracking from Melbourne to Sydney- No extra insurance was bought - looks like Auspost lost it or stole it.

We were clearing up all the impulse buys, and had a Sony DSLR that we bought from Hardly Normal .
Item got sold on eBay for $650 + 15.40 postage ( made no money -lost about $50).

Item was sent via Auspost from Mount Waverley ( Pinewood LPO), there was a big queue and the girl didn't offered me insurance but signature on delivery which I took and paid $22.75 in total( never demanded more money from buyer)

Item was sent on 07/10 and item is in Sydney since 09/10 but still hasn't been delivered to Ultimo (to a business address).

Here is is the tracking

Mon 13 Oct 2014 06:08 With Australia Post for delivery today ALEXANDRIA NSW
Fri 10 Oct 2014 07:34 Processed through Australia Post facility CHULLORA NSW
Thu 09 Oct 2014 11:56 Processed through Australia Post facility UNDERWOOD QLD
Tue 07 Oct 2014 16:19 Received by Australia Post MOUNT WAVERLEY VIC

The guy who bought is a newbie on ebay and has 0 rating, he wanted COD as he did had some issues with paypal, so he transferred in my account, which was fine. Don't want to ruin his first experience as a purchaser and carefully looking at my listing I didn't offered insurance( I don't sell much on eBay)

Australia post are unable to track with item via their Distribution centre. I have raised a case with them, for which they want 10 business day to process.

Looking at their mail policies, they only cover upto $50 if you don't buy insurance, if it is lost , I am liable for $600 ?

Please share your experience or any advise will be highly appreciated !

Update :- AP tells me that the last driver accepted it for delivery and there have been no updates after that.
The DC is getting touch with driver to see if he knows or remember what happens.
Also I took photo of the serial number for lenses and camera, should i raise a police complaint for stolen items

Update 1: Was waiting for their call, as promised, midday today -Nothing.
Called them,they said we have no record of you getting a call back. We haven't heard from DC yet. Please wait 10 Working day, which is next Thursday. Hearing that mentioned to them that I clearly recorded the serial numbers, should I contact AFP and lodge a complaint. They said, please wait until you hear back from us.
Don't think I am going anywhere …don't think they care.

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Comments

  • ChronoTrigger on 18/10/2014 - 16:51
    +1

    Don't know if its been mentioned yet..

    But wouldn't the use of Parcel Locker used by auspost deter 'theft'.
    They have to put it in the locker, if it's not there its certain that it was lost by Auspsot. either way I guess we'd need insurance to cover the cost of the goods sent.

    • Azn310 on 19/10/2014 - 00:05
      +2

      Buyer with zero rating and struggle with paypal, i would probably take the buyer another 5 years to figure out parcel locker.. That or buyer intentionally not wanting to use such service.. because.. reasons…

  • suti on 18/10/2014 - 18:09

    Why does the user (ie the OP) of the service (ie Australia Post) have to buy insurance to cover the service's mistakes?

    Its like going to get surgery, being told if you don't buy insurance and the surgery goes wrong, that's your tough luck you can only sue the surgeon for $50 not the full cost of your loss.

    Sounds like Austalia Post is a protected species.

    • ozhunter on 18/10/2014 - 18:24
      +1

      If AP did have to get their own insurance for losing parcels, how much would the OP receive? He could easily claim he had a few diamond rings in the package.

      • Wallyt99 on 18/10/2014 - 19:12
        +2

        Whilst I think that the OP should have had insurance - I have thoroughly researched this area as part of a Law assignment on the Cth Ombudsman.

        Basically - you are fully in the wrong and AusPost owes you nothing. Auspost regulations place the loss with you.

        BUT - AusPost has the power to offer 'discretionary compensation'. They also must respond to complaints made to The Commonwealth Ombudsman. There is an ombudsmans annual report which specifically mentions securing compensation for misdelivery of a -you guessed it- A diamond ring.

        The absolutely best option is to go to the ombudsman, play dumb, play the victim, and press the issue. Try to get Auspost to pay discretionary compensation.

        I actually dont support this option…but it is your best chance of success.

      • lplau on 18/10/2014 - 22:06

        Nope. you pay insurance for how much you want to insure.
        So basically to take advantage of it, you must ensure that the parcel is stolen or lost, or else you will lose your money to Aust Post for insuring a higher value.

    • 777 on 18/10/2014 - 21:23

      At least offer people insurance at the counter as standard practice, feels like to that's a grey area and AP has no obligation

      I was expecting services delivered for what I paid for.

      • lplau on 18/10/2014 - 22:04

        There is 2 sides to it.
        Do you offer insurance to everybody you serve?
        If you don't then how do you know who to offer insurance to?

        If you ask them what you are sending, then you maybe breaching privacy and will possibly anger the customer.

        • 777 on 18/10/2014 - 23:55

          i did mentioned the girl at LPO that it expensive item and i need registered post

  • drspy00 on 18/10/2014 - 19:31
    +3

    My Mum's ex boyfriend used to work for Australia Post as a contractor. He used to bring all the parcels home with him if he couldnt deliver them that day, often leaving them in his unlocked van where anyone could have taken them. Australia post mostly uses contractors to deliver parcels so you never really can know what might happen to them if other people are as careless as he was.

    • jason101 on 18/10/2014 - 21:20

      Unfortunately I think its probably reasonably common.

  • T1OOO on 18/10/2014 - 22:05

    Always get insurance :=(

  • skillet on 18/10/2014 - 22:40
    +3

    As a seller who deal a lot with AusPost, this rarely happens. Maybe I am just lucky with the distribution center who handles my posts. Yes the postie may leave the parcel on your doorstep that's because signature is not required. That's totally fine with me but please don't accuse the postman for stealing your stuff. The postman driver don't have time to rummage through your junk and risk his job he would rather empty his load at a dump and finish his work early. The person can only get away once or twice but eventually he/she will get caught with all the tracking no leading to the person. Yes there have been cases where postman was caught with loads of letters and parcels at his house but that's just another story.

    • Azn310 on 19/10/2014 - 00:08
      +1

      Wise words have been spoken

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 00:49

    Postal Ombudsman complaint lodged yet?

    • 777 on 19/10/2014 - 01:00

      nope, will wait till monday for their answer

  • worlds_most_wanted on 19/10/2014 - 05:01

    AP rates are ridiculous, they keep raising prices yearly. Unless you have a contract with due to high volume, I would recommend looking into using a courier service. There are plenty of couriers who cover Australia wide, get the job done and have better rates & insurance policies. Collect from your door is a bonus :)
    (I use fastway)

    • 777 on 19/10/2014 - 09:11

      Thanks, do you have to pay extra for the pickup?

      • worlds_most_wanted on 20/10/2014 - 21:49

        Pick up is part of the service at no extra charge, Also there is no re-delivery fee.

        As Azn310 mentioned below, you may be required to purchase a lot of 20 satchels, but if you send on a regular or casual basis it won't set you back too much from the outset. A set of 2 different sized satchels should cover most items if they aren't too large or bulky.

        Example prices (posting from Sydney- scrolls down to ' National satchels')

        Most items I post from NSW get delivered to QLD and VIC within 2-3 business days, WA, NT TAS usually 5 business days. Come with tracking & signature upon receiving.

        http://www.fastway.com.au/images/pricing/nov-13/rate-schedul…

    • Azn310 on 19/10/2014 - 14:10

      I reckon fastway is good if item is sent to receipient in same state, rate is cheaper. If you want to send to different state with cheap rates, they require you to pay upfront for min 20 satchels IIRC

      • Jay43 on 21/10/2014 - 18:26
        +2

        Fastway in Canberra is terrible. I was waiting for a scheduled delivery and called them when it didn't arrive. They told me they are not a courier service and would deliver it the next day. I told the seller what had happened and they rang Fastway and ripped into them and made them deliver the item as they had signed a contract saying they would.

        Now if I buy something and it comes by Fastway I ask for a different postal option.

    • lplau on 19/10/2014 - 17:39

      i find some of the cheaper ones, will charge you for redelivery.

  • ventitre on 19/10/2014 - 12:27
    +2

    personal experience, AusPost is not as reliable as the past, too many mis-delivery, and getting too expensive. Got too many wrongly delivered mail to my mail box, service quality going down. Will they change the administration and management to rescue the service?

  • noyesmaybeok on 19/10/2014 - 17:42
    +1

    Put it this way. When I asked for insurance last time it was 10% of the item cost. They're either making a killing or they lose a heck of a lot of parcels.

    • tramperleo on 19/10/2014 - 21:24
      +1

      $1.00 for $100.00 worth by click and send online.
      $1.50 for $100.00 in post office

      • ronnknee on 21/10/2014 - 10:27

        That's only 1%.

        • LlamaLlamaLamp on 21/10/2014 - 19:18

          tramperleo posted the correct cost: http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/optional-extras-domestic.…

          The 10% mentioned by rochow doesn't apply to domestic parcels….I'm not sure what his 10% refers to.

        • noyesmaybeok on 23/10/2014 - 17:56

          I don't recall exactly, a laptop? $850 with $90 odd insurance.
          I ended up not sending it because lithium are not allowed anyway (apparently I'm an idiot because "obviously you can't send batteries". Funny how every laptop I've ever purchased has come by post, I carry phones and computers onto every plane flight, still waiting for one to explode in my face. Not sure how this would come under the "obviously" category but anyway).

  • Randxyz123 on 19/10/2014 - 19:16

    Firstly OP you really should've bought insurance…. It was a $650 camera…. But I'm sure you know that by now so I won't lecture you on that….

    Also I took photo of the serial number for lenses and camera, should i raise a police complaint for stolen items

    Excellent. But not yet no. Wait for AP to get back to you. If it hasn't come up as delivered on their system the driver clearly stole it. How else is that explainable?

    Make sure you keep the buyer up to date. Apologise and assure him/her that you are trying to sort it out and will let them know when you know more.

  • tramperleo on 19/10/2014 - 21:22
    +5

    I once to be an AP subcontractor and a courier driver. And now I am an eBay seller.

    Coz there's scan of the delivery guy, I don't think he would stole it. If he want to steal it, he would not scan it. Also based on this scan, there's very little chance the parcel was lost in delivery.

    Guess because Auspost made 'signature on delivery' label looks the same as normal parcel post label except a small printing 'signature on delivery'??!! This possible lead the driver regarded it as a normal parcel when doing delivery job in a hurry and do not ask a signature on delivery or just leave it there.

    It seems not a long time from the date you lodge the query, so the postie should still keep the delivery list and can remind where he deliver it. If he send it to the wrong address, usually he can still ask it back. The one receives a wrong parcel usually will keep it for some days to see what's would happen if he don't want to correct it by himself. So the postie still have chance to locate the parcel. But all above based on the driver is responsible and willing to try possible locations when there will be someone home there.

    But if the parcel was delivered to the right address, you will never find it. It should be either stolen by someone else from door step or the receiver just do not admit it. I once delivered a parcel to the right address and got a signature from someone there already, but they claimed to the seller as never got it. When I went back there, the one sign it still said never got it. Lucky i saw the parcel sitting in their lounge room with tracking sticker still on it. Then I got explain that his father sign it, he didn't know about it. I pretended to believe it although I remember it's him sign it.

  • MATTDAMON on 19/10/2014 - 22:13

    Used to work for AP in the transport section (linehaul specifically) parcels used to get sent to the wrong state all the time, especially express post, only takes an incorrect label on a ULD and it gets a grand tour of the network.

    Because its had a scan from the contractor for delivery, there is a good chance its floating around either at the DC or at a LPO/PO and hasnt had an updated scan, it could also be at the DLO, which would of definitely be scanned if it reached there and would have it marked on the internal scan progress (which isnt showen to the general public due to security reasons)

    These days they are really ramping up security, more cameras in DC sort areas, mandatory scans of all product, Bogus GPS parcels (used to track how 'efficent' a contractor is) etc, introduction of secure areas, more movement to touchless sorting and so on.

    As others have said, wait for AP to do their investigation and go from there.

    The other slightly less likely option is the buyer recieved it and asked not to have it scanned as delivered, its not that uncommon for this to happen (and then they attempt to scam the buyer via refund)

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 22:39
    -5

    APO full of thieves and incompetent bludgers

    • c0balt on 20/10/2014 - 16:38
      +10

      Hardya is a thief and an incompetent bludger.

      See, I can make baseless claims too.

    • hksmaso on 21/10/2014 - 18:13

      haha this guy is a genius

  • Pandy on 20/10/2014 - 01:50

    I have had a po box with Australia Post in SA Kilkenny for over 5 years. The workers has been losing my parcels again and again. I buy so many things from eBay and 30 percent of the time it does not arrive. I know it's the workers at the po box because I get other po boxe's mail. I once lost my tax return. They talk about protecting our privacy, what a load if shit. I rang Australia Post and lodged in compliant over 10 times at least in the last 5 years. It was a total waste of time. Still the same shit happens. I still lose 30 percent of my parcels. It's very frustrating as I do not want to change my po box number because I would have to change address with everyone. I send some to my home address and I still lose items. What the hell can I do?

    • Jay43 on 20/10/2014 - 08:45
      +7

      That number is way too high. Go to the police. I have lost one parcel in 15 years of online buying. Someone is obviously profiting from you.

      • c0balt on 20/10/2014 - 16:42

        I've had 1 in 10+ years of online buying with hundreds and hundreds of purchases.

        After 4 weeks of no delivery I made PP claim (got my money refunded) and it came on the 5th week.

        I had bought a few things from the same seller (eBay store and their online store) and they all came within 2 weeks out of China. I never notified the seller that I got the item on the 5th week. I bought a few more things from him as a result, and I still feel guilty to this day that I got the item + refund.

    • malkakas on 20/10/2014 - 12:54

      I think your high parcel lost rate is associated with the area.
      I knew few families lived in the area for about one or two years(they left the area at the first opportunity to move).
      They had many things stolen from them including mail, cloths, car wheel cups, car break ins, and the list goes on.
      your best bet is to change the PO box to somewhere else.

  • bargdebarg on 20/10/2014 - 07:17

    Op that sucks.

  • Albert10 on 20/10/2014 - 09:07
    +3

    OZ post lost my iphone which I sold on ebay a little while ago. after so many phone calls both by me and the buyer, and a couple of months later, they paid us compensation. Although the buyer got her money back, she was very unhappy because she needed a phone very urgently. Luckily she didn't leave a negative feedback for me. But the funniest part was, after we settled with oz post, one day, all of a sudden, the lost phone was sent back to me as a RTS item.

    • 777 on 23/10/2014 - 07:44

      Was there an insurance?

  • bb_hunter on 20/10/2014 - 09:27
    +4

    Did the buyer check with his LPO? May be it was not deliverable and the postie left the camera at LPO but forgot to leave a card.

    • StewBalls on 20/10/2014 - 11:23
      +3

      I don't know why that comment got negged, I've had this happen to me a few times…parcel waiting at PO coz idiot contractor forgot to card me. There's nothing wrong with ruling out the simple stuff first…

      • lplau on 20/10/2014 - 11:31

        Ya, he can go check the local PO.
        However usually when it reaches the local PO it would have an additional scan saying its been accepted by the PO.

    • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 20:29

      yes, buyer claims he has

      • lplau on 23/10/2014 - 11:21
        +1

        Just to make sure the buyer isn't trying to shaft you, maybe give their local post offices a call, and see if they ever received that package. Give them the tracking number.

  • cameldownunder on 20/10/2014 - 11:39
    +3

    I had ordered a big Lego Box from BigW, and ticked their "Leave at door" box in the order page. Litte did I know I was ticking "Post courier, you can have this parcel". So I did follow the parcel in the online tracking, and was very happy that it got delivered. Once home, the parcel was nowhere to be seen. Called the AU Post and they could not care. Called BigW explaining the situation. They were quite surprised by AU post for their behavious, as they are a "Platinum" customer, and have special agreement in place. So calling AUPost again with aquired knowlegde from BigW. Anyway after more phonecalls between the two of then BigW sent another parcel. And AU Post opened an investigation. Few weeks later, the first parcel arrived, as the courier probably got cold feets about the inverstigation. Most of AU Post troubles are arising only on the last leg of the delivery: The couriers. They think just because one lives in a nice place in a nice house, it is alright to steal from him. In case YOU are reading this: IT'S NOT, I have to work too to get money in my bank account.

    • t_c on 20/10/2014 - 13:55
      +2

      Have you tried building a rapport with your mail contractor?

      • cameldownunder on 20/10/2014 - 14:18

        Happened more then 1 year ago, and since then no major issues. And I don't tick or leave instructions to leave at front door. If I'm lucky the parcel goes to a shop that is open on Saturday and Sundays morning.

      • Jay43 on 20/10/2014 - 14:50

        This is the best advice in this thread. Your postie and parcel delivery people are definitely worth getting to know. A small box of chocolates at Xmas goes down very well also.

      • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 20:28

        I have done with my current contractor, he seems like a nice guy.
        The old one's that I had were just unbelievable - same story all the time - no attemt to deliver the parcels, no cards. I will have to tracks via seller info and then know that it has been sitting at post office for collection.
        And the story doesn't end here, one of post office lady will argue every single time, that why there are no cards and number of occasions made me feels like I was careless and lying.

  • ankor on 20/10/2014 - 18:27
    +1

    When I was a receptionist at a lawfirm, we used to get super fast deliveries and the courier guy was awesome. One day, a rather important package went missing, and it was traced back to me as having signed for it. This was not possible since I was out attending a settlement. Subsequently it was found that the Auspost courier had been forging signatures at a number of drops and leaving stuff unattended.

    This obviously created all sorts of problems for recipients who didn't receive their mail on time.

    • King Tightarse on 20/10/2014 - 20:08

      My local guy did that last week.
      He was having trouble finding my parcels on his hand held device as one of the barcodes was smudged. He gave me the parcel anyway and said "no need to sign I'll forge your signature later" (with a laugh) He wasnt joking though. He literally meant it.

      • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 20:15

        That's surely against law and just unacceptable.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2014 - 23:03

          And should be reported to the ombudsman and federal police

  • gstfree on 20/10/2014 - 19:36

    Auspost never require any signature for any mail (including registered) deliver to my workplace. Misdelivery always happens. We always mark RTS for mails not belong to us.

    For anything important and valuable, we will never use auspost.

    • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 20:23

      It could be anything in the mails, tax paper,balance sheet, credit cards, licenses, passport. It is more of an issue when you identity is stolen. I was a victim of identity theft. Dealing with ATO was pleasant until they showed me a big file of me -all I can say, they had everything , more info about me, than my best friend had, at that time.

  • arewethereyet on 20/10/2014 - 19:38

    Did the buyer request insurance?

    Sorry may have missed it but its the end of the day and been glaring at the monitors for too long.

    If not then its not your fault and your in no way liable.

    If the seller had of used PayPal he/she would be covered.

    You cant be out of pocket because a third part service you have used doesn't deliver - for what ever reason yet to be determined.

    Up to you, just wait as it may still be recovered otherwise who is to say the buyer really didn't receive it?

    See how you go it may arrive but if not the buyer has lost out not the seller.

    • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 20:18

      No he didn't. Ebay receipt says "insurance not offered". I don't sell much on Ebay., maybe 10 items tops in 10 years.
      I just chose what was the automatically offered by eBay.

  • erroorfree on 20/10/2014 - 20:54
    +1

    lost $900 worth of telstra sim cards , auspost reimbursed only $100 after 1 month of mucking around. auspost is lostpost

    • 777 on 20/10/2014 - 21:00

      Crap, they already on a low margain
      Can just imagine how long it will take to cover the loss, just from sim cards

  • pmupsinep on 20/10/2014 - 21:57
    +1

    Like any government owned company, there are heaps of opportunistic thieves working for Aus Post. The culture that breeds this behaviour, also protects it. Missing mail and parcels don't just disappear into a black hole, especially on the scale that AP manage to lose stuff.

    Just be happy that someone really appreciates their free, early, Christmas gift from you. And you might score a few dollars compensation if you're lucky.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2014 - 23:05

      APO culture is set from the top. Aren't they controlled by a CEO with no mail experience?

    • MATTDAMON on 22/10/2014 - 11:05

      The blackhole your talking about is the Dead Letter Office, and you would be suprised at how much goes there every day, talking about a semi load per shift, this is a combination of poorly written addresses/no return to sender address/illegal goods/damaged goods etc.

      • pmupsinep on 22/10/2014 - 12:39

        Yep, mostly the non valuables end up there. Small electronic devices or items with high resale value still disappear without trace on an industrial scale.

        • MATTDAMON on 22/10/2014 - 14:05

          Simply put, its quite difficult to steal anything out of DC/PC's these days, even in the 6 years i worked there, the amount of cameras were increased 10x fold, secure areas (meaning its a bagless/personal items bannned, and you are subject to random searches of your person) they are also cracking down on non scan events (a non scanned event means that an item that is delegated/issued to your run is not scanned, you are penalised either by reduction of contract compensation (meaning you dont get paid for that parcel) and frequent non compliance means removal of contract all together. Combine that with GPS jacked parcels (this happens all the time) they know exactly what goes on. They spend a crazy amount of money for their CSG section (corporate security) talking tens of millions.

          So actual theft these days is pretty minimal, i only encountered it twice, both times they were reported and they were escorted off premises and later charged (since its a federal offense to tamper with mail)

          Maybe 10 years ago it was the case where items were walking regularly, but these days it rarely happens.

          Also bit hard to walk out with armfuls of items. Even the uniforms are designed in the way where its difficult to hide items.

  • johnathonjohnson on 20/10/2014 - 22:20

    Someone tried to scam me recently with an iPhone 6 on eBay paid with PayPal. Was quite a clever set up really when you think about it.

    1. Contact seller with legitimate 100% feedback account.
    2. Ask if can pay with PayPal for a slightly cheaper price, to lower cost without eBay fees I guess.
    3. Ask for PayPal address. Send money from a PayPal account with no address and list the 'note' for what its for.
    4. Money hits account and as a seller you assume its fine to send.
      The problem, PayPal iOS app doesnt show whether seller protection is available or not on a transaction.

    Luckily I logged into a desktop version of PayPal and worked it out, sent nothing. Within a few days a dispute was lodged, not even allowing enough time for the phone to arrive anyway even if it was sent. Zero risk for the buyer, would have been iPhone 6 at $0.

    • ronnknee on 21/10/2014 - 10:54
      +4

      I don't really understand this. Can you explain?

      • eug on 22/10/2014 - 16:35

        I think it's like this. Paypal protection only works if the seller sends the item to the buyer's paypal-registered address.

        The scammy buyer doesn't have a delivery address registered on Paypal, so the seller doesn't have any protection.

        The iOS app doesn't clearly let you know that.

        So the seller ends the phone, then the buyer lodges a claim saying he never received it. There is no seller protection because there's no address listed, so the seller gets stung.

    • netsurfer on 22/10/2014 - 23:33
      +1

      Wait… Still a bit odd though.

      As a seller, if a buyer sent you money using PayPal and made a mistake (did not provide an address), you should contact the buyer and inform the buyer that (1) you will refund the money right away and (2) ask him/her to add an address to PayPal (or if at all possible issue a new PayPal invoice to his/her PayPal account.

      If I were to purchase an iPhone 6 (expensive), I would expect red carpet treatment from the seller. As a seller, it is in your best interest to (1) make things as easy as possible for the buyer and (2) try your best to ensure the item is delivered to the buyer quickly and effectively.

      Think about it from the buyer's point of view. Money sent to seller via Paypal quickly. Seller felt address is missing so must be a scam. Seller did nothing (kept the money), of course the buyer would be concerned and lodge a dispute.

  • MelbournianBoy on 20/10/2014 - 23:32
    +1

    Sorry, I didn't read everything here, but:
    What happens if you buy something and tracking says its delivered but you never received it?
    I opened a paypal dispute but as the tracking advice said that it was delivered, Paypal rejected my claim.
    any ideas anyone?
    Thanks

    • StewBalls on 21/10/2014 - 10:20

      I was wondering the same thing myself, I've got a friend in that situation ATM…

  • zeke219 on 21/10/2014 - 00:47

    I do believe it is a part of your fault for not purchasing Delivery Insurance. Anything that costs more than $200 should have delivery insurance. While it is not money wise solution, it does save you the troubles which you are having right now.

    • StewBalls on 21/10/2014 - 10:28
      +1

      I really feel for the OP here, s/he's clearly trying to do the right thing by the buyer & concomitantly mitigate her/his own losses…it's kind of a no-win!

      TBH, at face value I believe that AP should bear some more responsibility. The fact is that the OP entered into a contract with them to provide a service (person to person, signature on delivery); if it can be demonstrated that they have not performed the agreed service (i.e. no sig), then a reasonable person might argue that they have breached that contract & should be held accountable for the OP's financial loss here.

      Certainly there's a strong ethical or moral case to be made to this effect, backing it up legally might be another issue entirely.

      • King Tightarse on 21/10/2014 - 10:55
        +1

        Agree.
        When an item is accepted as a tracked and signed-for item by AP, it would be reasonable to expect them to be liable and responsible for its whereabouts for it whilst under their control; "Duty of care". The time I lost a tracked item with AP, I was told there are specific postal laws which effectively absolve them of responsibility. It will be interesting to see if these provisions are carried over if they are fully privatised as they were written when the concept of the post service was considered just that, a service.

        • noyesmaybeok on 21/10/2014 - 11:38
          +4

          "Oh sorry sir, I know you ordered the steak but it's been lost, you should have bought insurance".
          "Sorry sir I know you deposited $650 into your bank account but we've lost it, should have bought insurance".

          Wouldn't fly in many other industries…

        • Baysew on 21/10/2014 - 18:00

          Your bank example has wings ABC News though.

        • noyesmaybeok on 21/10/2014 - 18:26

          @Baysew: "The bank has paid out $51 million in compensation to victims so far"

          But yes - I can't remember the documentary name, something about the US financial collapse - and they just did whatever they want and fall back on "well any investment has risk…" in court.

          Arguable difference between an investment (has risk), vs me giving you $500 and you losing it when your job was to have the $500 for when I want it back.

  • benbarren on 21/10/2014 - 17:02

    had same issue happen to me when australia post lost a watch of similar value altho the tracking lost it in NYC. if a paypal dispute is initiated by the buyer there will be chargeback on the account at which point u go into mediation with paypal where u and the buyer each make cases as to whether u did the right/reasonable things expected of seller/buyer. will then depend on what product u bought from australia post and if u have evidence of sending the item. if u did there is toss of the coin in your favour it will go to your advantage.
    it is ridiculous how little responsibility australia post take on this and the lack of products they offer. i bought one that had some kind of paypal insurance/tracking/coverage but really all it meant was i could after many months get $50 back. have never sent an item of value through AusPost again. Get your evidence ready for Paypal.

    • Baysew on 21/10/2014 - 17:54

      Get your evidence ready for Paypal.

      Not sure about the rest of your post, but your last sentence doesn't apply to OP.
      (australia post lost a watch of similar value altho the tracking lost it in NYC. ? )

      It wasn't a Paypal transaction.

      he wanted COD as he did had some issues with paypal, so he transferred in my account, which was fine.

      • benbarren on 21/10/2014 - 18:16

        sorry didn't read thread fully, if it wasn't paypal and money has been transferred then other than ethics - then he has sold and sent item, legally.

  • Gadget Guy 44 on 21/10/2014 - 23:12
    +12

    I was fed up with Australia Post deliveries in my area in Western Australia. I had 28 failed deliveries of parcels. I complained to the Postal Ombudsman and it was useless. So, I took Australia Post to court to seek compensation for failed deliveries as Australia Post has an obligation under the Act to deliver throughout Australia. A representative from senior management of Australia Post in Melbourne attended via audio conference; I was given financial compensation and given an email address and direct phone number if there is any failure in delivery at my residential address in the future. My suggestion is to take Australia Post to Small Claims Court in your state and you will be surprised how things suddenly change in terms of Australia Post failing to deliver/losing your packages. I even provided tracking as evidence and showed how other postal operators like Malaysia Post, Hong Kong Post, United States Postal Service and Canada Post were more reliable than Australia Post. Management of Australia Post don't like that being brought up in court.

    • King Tightarse on 21/10/2014 - 23:16

      Thats is fantastic. Good on you! I am sure you would be a shoe-in for TV coverage if you wanted it.

      • c0balt on 22/10/2014 - 19:08
        +1

        Pretty much the only thing worse than watching ACA/TT is to be on it.

    • 777 on 23/10/2014 - 07:59

      Good on you to make an initiative.
      Was it easy to get a date in the court.
      Also would I be liable for the lawyers costs if for some reason they get favoured

  • netsurfer on 21/10/2014 - 23:21

    The parcel went to the wrong state (QLD) before reaching the correct state (NSW). Was it posted using your own packaging?

    Has the buyer inquired about why the item has not yet arrived? If yes, is he/she seeking a full refund?

    There was once where the item I sent did not have the item delivered event shown on AusPost Web site. However, I checked with the buyer and the buyer confirmed it has arrived.

    For item failed to reach the buyer, I would refund the money. Every time an item failed to arrive or arrived damaged, it is going to cause trouble.

  • marbss on 22/10/2014 - 00:03

    Auspost is hopeless. My wife sent something for next day mail from Perth to Sydney with signature. It got there 2 weeks later with no signature. Luckily it was just paperwork and we had a copy. I complained and got a phone call from Auspost customer service agent. I don't have any hope that they understand root cause analysis or process improvement nor will change. Unfortunately in your case, you are responsible regardless of how irresponsible Australia Post is. You can try taking Auspost to small claims court to claim your money back. The transaction between you and the seller - you will lose because the seller can prove you were negligent because you did not take out insurance.

    • McFly on 22/10/2014 - 10:37

      you will lose because the seller can prove you were negligent because you did not take out insurance.

      And the basis of this is…?

  • ostsee on 22/10/2014 - 12:18

    Australian Post lost my parcel of an iPhone 5S last month.

    I didn't know what happened but Australia Post only offered to reimburse $50.00

    Worst service ever.

    Thu 02 Oct 2014 09:02

    Customer Enquiry lodged MELBOURNE VIC

    Fri 19 Sep 2014 06:42

    Processed through Australia Post facility GRANVILLE NSW

    Wed 17 Sep 2014 09:51

    Received by Australia Post GUILDFORD NSW

    No update since then.

  • The Gent on 22/10/2014 - 14:39
    +2

    Lookup lesntag.com - it peruses the net to see if any of the equipment you own has been used to post photos to the net (through the metadata). May be worth a try, seeing as you have the serials.

    Good luck, brother.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/10/2014 - 15:43

    What happened then OP, any update? Where are we now?
    It's not acceptable, I mean anyone in AP could grab a free bargain and move on giving no $#!T to poor owner!
    THAT SHOULD CHANGE for sure! Insurance industry has changed the face of morality.

    • 777 on 23/10/2014 - 08:04
      +1

      No update yet,when I called them on Monday they said they were kinda rude.
      Had no record of collection back and advised no point of calling them until. They finish their investigation for 10 days

  • motion2082 on 22/10/2014 - 17:09

    Australia Post lost my friends Adhesive Glue in the Mail (worth $65)

    No Insurance

    No Refund

    Australia POST = FAIL

    Funny thing was, it was in one of their tracking sachels….

    • McFly on 22/10/2014 - 18:44
      +13

      Must've got stuck along the way…

  • lplau on 23/10/2014 - 11:19
    +2

    Australia Post awesome as China Post.

    China Post is so awesome that you can send a package, it will be opened and things will be stolen, then they repackage it as if it has never been opened.

    Had a friend who sent a bottle of good rice wine back to China, when it arrived, the bottle turned into water, there was no sign that the bottle was even opened!

    Had another friend who sent a present and a red envelope (with money), when it arrived, it didn't look like the package has been opened, but the red envelope was gone.

    Lol even better time when a friend sent a legit LV bag there, and when it arrived it turned into a fake LV bag.

  • bargainjargon on 23/10/2014 - 14:16
    +1

    Aus Post lost a lens I sold for $300. No insurance. It had tracking but it got lost somewhere before it arrived to the buyer. I sent through a claim and showed them the original receipt (it was purchased recently along with a camera) as well as the eBay documents related to the sale. They gave me $110. I think that's as much I could get without insurance. I thought it was $100, not sure how I got the extra $10.

    Aus Post was very friendly throughout the process (or at least the people who I dealt with were) and was fairly quick about it. I probably delayed things since I went on holidays during the claim process. Still sucks though losing a few hundred as well as the time spent going through the claim process. Gotta remember to buy insurance next time I sell something worth a couple hundred.

    • lplau on 23/10/2014 - 16:01
      +1

      That extra $10 would have been for the postage.
      The rule for me is that anything over $100 = get insurance and charge the customer for it. They are usually happy to pay for it.

  • mike0mike0 on 23/10/2014 - 23:41

    I have had similar experience with StarTrack.
    Eventually I got my item after 10 or so days.

    What I believe happened was the item was delivered to a post office with wrong record.
    So after five days, no one claimed for the item so it was shipped back to central distribution where they assigned the item to designated address again.

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