Perishable goods not collected by buyer
A perishable item was shipped to a customer (free shipping). The buyer didn’t call for the item after missing delivery.
The item has subsequently been returned to us and is now not fit for sale.
What options do we have?
Do we have to give any / full refund?
8 replies
Seller_ejwc84JNL5Uk6
Unfortunately you will have to refund in full. Buyer didn’t receive their order (I know I know!!) so seller has to refund in full.
Seller_z6B2L9xab6HlP
Seems like it’s another difference of the law and Amazon policies…
Seller_Gq0aGvAqLaCsZ
We have had the exact same problem
We sent perishable goods with another product out via 24 hour courier, full tracking on Amazon and SMS.
He wasn’t in, didn’t bother to contact the courier to arrange re-delivery
I Emailed him twice via Amazon
Left a message on his phone
Sent an SMS
and replied to his negative feedback (he managed to find the time to write that - but not fill out the form on Parcelforce to arrange re-delivery) with how to contact Parcelforce
After 1 week of waiting - I arranged the (spoilt perishable) goods to be returned.
I then deducted the price of the perishable items from his refund and haven’t heard from him since
As far as I’m concerned
Perishable items cannot be cancelled and cannot be returned.
I read interflora’s flower terms carefully (as it would be a similar situation) - and they don’t refund for flowers that fail to be delivered due to the fault of the customer.
There is nothing on the internet that actually covers this scenario as far as I can find, therefore I just read it that although I am responsible for goods until it reaches the customer, If they fail to bother collecting goods they are actually cancelling the contract - which they can’t do with perishable items.
Can’t see they have a leg to stand on, if you have done everything possible
Seller_Gq0aGvAqLaCsZ
Also forgot to add
I asked Amazon to remove the negative feedback and the did!
Seller_Gq0aGvAqLaCsZ
Yes, My loss amount - not what he paid - though I was still out of pocket due to the cost of sending, then returning.
I would still love to get it in black and white somewhere what the exact law is
I’ve read lots about perishable items not being cancellable or returnable, but this is all about when the customer actually receives the item
Nothing on the internet that I have ever found about what the law states if not collected and left to die/perish
This must affect so many companies who send flowers/ fresh food/ fish/insects.
If someone could point to me the correct legislation I would be very very happy
