Gents
Just a heads up that RMSD insurance isn't necessarily all it is cracked up to be. A few months ago I sold a mint Seiko SJE093 on this forum to a member in Scotland. The watch was packaged correctly and sent RMSD with enhanced insurance.
For some reason the watch got to the Glasgow sorting centre but was then diverted to Belfast, where after a couple of days it made its way back to Glasgow and finally to the buyer.
When it arrived with the buyer the package had clearly been opened and then resealed with Border Force tape. The assumption is that this happened in Belfast (where the watch was never supposed to have travelled to in any case). Upon opening the package it appears that Border Force had cut the lining of the presentation box and had also put the watch back in the presentation box without securing it using the 'hooks' that are in the box to keep it securely in place.
As such the watch was loose in the box, got bashed and sustained damage that Seiko quoted £1150 to fix.
After various escalations Royal Mail have concluded that as there is no damage to the packaging the damage wasn't sustained on its journey with them and they won't pay out. They want to take no responsibility for the fact they erroneously sent it to Belfast, where Border Force messed about with it.
Their communication below;
Thank you for your email on the 22nd*December 2023, regarding the damage of a Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm[emoji2400] item, reference xxxxxxxx* I was sorry to learn*the watch you sent was received damaged.
*
I understand you believe this item was damaged at Border Force whilst on its journey through the Royal Mail postal network.* I appreciate that this item should not have gone to the Northern Ireland Mail Centre, and this is where it would have been passed to Border Force to have been opened and inspected.
*
After investigating the packaging from the photographs you have provided, the item was packaged according to Royal Mail packaging guidelines and as there is no damage to the outer packaging of the item, I can determine this item was not damaged throughout the Royal Mail postal network.* Upon inspection of the damage to the watch box and the watch itself.* *I cannot confirm if this was damaged by Border force,* an investigation was raised to them however, no information was located to indicate that this item was damaged whilst in their care.* Under normal circumstances if any damage were to happen whilst an item is in Border Forces care they would place a letter inside the packing after opening it, to inform the recipient of the damage and how to make a claim.
*
As I have no evidence that the damage to the box the watch was held in and the damage to the watch itself was caused by Royal Mail or Border Force whilst in the postal network, I am not able to award any compensation in this case.* If you still believe that this damage was caused by Border Force I must advised to contact them and place a claim, details for Border Force and how to contact them can be located at*Border Force - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)*in the Contact Border Force section of the website.
*
In closing I would like to that this opportunity to thank you for allowing the Postal Review Panel to review your complaint and once again, please accept my apologies for the problems this matter has caused.
*
This is the Postal Review Panel’s final decision on behalf of Royal Mail regarding your complaint.* If you are unhappy with our response you can make an application to the independent body POSTRS (the Postal Redress Service), which is free of charge.* For clarity, POSTRS is an alternative dispute resolution body, which is entirely separate from Royal Mail.* POSTRS will be able to advise you if your complaint falls within the scope of the scheme rules and the information sheet below provides information about the scheme.
*
Further information and an application form for POSTRS can be obtained through their website*www.cedr.com/postrs; by writing to POSTRS, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8BU; email:*postrs@cedr.com* or telephone 020 7520 3766.* Please note that you must make an application to POSTRS within 12 months of the date on this correspondence.
*
Yours sincerely