Can I get a refund for Express Mail not delivered on time?
Waiting for a parcel to arrive can only be compared to watching paint dry. However, if a delivery is late, you may actually have the law on your side. We at RunRex have decided to help you understand your rights in case a package is late. We ensure that our customers have the best experience when they trust courier services with their package.
What to do when a package is late
Sometimes you may request a package, but the company closes shop before it is delivered. Such a firm may still hold your package at their depot, but it means you may have to pick it yourself. When a package is late, remember that you had a contract with the retailer and not the delivery company. In such a case, you will need to contact the retailer for the full refund. If you collect it yourself, you can also request a refund for delivery charges.
Whom should you contact for a late package?
Ideally, if a package is late, you need to get in touch with the retailer. However, although the retailer will give you compensation, you can get in touch with the courier if the package is late. UPS has a customer service line that can help you find where your package went. Thus, if you know UPS is delivering your package, try to contact them. If that fails, get in touch with the retailer.
What the law says
A law came into effect in 2014, which gives you immense power. You can, after 14 days of receiving your package notify the seller that you no longer want it. After that, the law gives you 14 days more to send the package back to them. According to this law, the package should not be opened and should be in its original packaging. Thus if your package is late, you are assured that you can send it back and receive your refund. This involves items which you buy online but pick them at a local store.
The 30-day mark
The law says that a package ordered online should arrive within 30 days. If the order goes beyond this time, you can legally have it canceled, and you will be awarded a refund. However, you will need to read the terms and conditions of the store about canceling your order. If the item has been dispatched, it can be very difficult to cancel the order. You have to wait for it to be delivered and return it to get the refund.
Get the store to agree
Unless the store says that the order would arrive by a certain date, getting a refund is hard. Ensure that the store agrees to a specific deadline. That way, if it goes beyond that, you know not to shop from them again.
How long does a refund take to process
After you send the package back, the shop can only issue you the refund once they receive that package. Thus, it will depend on how long it takes to get to them. This can be anywhere from one week to a month. After receiving your package, they are legally obliged to give you a refund in 14 days.
Who pays for the postage
The company is also responsible for paying you the postage. Thus, include a receipt of the amount you paid to post the item back to them. However, you have to use the least expensive method to get back your refund. You are supposed to pay for the cost of sending the item back unless this is not clear in the terms and conditions of delivery.
What if you still want to keep the item
By law, an item has arrived in good time if it arrives within 30 days. In some circumstances, you may want to claim compensation because you no longer have a purpose for the item. This is covered under ‘consequential loss.’
About the UPS Express delivery
UPS specifically states that a package will arrive at a specific time if you pay a certain amount. Under the law, they are obliged to fulfill that obligation. Since they have specified that expected arrival times, you are guaranteed of a refund. The only refund that UPS will issue you is the charge for the delivery. Essentially, your package will have been delivered to you at no charge.
How long does it have to be late?
Technically, even a five-minute delay means your package was late. However, there are practicalities to consider. For instance, would the time you spend haggling for a refund be better spent making money? In most cases, people who ask for refund have a significant amount to gain from it. For instance, a business that uses UPS service could potentially recoup a lot of money if they ask for the refund.