Should my packaging and trip to the Post Office be refunded?

I was sent the wrong satellite TV system from an Ebay retailer but when I asked the seller to arrange a pick-up, this was refused.

Instead I had to wrap it up, take it to the Post Office and pay £7.19 postage. I have been refunded the cost of the postage but not the materials or getting to the Post Office.
Ron Piper

Mr Piper was annoyed the seller would not pick up the product, because it was the seller’s fault he had been sent the wrong item. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 states that the buyer should not be out of pocket if they have been sold faulty goods or sent the wrong item.

Whether a claim for the cost of the packing materials and trip to the Post Office would be successful is doubtful. If Mr Piper wanted the seller to refund this cost he would have needed to include an invoice with the returned item.

However, the seller could argue that Mr Piper should have re-used the original packaging. We realise this may not have been possible and the law is reasonably clear on what his rights are regarding out-of-pocket expenses.

A judge would have to decide if a case such as this has any merit, even if he had included the invoice. Perhaps in cases such as these, the retailer could offer a small discount by way of apology.