contract-law germany shipping
DHL lost packet, Sender does not answer
<p><strong>The Scenario</strong>
I bought a notebook online from a private person. As he lives to far away, we agreed on he sending it via DHL. I paid the money, he took the packet to the mail office, but the packet got lost on the way.
DHL started a search, but on my request refused to inform me about the state, with the reasoning that I shall ask the sender, as he holds the contract with DHL.</p>

<p><strong>The Problem</strong>
The sender is not responding to my email, texting, or phone calls. How can I get my money back?
Is he required to give me back my money, since I did not receive the notebook? Or shall I blame DHL?</p>

<p>Both me and the seller live in Germany, so answers regarding German law would be appreciated very much :)</p>

<p>Details about the transaction:</p>

<p>I did pay by bank transfer/SEPA, the sender is an individual, he gave me a copy of his ID card, we made no special agreements on refunds or whatsoever</p>

<p>According to <a href="http://dejure.org/gesetze/BGB/447.html" rel="nofollow">BGB §447</a>, by default the <em>purchaser</em> is liable if a purchased good is damaged/lost in transit:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>§ 447 Gefahrübergang beim Versendungskauf</p>
  
  <p>(1) Versendet der Verkäufer auf Verlangen des Käufers die verkaufte
  Sache nach einem anderen Ort als dem Erfüllungsort, so geht die Gefahr
  auf den Käufer über, sobald der Verkäufer die Sache dem Spediteur, dem
  Frachtführer oder der sonst zur Ausführung der Versendung bestimmten
  Person oder Anstalt ausgeliefert hat.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>"Erfüllungsort" is a synonym for "Leistungsort", and according to BGB §269:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>§ 269 Leistungsort</p>
  
  <p>(1) Ist ein Ort für die Leistung weder bestimmt
  noch aus den Umständen, insbesondere aus der Natur des
  Schuldverhältnisses, zu entnehmen, so hat die Leistung an dem Ort zu
  erfolgen, an welchem der Schuldner zur Zeit der Entstehung des
  Schuldverhältnisses seinen Wohnsitz hatte.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>So, if I am reading the BGB correctly, then it's you, the purchaser, who bears the risk of the goods getting lost during transport.</strong></p>

<p>The seller probably has the obligation of <em>helping you</em> to make a claim against DHL. But the loss of the package is between you and DHL, I'm afraid.</p>

<hr>

<p><em>Notes:</em> </p>

<ul>
<li>This only applies to purchase from a private individual. If you, as a consumer, purchase from a business ("Verbrauchsgüterkauf"), the business bears the risk of shipping (BGB §474).</li>
<li>There is an article on eBay's help pages which also explains this:
<a href="http://www.ebay.de/gds/Versandrisiko-fuer-Kaeufer-und-Verkaeufer-/10000000005717031/g.html" rel="nofollow">eBay: Versandrisiko für Käufer und Verkäufer</a></li>
<li>All this probably only applies if both seller and purchaser live in Germany. For international deals, the rules are (even) more complicated...</li>
</ul>

<p>Not specific to Germany but see here regarding privity of contract. </p>

<p><a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/q/1037/166">Is there a recourse against UPS for not delivering packages on time?</a></p>

<p>Generally speaking, unless Germany has different laws or different default contractual arrangements, DHL owes you nothing. Your agreement is with the owner who is the person that owes you either your goods or your payment.</p>

<p>Unless you took ownership before the DHL picked it up. In the US we call this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOB_%28shipping%29" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FOB</a> in which case the buyer is responsible for damage or loss during transport but I highly doubt that is your arrangement.</p>
