Parcelforce 'Clearance fee'

AnonymousForObviousReason

I'm not blaiming parcel force wholly (although they are taking advantage), government (customs) shouldn't be in bed with any firm and if they are it should at least be a competent firm.

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Which monopolistic position is that then?
What is to stop a sender using DHL, Fedex, UPS etc so that parcelforce are not involved?

Parcelforce have a monopoly on taking customs charges for non-courier services. They are the only company that can do this, which is kind of Monopoly defined.

Also there is still the question of withholding goods being legally uncertain.

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Parcelforce don't have to inform you of anything for the simple reason that by the time they have received the package and processed it, it is too late to use the self declaration option.

If the buyer or the sender didn't look at the requirements for this procedure, this is hardly the fault of parcelforce is it?

I didn't ask them (PF) to do this, as far as I can tell there is no contract, there was no acceptance of this on my behalf. They can send it back to customs and I'll pay them directly (well if they hadn't delivered it already in error).

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

No, I'm not an ex-postie or ex-parcelforce employee. I'm simply someone who believes that a responsible adult is someone who looks at what their obligations will be before going ahead with something and makes a rational choice based on what they find out, rather than someone who goes in blind and then tries to blame everyone except themselves when something unexpected occurs.

All the posters on here have internet access, and it doesn't take more than a few minutes "googling" to find out exactly what the import charges will be.

I did know about the excessive PF charge before (and factored it into my original costs) but only from the sellers site, doing a quick Google search doesn't really bring this up, especially as most people will search for import VAT or duty, not parcel force scam when importing goods.

By the way you now need to pay me £13.50 for giving you this response. You should have searched my profile it's perfectly clear under the "Occupation" section. Don't complain because you didn't know after all a "responsible adult is someone who looks at what their obligations will be before going ahead with something".

shaun_from_Africa

Parcelforce have a monopoly on taking customs charges for non-courier services.

Parcelforce are a courier company (the same as DHL etc) so this argument isn't valid.
Yes, they are part of the Royal mail group, operating as a separate business but they are still a courier company.

Also there is still the question of withholding goods being legally uncertain.

What question?
This keeps getting brought up on the basis of a single comment made by a consumer action group well over 2 years ago.
If what they are doing is illegal, why has no one ever taken legal action against them?

As to your £13.50 charge.
I realised that you were breaking the law as you don't have your registered trading address and contact details (including a telephone number) showing.
As this makes any e-commerce contract null and void, I don't want to help you commit an offence so I've decided not to send the payment.

Freddie_Snowbits

£13.50, that would get you a decent chick breast & stuffing sarnie and a slug of Ale in the yard at the Dog and Duck!

As for our services, we collect payment by brute force.

shaun_from_Africa

Where I'm currently residing, it would get a large plate of hommous, a shwarma, and a warm coke for 4 or 5 people. No ale of any sort here I'm sorry to say. Christmas is going to be fun this year!

AnonymousForObviousReason

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Parcelforce are a courier company (the same as DHL etc) so this argument isn't valid.
Yes, they are part of the Royal mail group, operating as a separate business but they are still a courier company.

Wasn't in relation to what the company is or is not, nor what they are part of. Any package that comes into the country that is not a courier is automatically taken on by Parcel Force and a charge is levied if customs is due.

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

What question?
This keeps getting brought up on the basis of a single comment made by a consumer action group well over 2 years ago.
If what they are doing is illegal, why has no one ever taken legal action against them?

Well many did take it to small claims but the fear from parcel force meant they never defended themselves or paid out of court. If it is legal why didn't they pursue it?

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As to your £13.50 charge.
I realised that you were breaking the law as you don't have your registered trading address and contact details (including a telephone number) showing.
As this makes any e-commerce contract null and void, I don't want to help you commit an offence so I've decided not to send the payment.

Where would you send the payment to? The point is there is no contract because you didn't really accept the offer and it would be an invalid contract anyway due to its unfairness.

Most importantly £13.50 gets me a 1/2 price meal in a local restaurant which is two courses (with £1 change, but doesn't include tip which service always deserves). It would also get me a beating from GF for going out for food without her.

custardy

AnonymousForObviousReason wrote: »

Wasn't in relation to what the company is or is not, nor what they are part of. Any package that comes into the country that is not a courier is automatically taken on by Parcel Force and a charge is levied if customs is due.


.

not true
some express items do
the rest go via RM

Bella_Wilfer

£13.50 seems a reasonable charge for handling customs clearance. It can hardly come as a surprise that the time, effort and cost of dealing with the calculation and payment of VAT and (sometimes) duty warrants a fair payment.

AnonymousForObviousReason

Bella_Wilfer wrote: »

£13.50 seems a reasonable charge for handling customs clearance. It can hardly come as a surprise that the time, effort and cost of dealing with the calculation and payment of VAT and (sometimes) duty warrants a fair payment.

It may be reasonable in which case the market should be opened up and the decision should be up to the consumer.

It's not reasonable if you put it as an APR for this loan -
£21.20 interest only payment being £13.50 for a maximum of 20 days.

custardy

AnonymousForObviousReason wrote: »

It may be reasonable in which case the market should be opened up and the decision should be up to the consumer.

It's not reasonable if you put it as an APR for this loan -
£21.20 interest only payment being £13.50 for a maximum of 20 days.

you have the option to request a courier or that the sender marks you wish to pay the customs directly
if you do it yourself then you only pay in time

bristoldad

Custardy why don't parcel force take us to court when we refuse to pay, anyway just ordered some more stuff from the USA, not even going to pay the VAT this time, looking forward to being taken to court maybe or maybe not.