Parcelforce holding package hostage

texranger

RFW wrote: »

I was pointing out that it isn't a matter of pleading with Parcelforce, they won't/can't change their minds and waive the fee. I've often chatted to a Parcelforce guy I know who works on their depot, he gets 20+ customers a day shouting at him when they have to pay duty and charges, he pretty much stands their listening and then asks them to pay up or go.

well this is because PF have paid this on your behalf and they just want this money back off you.

its like you going to tesco get all your shopping go through checkout and then remembering you forgot the milk, so you go and get the milk and then say its ok i will take this as ive already paid for my shopping. do you think tesco would let you have the milk. i dont think so, the same as PF they wont let you have your parcel until they have been fully paid.

custardy

confusedmummy wrote: »

I just spoke to UK customs and they said it is between me and Parcelforce and that I need to speak to Parcelforce. They also said that they didn't think Parcelforce would return it to my auntie??? What, so Parcelforce get to keep my son's present? He suggested I speak to Parcelforce and explain that it is a gift.

yes,because HMRC have already had the duty paid

lovinituk

RFW wrote: »

I was pointing out that it isn't a matter of pleading with Parcelforce, they won't/can't change their minds and waive the fee.

Absolutley. I just have a bee in my bonnet about them asking for payment first!!

My biggest problem with them is that if you wait for the letter/invoice they send in the post to say how much you owe, its usually 4 days at least after the package has arrived at the local depot (in my area anyway). Because its usually stock for my business I can't afford unneccessary delays, so I don't bother with that and just keep an eye on the online tracking to see when its in. But then I have to drive to the depot to pay and pick it up costing me time and petrol. Then, sometimes they get stroppy if you don't have their letter that they probably haven't even processed at this point anyway!

Compare that with the regular deliveries I receive via DHL and Fedex. The goods are delivered directly to me without me having to wait 4 days or more for their invoice first. They invoice me a few days/weeks later and then I pay the fees. I get the goods quicker and I don't have to spend my own time/petrol going to their depot!

Perhaps custardy might know the answer to this - If other couriers can do it like this, why have Parcel Force chosen to insist on payment first? Is there a legal reason why they do it?

lovinituk

soolin wrote: »

Royal Mail certainly won't deliver without receiving payment first. At least that gives the recipient a chance to refuse a parcel, rather than have it delivered and get the bill a week later.

I was referring to other couriers like Fedex and DHL - see my post above.

custardy

lovinituk wrote: »

Absolutley. I just have a bee in my bonnet about them asking for payment first!!

My biggest problem with them is that if you wait for the letter/invoice they send in the post to say how much you owe, its usually 4 days at least after the package has arrived at the local depot (in my area anyway). Because its usually stock for my business I can't afford unneccessary delays, so I don't bother with that and just keep an eye on the online tracking to see when its in. But then I have to drive to the depot to pay and pick it up costing me time and petrol. Then, sometimes they get stroppy if you don't have their letter that they probably haven't even processed at this point anyway!

Compare that with the regular deliveries I receive via DHL and Fedex. The goods are delivered directly to me without me having to wait 4 days or more for their invoice first. They invoice me a few days/weeks later and then I pay the fees. I get the goods quicker and I don't have to spend my own time/petrol going to their depot!

Perhaps custardy might know the answer to this - If other couriers can do it like this, why have Parcel Force chosen to insist on payment first? Is there a legal reason why they do it?

because they choose to.
If you think about it,it makes more sense.
how much time/money is wasted chasing folks for money
If you hold the goods then its either pay or don't get them.
Its the way RM group does it for PF & RM.

lovinituk

custardy wrote: »

because they choose to.
If you think about it,it makes more sense.
how much time/money is wasted chasing folks for money
If you hold the goods then its either pay or don't get them.
Its the way RM group does it for PF & RM.

I did suspect that this was the reason why. What do they do with the packages that people do not pay the charges/fees on and subsequently never collect?

martindow

lovinituk wrote: »

Perhaps custardy might know the answer to this - If other couriers can do it like this, why have Parcel Force chosen to insist on payment first? Is there a legal reason why they do it?

Not custardy! I think PF handle a lot of parcels sent by foreign post offices so probably deal more with individuals and want to avoid the hassle of chasing large numbers of invoices. Fedex etc have a greater proportion of business customers geared up to being invoiced.

The bonus of PF is that they quite often let items that should be charged come through without payment. Fedex, DHL, etc always seem charge.

custardy

lovinituk wrote: »

I did suspect that this was the reason why. What do they do with the packages that people do not pay the charges/fees on and subsequently never collect?

back to HMRC to get their payment refunded i guess

barmonkey

mazza111 wrote: »

It really depends on the value of what's inside the parcel as to what you are being charged for. £18 for goods from outside the EU or £40 if it's a gift.
[URL="http://"][/URL]

isnt it £15 now.

RFW

barmonkey wrote: »

isnt it £15 now.

Yes it is.
I'm not sure what happens now, but a few years ago the unclaimed parcels, be they generally undelivered, wrongly addressed or duty unpaid were sent to auction, I assume this still happens but am out of touch with that side of the auction business. They used to offer tenders to auction houses to bid for the contract to sell the goods.