parcel force - item sent to Uruguay instead of USA!!!

simran_2

Hi,
I sent a parcel on 31 march to USA and after waiting several weeks when it didnt reached, i called parcelforce today. I used international standard (not trackable service) so the customer service couldnt tell me anything. They keep insisting it will get there. I called again and found a nice lady who took my reference number and she was able to track till it left UK and she told me it was destined for Uruguay !!!! I said it was sent to Texas -USA how come its going to Uruguay . She said she cannot answer that but she asked me to file in a claim asap so that it can be investigated.

The contents were well over £150 and i paid £73 in postage.
They say i can claim 150 as compensation. Will they refund postage also excluding 150?

Has anyone ever experienced somethng like this. Is there any chance the parcel is not delivered and comes back to me.

I feel so awful!!!

greyteam1959

Thats why I stopped using parcelforce years ago.......
The tracking number you are given is absolutely useless for an international parcel......it only tracks the parcel until it leaves the UK then no tracking at all !!!
Thats parcelforces answer the everything.....file a claim but thats not really the point is it.
You should get the value of the goods plus the postage you paid as compensation.
They are absolutely useless........but as you probably know they are the cheapest way to send a parcel ( no VAT is one thing ).
If you really want a parcel to be delivered safely abroad you have to use a carrier such as UPS but they charge maybe 3 times as much.

digerati

Chuckle. The joys of international shipping. Don't Panic! It'll get rerouted to the correct destination once it reaches Uruguay.

I recently got a delayed package from Amazon.com that made its way to NZ via Thailand (where it got rerouted). It's also happened in the past where mail to NZ has stopped over in Malaysia or Singapore (according to post marks) so it isn't too uncommon especially with automated address readers at the postal centres.

simran_2

thanks digerati. you made me feel better:)

changkra

I frequently send parcels to Thailand which are able to be tracked all the way providing the sent signed for

martindow

changkra wrote: »

I frequently send parcels to Thailand which are able to be tracked all the way providing the sent signed for

I don't think International Signed For really tracks anything apart from a record of delivery. The parcel leaves here and a signature should be obtained on delivery (which you can check) but there is no tracking along the way as you would get with companies like Fedex or UPS who note dates and times every time the parcel enters and leaves a depot. As has been said before for this you would pay a lot more.

simran_2

changkra wrote: »

I frequently send parcels to Thailand which are able to be tracked all the way providing the sent signed for

Yes thats true for DHL/Fedex but not for parcel force. Even if the service is tracked, they dont know once it had left UK.You have to wait till it gets delivered.

simran_2

mervyn11 wrote: »

Thats why I stopped using parcelforce years ago.......
The tracking number you are given is absolutely useless for an international parcel......it only tracks the parcel until it leaves the UK then no tracking at all !!!
Thats parcelforces answer the everything.....file a claim but thats not really the point is it.
You should get the value of the goods plus the postage you paid as compensation.
They are absolutely useless........but as you probably know they are the cheapest way to send a parcel ( no VAT is one thing ).
If you really want a parcel to be delivered safely abroad you have to use a carrier such as UPS but they charge maybe 3 times as much.

I talked to parcel force and they say if its lost then they say I can claim max upto £150. They say they will not refund the postage. I dont understand this as clearly the service i paid for wasnt given to me.
Any one had this experience before? Can i complain to any independent organisation/small claims as £75 in postage is no joke.

dmg24

Unfortunately, had you read their website prior to sending. you should have known that your compensation was limited to £150 in total. There was the option to buy additional cover.

Therefore Parcelforce are in no way in breach of their terms and conditions, and you have no means of recourse.

simran_2

dmg24 wrote: »

Unfortunately, had you read their website prior to sending. you should have known that your compensation was limited to £150 in total. There was the option to buy additional cover.

Therefore Parcelforce are in no way in breach of their terms and conditions, and you have no means of recourse.

Yes i agree but isnt it consumer rights to receive services they pay for? I mean they havent provided me the service they charge me for so i should get a refund.

dmg24

They are refunding you, up to the value of £150.