Returning a battery by post - new prohibited item restrictions

PollyOnAMission

I bought a mobile phone battery from Play Trade and it arrived yesterday, however they'd sent me the wrong one.

I contacted the seller and they said they'd post me the correct one; in the meantime they asked me to post the incorrect battery back (2nd class large letter) and they'd refund me the 69p.

I just went to buy the postage online and it came up with the new warnings regarding prohibited items. It says,

"Lithium ion/polymer/metal/alloy batteries when not sent with, or contained in/connected to an electronic device, are prohibited."

As this is a solo lithium ion battery with no phone etc being sent with it, does this mean it's impossible for me to (legally) post it back?

campdave

Ask the seller what they want you to do - if they're selling batteries, they should be up to speed with whats allowed and what isn't.

From what I understand, packages below small parcel will not be checked, however, none of the items I sell are on the blacklist so I'm definitely not an expert.

PollyOnAMission

Their response so far is that these rules only apply when posting overseas, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case.

I can't see anything here that suggests it only applies to overseas postage
http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-Prohibited-Goods

When I tried to buy the postage online I had to tick a box confirming I wasn't sending anything prohibited. I checked the prohibited list and realised what I was sending was on the list. I really wouldn't be comfortable ticking the box knowing I'd be lying, even if the package is unlikely to get checked.

Edit to add: I've just phoned Royal Mail. They confirmed that they will no longer carry solo lithium ion batteries; the only way to send such items via post is with an alternative courier.

What a kerfuffle.

campdave

The rules changed on Monday to include domestic post. You'd think someone who trades in batteries would be aware and have got their house in order.

molerat

Most sellers will ignore the regs and nothing will be done about it until the first post office / postal van goes up in flames which in all honesty is not going to happen.

PollyOnAMission

I guess it's their business whether they break the rules or not, but in the case of me returning an item to them (that was sent due to their error, not mine) I'm hoping they're not going to insist I break them!

As for them knowing the rules, they said "this is news to us" which I guess says it all.

custardy

molerat wrote: »

Most sellers will ignore the regs and nothing will be done about it until the first post office / postal van goes up in flames which in all honesty is not going to happen.

Its not the vans,but with regards to planes etc

ballisticbrian

Please note that there's a separate set of rules for business and what they can send and ordinary people. How that impinges on "returns" - no idea. But it does seem to me, on the face of it, that this is another "let's screw the seller over in anyway possible" - after all, they offered to pay your return postage.

campdave

ballisticbrian wrote: »

But it does seem to me, on the face of it, that this is another "let's screw the seller over in anyway possible"

Would love to hear your reasoning.

ballisticbrian

Would love to hear your reasoning.

For just a start:

does this mean it's impossible for me to (legally) post it back?

The OP has not asked, how do I send this back legally, via which couriers or what are the laws regarding batteries, but the turn of phrase "does this mean it's impossible to send it back"

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

ballisticbrian wrote: »

For just a start:



The OP has not asked, how do I send this back legally, via which couriers or what are the laws regarding batteries, but the turn of phrase "does this mean it's impossible to send it back"

To be fair the seller has sent the wrong item and unless the seller provided the OP with written terms stating they need to return rejected goods then the OP doesn't have any obligation to do so.

They've also told the OP to return via a method they can't.

OP how much did you pay for the item?