Post Office wanting to know all contents.

RFW

custardy wrote: »

nobody used couriers for mobiles before this month?

I'm sure they did. So should I infer from your post that you don't think RM will lose or have lost business from this change?

custardy

RFW wrote: »

I'm sure they did. So should I infer from your post that you don't think RM will lose or have lost business from this change?

I dont see the point
the changes have been brought in from a safety point of view.It hardly a business move
Would you rather they ignored the advice and bunged everything on planes?

RFW

custardy wrote: »

I dont see the point
the changes have been brought in from a safety point of view.It hardly a business move
Would you rather they ignored the advice and bunged everything on planes?

I never actually expected an argument. I was merely making a point that they are likely to lose business from it.
Why are couriers able to carry and RM aren't?

custardy

RFW wrote: »

I never actually expected an argument. I was merely making a point that they are likely to lose business from it.
Why are couriers able to carry and RM aren't?

Ask RM
The fact is RM are subject to different regulations on many levels

I just looked on DHLs UK site

http://www.dhl.co.uk/en/express/shipping/shipping_advice/lithium_batteries.html

Please note that the safe transportation of such contents by air and the full compliance to IATA regulations is the legal responsibility of the Shipper. In view of this fact, IATA has produced a guide to help Shippers understand and comply with the regulations.

seems it is something that has been ongoing

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/aircarrier_info/media/Battery_incident_chart.pdf

and i f you want recent

http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/ups-dubai-crash-gcaa-final-report-links-accident-to-lithium-batteries-2013-07-25-1.515438

Jamie_Carter

RFW wrote: »

You've never been at an airport when someone was asked to ditch their bottle of perfume then?
There does seem to be a few different agenda with Royal Mail's policy here. They have lifted several previous restrictions.

I've actually just had a mobile fixed on an insurance claim and it is being returned by courier, so looks as though it's another area RM are now losing out.

Ok, the odd ignorant person who has had their head buried in the sand for years, and doesn't realise that there have been tightened security restrictions for the last few years, then maybe they might complain.

From what I understand, with many items RM aren't banning them, but they just have to be packaged in a certain way. And then they place a sticker on the parcel to warn of it's contents.

Jamie_Carter

custardy wrote: »

nobody used couriers for mobiles before this month?

Erm, DPD and TNT have been delivering mobiles for years.

Jamie_Carter

RFW wrote: »

I never actually expected an argument. I was merely making a point that they are likely to lose business from it.
Why are couriers able to carry and RM aren't?

You will probably find that others will start doing the same very soon.

I should think that they started with RM, because mail often goes via passenger aircraft. Now I may be wrong on this, but I don't think this is the case with couriers.

custardy

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Erm, DPD and TNT have been delivering mobiles for years.

My point exactly

Naf

custardy wrote: »

sigh,you realise this is a safety issue?

No, a safety issue is asking a specific question: "Are there any batteries in these packages, including inside any electronic equipment"; or "Could you have a look at this list (poster/leaflet). Is there anything on that list inside your parcels". Not "What, exactly, is the contents of this package. And inside this one. What about this one. And the 1,000th?".
My issue, and it seems shared by many posting through the thread, isn't with them wanting to ensure the package is safe; but with them asking about the exact contents when its none of their business - especially when its really just a sales ploy to convince people to pay up for unnecessary services. And worse when its taking even more counter time and there's already ridiculous queues.

Jamie_Carter

Naf wrote: »

No, a safety issue is asking a specific question: "Are there any batteries in these packages, including inside any electronic equipment"; or "Could you have a look at this list (poster/leaflet). Is there anything on that list inside your parcels". Not "What, exactly, is the contents of this package. And inside this one. What about this one. And the 1,000th?".
My issue, and it seems shared by many posting through the thread, isn't with them wanting to ensure the package is safe; but with them asking about the exact contents when its none of their business - especially when its really just a sales ploy to convince people to pay up for unnecessary services. And worse when its taking even more counter time and there's already ridiculous queues.

It is a security issue. But maybe there is a training need in teaching staff how to ask the question.

Or maybe through experience they know that some people don't realise what exactly is in the parcel. For example, someone posting an iphone may not have even considered that it contains a lithium battery. So they have to ask what is inside the parcel, in order to actually deduct what is in it.