Royal Mail Destroyed My Package!

ym_21

Sold my Canon 5D MK2 and Canon 24-70mm MK2 (total £2000) this week and I included 2 spare camera batteries.

I sent this package via Royal Mail Special Delivery (£2000 insurance) and today the buyer contacted me telling me they have not received the parcel. I phoned Royal Mail and they said because my package contained batteries they had to destroy it for security reasons.

Because batteries are now a prohibited I cannot claim any compensation so now I have to refund the buyer and I have lost £2000 worth of equipment.

I understand Batteries are now a prohibited to be sent but did they really have to destroy the package? I don't know what to do now, I sold the camera gear because I needed the money...

campdave

Where you asked about the contents of the package when sending it, and if so, what was your response?

theonlywayisup

ym_21 wrote: »

I understand Batteries are now a prohibited to be sent but did they really have to destroy the package? I don't know what to do now, I sold the camera gear because I needed the money...

So you understood it, still did it and now question it. Did you expect RM to carefully open your prohibited item and take out the bits that were ok?

soolin

Are they now suggesting then that all our parcels are x rayed? If not how on earth do they know what is in each parcel?

Dimey

Can you still claim on the registered post insurance?
Might be worth getting a copy of the T&Cs to see whether your type of camera batteries really were banned at the time of posting.

You could try putting a claim in given that you didn't know beforehand that tiny camera batteries would trigger a security alert. And (presumably) the clerk at the Post Office didn't tell you even though he knew the contents was a camera. Don't hold your breath, just worth a punt.

Oh, you'd better ask the Post Office to confirm what they did in writing.

If not - I wonder whether you can claim on your house insurance.

penelopedee_2

Our local post office says they now have to ask what is in each parcel, and hand out leaflets about what is restricted or allowed. I think the rules have changed recently. It doesn't matter if its an overseas parcel or a UK one now, we still get asked. Most sensible items are allowed but some need labels on to show what is inside and we get asked to put our address on the back in case of any problems. I know that doesn't really help now, but they should have leaflets so you know what to send in future.

soolin

My local Crown PO doesn't care at all what's in the package, all they care about is the value so they can up sell to special.

If you are already sending special they ask the value (never what the item is) in case they can sell more insurance.

Big_W

This needs some more clarification as to how exactly the camera and batteries were packaged.

Lithium Ion batteries ARE allowed to be sent WITH electronic equipment - subject to packaging and labelling requirements.

From the RM website

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Tell-me-about-Restricted-Goods

"Batteries - lithium ion/polymer batteries sent with, but not connected to, an electronic device

The maximum number of batteries allowed in each package is the number that may be connected to the equipment plus two spares. "

barmonkey

soolin wrote: »

My local Crown PO doesn't care at all what's in the package, all they care about is the value so they can up sell to special.

If you are already sending special they ask the value (never what the item is) in case they can sell more insurance.

I have posted over 40 parcels since this came in and I have been asked whats inside 3 time, I tell them its a photocopier part and everything is fine. it could contain flammable material, batteries or even be magnetic but they are happy with the description.

marking_bad

Why are the royal mail suddenly scared of batteries? Does this change buying batteries online?

custardy

marking_bad wrote: »

Why are the royal mail suddenly scared of batteries? Does this change buying batteries online?

plenty of threads on this already
no doubt there will be many more like the OPs soon
I wondered when the first would come