Postage paid returns at the Post Office

scottishminnie

I had a surreal experience earlier today in the local post office.


I had a parcel to return to Figleaves - it has a postage paid label.


Parcel (sturdy little box) was well wrapped and secure with the label attached.


Lady behind the counter weighed the parcel and then asked what was inside to which I replied "clothing". She then said that's not specific enough, she needed to know exactly what, quantities and value. I gave her the value but said I didn't think the specifics were needed to which she informed me without them she could, and would refuse to take the parcel. At this point she also advised I needed to give my full name, address and postcode for it to be recorded on the parcel.


I asked for the parcel back - wrote "contents - clothing" on the reverse along with my surname and postcode. On handing it back through the glass she said it wasn't acceptable and she wasn't taking it without the full info. In the end I took it to another post office who accepted it without question.


Since when did a parcel need to state "3 pairs of black knickers worth £35" sent from Mrs XXXX, XXXX address, xxxx postcode????


Bizarre or what

molerat

My SIL had a similar experience posting a parcel last week, she was asked what was in it and specifically asked about clothing, when she told them socks they said that's OK ??

Several POs seem to have developed their own views on the prohibited and restricted items lists, SILs friend was told that perfumes are prohibited altogether which is not true. My local asked if there was any perfume or batteries in a package, didn't bother asking if there were weapons, ammunition or clinical waste though :rotfl:

philatio

^ This.

All they need to know is that it's not on the list of prohibited goods for posting. Unfortunately, some POs think this gives them the right to be nosey little Hitlers.

Use a different Post Office and complain via the Post Office website.

Buzby

Or use Collect+ - I gave up with RM years ago.

scottishminnie

Before she even weighed the parcel she rattled off a list of what was unacceptable contents - explosives, perfumes, aftershaves, gas canisters etc etc. It was after that she asked what was in it - perhaps I was supposed to be more specific and say "non explosive, non scented clothing"!


There are 2 post offices within equal distance - I'll stick to using the other in future. Much less hassle.


The only collect+ nearby is a convenience shop in a not so nice area. I'm not sure my wheels would still be attached when I came back to my car

Sally22_2

They dont need to ask you whats inside a home shopping return parcel anyway, no matter what the size...

starrystarry

One of the blokes at my local post office has an uncanny ability to guess the contents of parcels. It amazes me. Fair enough, some parcels are pretty obvious but he's correctly guessed several of mine that have just been nondescript boxes/jiffy bags. I very much doubt I'd be able to sneak a gas canister past him, put it that way.