PO asking what's in the parcel

robatwork

I've not sold anything for a while and when at the Post Office today, was surprised to be asked the contents of my box by the clerk. Is this their normal policy now?

I know the RM postie who collects parcels at the office doesn't ask what is in each one....

byjimini

Sometimes it's to do with batteries. Some are quite apologetic and you can laugh about it, others are quite serious and will reject if you joke about it containing a couple of AA's.

Other times they want to know so they can upsell a more expensive service with more expensive insurance.

JuzaMum

I seem to get asked every time now. A pain when I sent my teenage son to post a parcel without telling him what was in it. They started asking before Christmas.

molerat

It is normal and has been the case for at least a year now. Have you read the restricted articles leaflet ?

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/DangerousGoods_Leaflet_July2013.pdf

campdave

There are restrictions on items such as perfume and batteries which are either not postable or require specific packaging.

If any items are put through that do not conform, they can be destroyed if they are x-rayed.

So the Post office are tasked with checking to see if the items are on the list for checking, and advising about packaging if they are.

The postman doesn't check the parcel contents when he collects, as the Post office staff will have done this.

robatwork

campdave wrote: »

The postman doesn't check the parcel contents when he collects, as the Post office staff will have done this.

OK well this bit doesn't make sense. Do you mean that our parcels go through x-ray after he has collected?

I did some research on RM and did get a bit of a laugh:

Balloons
Balloons filled with non-flammable gases are permitted but these must be clearly marked on the outer packaging with the words ’ BALLOONS FILLED WITH NON-FLAMMABLE GAS’.


Perhaps we should mark the outside of everything we send with the contents?

mgdavid

The staff are badly trained (if at all) on this topic. As I frequently tell them, it is none of their business what is in a parcel that I send. It is sufficient for you to say, 'there are no items on the prohibited list in the parcel' and leave it at that.

DigForVictory

molerat wrote: »

Have you read the restricted articles leaflet ?

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/DangerousGoods_Leaflet_July2013.pdf

Worth reading to enjoy the icons in my opinion.

byjimini

mgdavid wrote: »

It is sufficient for you to say, 'there are no items on the prohibited list in the parcel' and leave it at that.

It is. Maybe it would be more polite of them to ask if there is anything inside the parcel that is on the prohibitive list, rather than "WOTS IN THA BOX?", as the old bint in my local used to do.

RFW

byjimini wrote: »

It is. Maybe it would be more polite of them to ask if there is anything inside the parcel that is on the prohibitive list, rather than "WOTS IN THA BOX?", as the old bint in my local used to do.

It probably would be easier, but the majority of people who go in the Post Office have no idea what's on the restricted list even if it's under their nose. Plus people will always answer no, even if they've got half a kilo of semtex. If they ask what's in it, then they're more likely to tell the truth.

I agree though, it is a pain. I rarely use counters and generally I forget what's in which parcel if I send a batch out.

The other side is that when they tell them what's in the parcel they can have a twenty minute chat about it while some poor sap waits behind them. I know more than I need to about Kindle Fires thanks to that exchange recently:mad:

robatwork

I like to watch the world burn (from flammable gas) so next time I will declare (in caps):
BALLOONS FILLED WITH INFLAMMABLE GAS

will say it very quickly too. Or maybe go with unflammable. Or just say Helium. Or say Ammonia. It's farcical that the RM expects the counter staff to be experts on chemistry .