Waitrose Executiven complaints team may have breached Data Protection Act principle 2 ?

boo_star

LilElvis wrote: »

Customer hands over parcel. PO employee asks what is in the package. Customer answers "It's XXX". Customer's time wasted, 10 seconds.

OP hands over parcel. PO employee asks what is in the package. OP gets incandescent as they answered that question when they purchased their postage online, tears the employee off a strip. OP goes home and then spends several hours phoning and emailing both Waitrose and the PO about having spent an extra 10 seconds more than necessary in handing over their parcel. OP is further incensed when Waitrose email him a customer satisfaction survey. Time it would take a reasonable person to read and delete said message - 10 seconds. OP fires off further emails / makes more calls/ posts on an online forum about the egregious use of his personal data/ starts an official complaint with the ICO ........

Someone has too much time on their hands if 10 seconds of their time is worth so much aggravation.

I could see it being embarrassing if the answer was “a vibrator” but I suspect the OP wasn’t trying to post a sex toy.

LilElvis

boo_star wrote: »

I could see it being embarrassing if the answer was “a vibrator” but I suspect the OP wasn’t trying to post a sex toy.

Just answer "a battery operated item for personal care"

boo_star

2e0arr wrote: »

Do they question the contents of a parcel put straight into the post box not requiring a certificate of posting ?

Obviously not.

If it was finacially viable to have manned post boxes they’d exist.

But given the outrage people have over their parcels being destroyed for containing prohibited items it seems quite sensible to make sure a parcel doesn’t contain any prohibited items where possible.

I can only imagine the number of threads you’d generate if they didn’t ask and your parcel was destroyed. Something along the lines of “Parcel destroyed for prohibited items and P.O. didn’t ask me what was inside.”

LilElvis

2e0arr wrote: »

Do they question the contents of a parcel put straight into the post box not requiring a certificate of posting ?

Obviously not. They also wouldn't receive the same compensation should their parcel be lost.

I'm still incredulous that someone would go to such extreme lengths to complain about having 10 seconds of their time wasted. "Disproportionate" doesn't come close to describing your reaction. "Ridiculous" is nearer to the mark in my opinion.

LilElvis

The OP might also want to spend/ waste more of their valuable time asking for this thread to be moved to the Praise Vent and Warnings board as there doesn't appear to be a Consumer Rights issue here.

boo_star

LilElvis wrote: »

Obviously not. They also wouldn't receive the same compensation should their parcel be lost.

I'm still incredulous that someone would go to such extreme lengths to complain about having 10 seconds of their time wasted. "Disproportionate" doesn't come close to describing your reaction. "Ridiculous" is nearer to the mark in my opinion.

They spent even longer complaining about Santander sending them a text to ask if they wanted to switch to paperless statements.

waamo

boo_star wrote: »

They spent even longer complaining about Santander sending them a text to ask if they wanted to switch to paperless statements.

I apologise for suggesting green ink was used after seeing that.

It was clearly green crayon.

2e0arr

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Why do you think that you were incorrectly asked about the contents?

Yes, you had already paid the postage and answered the questions asked but these questions were asked by Royal Mail so they they knew what the contents were and to ensure that they were acceptable for them to carry.

When dropping off the package, you were dealing with a second company (the Post Office) and possibly even a third (Waitrose).
They wouldn't have access to the information that you gave on the website so there is nothing wrong with them asking what is inside of the package that you expect them to accept and take responsibility of.

What if the contents were fragile or heat sensitive?
Surely you don't think it unreasonable for them to know what is inside so they can take any precautions that may be necessary whilst the package is in their care.

you are incorrect and lack knowledge. the post office procedure is not to ask whats is inside.

2e0arr

LilElvis wrote: »

Customer hands over parcel. PO employee asks what is in the package. Customer answers "It's XXX". Customer's time wasted, 10 seconds.

post office procedure is not to ask whats in the package even if postage paid at the post office and not online.

custardy

Wow,just wow.......