Royal Mail £8 Internal Post Handling Fee scam?

custardy

SimonWillins wrote: »

My supplier combined two items and this put them over the tax limit. I had no opportunity to pay the tax in advance of the package, even had I know it was combined. It is one thing that I might elect to have RM act on my behalf to pay my tax, but another entirely if I have no opportunity to pay the tax differently, without incurring a fee. Similarly, are we to see employers charge a handling fee to collect PAYE? Do businesses therefore have the right to charge and administration fee to collect VAT, as RM are doing?
I have no issue paying the tax, but I object to fees that are not related to tax which cannot be avoided. If I pay the tax, the parcel should be released upon proof of tax payment. There is no option for this. If there were I would use it.

So you made 2 completely separate purchases to avoid this?

alanmowle

Hi, I more than completely agree, plus the antiquated system while they go and look for your parcel. I have just received a parcel via DHL from Shanghai, £3.27 VAT to pay, which I did online direct to DHL, parcel delivered next day (today), no extra charge or fuss, I was able to track this parcel as soon as DHL picked it up in Shanghai. The Royal Mail is so unionised and protective of itself, it will become increasingly non competitive.

vuvuzela

alanmowle wrote: »

Hi, I more than completely agree, plus the antiquated system while they go and look for your parcel. I have just received a parcel via DHL from Shanghai, £3.27 VAT to pay, which I did online direct to DHL, parcel delivered next day (today), no extra charge or fuss, I was able to track this parcel as soon as DHL picked it up in Shanghai. The Royal Mail is so unionised and protective of itself, it will become increasingly non competitive.

DHL charged you the VAT but not a fee ? Are you a consumer or business user ?

custardy

alanmowle wrote: »

Hi, I more than completely agree, plus the antiquated system while they go and look for your parcel. I have just received a parcel via DHL from Shanghai, £3.27 VAT to pay, which I did online direct to DHL, parcel delivered next day (today), no extra charge or fuss, I was able to track this parcel as soon as DHL picked it up in Shanghai. The Royal Mail is so unionised and protective of itself, it will become increasingly non competitive.

DHL carried it end to end.
How would RM do this?

wealdroam

custardy wrote: »

DHL carried it end to end.
How would RM do this?

Are Royal Mail really unable to answer that question?
Of course I don't expect, nor want, an answer to that question, but perhaps RM should be exploring ways in which they can compete in the global marketplace.

custardy

wealdroam wrote: »

Are Royal Mail really unable to answer that question?
Of course I don't expect, nor want, an answer to that question, but perhaps RM should be exploring ways in which they can compete in the global marketplace.

They already have Parcelforce and GLS.
The point is when an item is (for example) sent via HK post,how does RM control that package before it hits UK shores?

wealdroam

custardy wrote: »

They already have Parcelforce and GLS.
The point is when an item is (for example) sent via HK post,how does RM control that package before it hits UK shores?

Once upon a time DHL wasn't a global organisation.

Now that RM have been freed from their shackles, perhaps they need to expand their operation in a similar manner.

lovinituk

wealdroam wrote: »

Once upon a time DHL wasn't a global organisation.

Now that RM have been freed from their shackles, perhaps they need to expand their operation in a similar manner.

But even if they do, that doesn't stop someone in another country not choosing Royal Mails new global service. Someone still has to deal with the incoming global mail from the umpteen other providers around the world.

custardy

wealdroam wrote: »

Once upon a time DHL wasn't a global organisation.

Now that RM have been freed from their shackles, perhaps they need to expand their operation in a similar manner.

Have they?
So the USO has been removed from RM? Must have missed that.
As has been posted (i'n not sure if you simply don't understand)
Who deals with packets from all the other global carriers?

paddyrg

alanmowle wrote: »

Hi, I more than completely agree, plus the antiquated system while they go and look for your parcel. I have just received a parcel via DHL from Shanghai, £3.27 VAT to pay, which I did online direct to DHL, parcel delivered next day (today), no extra charge or fuss, I was able to track this parcel as soon as DHL picked it up in Shanghai. The Royal Mail is so unionised and protective of itself, it will become increasingly non competitive.

That's very good! Although whenever I've had goods shipped from China, the DHL option has been significantly more expensive than using ChinaPost or similar, which are locally handled by royal mail. The fee is built in to the price, just not separate, as I see it.