Royal Mail - Grey Card

PompeyPete

Just received a 'Grey Card' from Royal Mail.  It states that the local Delivery Office in Southport is holding an item addressed to me, for the following reason.....

'The sender did not pay the full postage'.   The amount due is £6.70.

I'm not expecting anything through the post, and the amount due suggests that the item is a fair bit larger than simply an envelope.

I've tried phoning the Southport Delivery Office, but my efforts have all ended up with automated questions and generic automated answers.

I could go to the Delivery Office to view the package, but as I don't drive a return journey entails catching4 buses, which with Covid lurking I'd rather not do.
Any suggestions please?

PS.  I'm also curious how a package [not letter] could have got into the Royal Mail system without it being accepted over the counter by Royal Mail in the first place, ie. making sure that the correct postage was paid.

KatrinaWaves

Many packages would fit into a mailbox. Simple as that.

If you are not expecting anything I would ignore it. I am not 100% sure they will even show you the package before you pay for it. I would casually ask friends and family if anyone had sent me anything (Christmas is coming...) recently and tell them why youre asking, and if no one affirms they have, Id ignore it. Or pay £6 to sate your curiousity. Wouldnt be worth my time to get on 4 buses to look at it, even if they were free!

Spank

It could be an early Christmas present. I'd get in touch with people who would normally send you things without asking what you want & ask them if they have sent you anything.

elsien

Could have gone straight into a parcel delivery post box which they're starting to do now, so wouldn't have been near anyone to check it.
Parcel postboxes (royalmail.com)
It's 3.50 flat fee for a small parcel with either no or incorrect postage (now that is a rip off) so half the amount could be that. It'll be returned to sender, if known, if  you don't collect it. 

[Deleted User]

Many people buy postage online now and print their own labels, so again someone could of just thought it was one size when clearly it wasn’t. 

Ectophile

Ultimately, your choice is to go to the sorting office, pay the money, and see what you've been sent.  Or don't go and the parcel gets sent back to the sender.

The Royal Mail won't let you see what's in the parcel before you decide whether or not to pay for it.

PompeyPete

Thanks for the replies.  I've phoned everyone I know who may have sent me a parcel, but no takers.  So I'm ignoring the 'Grey Card'.

Spank

Aww I want to know what it is.