Can't send parcel without buying something!

LucyToons

I have just been to my local Collect+ store/newsagents and they told me that I have to buy something from the shop to send a parcel now!  Surely this is illegal?

marcia_

 The shop owner is trying it on. Report them and choose a different drop off for now 

[Deleted User]

Just buy a bag of dolly mixture. I do whenever I use corner shop courier service things. They’re a shop just trying to survive. If they cannot make a profit somewhere, somehow, you might soon find you no longer have a shop to drop your parcels at.

Wonka_2

LucyToons said:

Surely this is illegal?

Under what law ??

As others have said shop has to make a profit to continue to trade - if it's parcel business is forced on it at a fixed price and is loss making then they're entitled to add conditions to provide the service which make it more worthwhile.

As can be seen in may elements of how it operates the parcel market seems to be on a self-destructive race to the bottom

LucyToons

[Deleted User] said:

Just buy a bag of dolly mixture. I do whenever I use corner shop courier service things. They’re a shop just trying to survive. If they cannot make a profit somewhere, somehow, you might soon find you no longer have a shop to drop your parcels at.

I get that, but if I have no money on me surely they can't force you to buy anything just to send a parcel?

LucyToons

Wonka_2 said:

LucyToons said:

Surely this is illegal?

Under what law ??

As others have said shop has to make a profit to continue to trade - if it's parcel business is forced on it at a fixed price and is loss making then they're entitled to add conditions to provide the service which make it more worthwhile.

As can be seen in may elements of how it operates the parcel market seems to be on a self-destructive race to the bottom

Maybe illegal was the wrong word (having bad brain day with words) but surely they can't force you to buy something to send a parcel?

DullGreyGuy

LucyToons said:

Wonka_2 said:

LucyToons said:

Surely this is illegal?

Under what law ??

As others have said shop has to make a profit to continue to trade - if it's parcel business is forced on it at a fixed price and is loss making then they're entitled to add conditions to provide the service which make it more worthwhile.

As can be seen in may elements of how it operates the parcel market seems to be on a self-destructive race to the bottom

Maybe illegal was the wrong word (having bad brain day with words) but surely they can't force you to buy something to send a parcel?

As long as it's not because of your race, sexual orientation etc they can flat out refuse you entry to their shop if they want not just limit sending parcels to those making purchases. 

They may be breaching the terms of their agreement with Collect+ but that would be between the two of them and just a breach of their contracts not "illegal" or anything you can enforce. If you want you can raise the matter with Collect+ who may say they think it's acceptable or may take it up with the retailer. 

Alternatively just but something for pennies. 

Belenus

I went to a pub and asked the barman for the wifi password.

He said, “you have to buy a beer first.”

So I bought a beer and asked again for the password. 

He said, “youhavetobuyabeerfirst.”, all lower case with no spaces.

LunaLater

Wonka_2 said:

LucyToons said:

Surely this is illegal?

Under what law ??

As others have said shop has to make a profit to continue to trade - if it's parcel business is forced on it at a fixed price and is loss making then they're entitled to add conditions to provide the service which make it more worthwhile.

As can be seen in may elements of how it operates the parcel market seems to be on a self-destructive race to the bottom

Forced on it how?

Wonka_2

LunaLater said:

Wonka_2 said:

LucyToons said:

Surely this is illegal?

Under what law ??

As others have said shop has to make a profit to continue to trade - if it's parcel business is forced on it at a fixed price and is loss making then they're entitled to add conditions to provide the service which make it more worthwhile.

As can be seen in may elements of how it operates the parcel market seems to be on a self-destructive race to the bottom

Forced on it how?

If they're part of a buying group (Spar/Costcutter/Londis etc) there may be terms negotiated centrally that their members have to offer the service

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

I would imagine it would violate the terms of the agreement between the shop and the courier company to place such barriers they may prevent customers from sending parcels but if I kicked up a fussed about such a thing I would obviously be smart enough to never leave a parcel in their care going forward