AIBU to not want to pay to return these goods

[Pennybubbly]

I ordered some kids clothing from a well-known (particularly on MN!) clothing company. I live overseas and when the expected delivery date came and went (5 days late to be precise) I contacted them and was told they'd send a replacement order. All fine.
I then received the two orders on the same day, so I contacted the company to let them know both parcels had arrived.
They told me to return one of the orders, and this is where I want to know if AIBU. Judging from the size and weight of the parcel, I think it will cost in the region of 40 GBP to return the parcel.
The company did say that they would refund the postage after they had received the parcel, but I'm unhappy at having to pay out initally.
I've written 3 emails to them but their message is consistent: pay to return, we have no other policy.
Do I just suck it up? AIBU (and a miserable cow?)

Is one of the parcels unopened? Can you just write "Return to Sender" on it and put it back in the postbox?

I like your thinking scribbler

Suck it up, they will refund you in receipt, can't hope for more than that!

Yes - I didn't open one of the parcels, but I'm overseas, so I don't think I can just write 'return to sender'. Besides which, it wouldn't fit into the postbox - it's too big!

No Fuckwittery, they haven't charged me twice (though it took three emails for them to confirm that).

We have several large post boxes in our apartment block, so the parcels were delivered and left there when I was at work.

I am annoyed that I am expected to cough up initially though.

In one of my emails to them, I said that had they explained that I would be expected to pay for returning the goods if both packages turned up, I would have cancelled the order altogether.
They replied that I would have been charged anyway!

[sigh]

Anybody know legally where I would stand if (hypothetically) I were not to return the goods?

It's hard to say as you are abroad, but I think in some cases you can just tell them to make their own arrangements to collect their items and that if they don't do so within a certain time you can keep them.

By sending a replacement order, they accepted that the first one was lost. Now that both have turned up I think the onus is on the company to retrieve their own parcel.

Maybe post in legal to double check that though

Thanks Sarahandfuck

OP, you could ask them to arrange a collection so that you don't have to pay to return them but AFAIM, legally they are within their rights to ask you to return one order at your expense on the basis that they'll refund you on receipt, however frustrating it may be. I do sympathise but in all likelihood the mix-up is the fault of the delivery carrier they've used, rather than their own customer services (was it DHL, but any chance?!)

By sending a replacement order, they accepted that the first one was lost. Now that both have turned up I think the onus is on the company to retrieve their own parcel

That's a good point and I agree

Thanks Laquila.
I've posted about this in Legal Matters now to see if anyone can give me advice - I don't want to do anything that will have negative repercussions, but nor do I want to have to pay out 50 quid - even if I do get it back a while later!

If it is Boden , I had the same thing and just didn't bother returning the first parcel when, eventually, it turned up.

I had this with a different company.

I said I'd return the parcel when sent a free returns label.

I still have the parcel :)

laquila and no doubt they have insurance or have claimed against the courier for the lost parcel anyway

Ooooh, that's interesting, xylem and liewe.

Yes, it was DHL.
I think I'll email again and ask for a free returns label. Then wait.

They already told me to 'take my time' in returning the goods as I said it was difficult to get to a PO during opening hours.

Now I think of it, 2 of the 3 items are sale stock, so its hardly likely theyd be able to resell anyway, especially if they don't get the return package until July.

I think 'take your time' is code for don't bother!

Just email and tell them you are not prepared to be out of pocket in order to fix their mistake and that you will send the items back once you have received a free returns label.

I bet you never hear anymore from them.

I had similar with amazon. They sent me a package for someone else. I contacted them to let them know - they gave me several unsatisfactory return options - including paying for postage and waiting in for a courier who could only give a 4 hour slot. I contacted them to say that I wasn't happy - didn't hear anything back . The parcel made a lovely Christmas present.

OK, you lot have made me determined. Will send one last email and say I'm not paying to return and ask for a free returns label.