To feel fucked off at having to describe the contents of my parcels to all and sundry in the post office queue?

[u32ng]

Just returned from a trip to the post office (bad enough at this time of year too!): Anyway, apparently my answer of "chocolates" & "a kitchen gift" were not sufficient explanation for its contents and ended up having to say "chocolates", "trivia game", "kitchen gadget for your pans to stop them from boiling over".

I swear a man in the queue let out a snort of amusement at the last one!

Proceded to do same with the 2 other parcels I had.

Why can they not just ask if you're sending anything prohibited or not?! I don't have to itemise the contents of my suitcase at check in so why for my parcels? It feels so bloody embarrassing!

[Perfectlypurple]

I send my do to the post office for parcels and he has no idea if the contents -even though they are being sent to his side of the family! If I do tell him he forgets and has to ring me from the post office queue. I think it is quite a new thing for them to ask.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Blimey your lot like their detail don't they? I've never gone into so much detail on my customs forms!

[londonrach]

I know. I had that last week. If you dont tell you you cant post it. If its something dangerous surely you wouldnt tell as postman is taking your word the item doesnt have a battery etc.

[GemmaTeller]

I'm sure the people who work in the post office are just as pissed off with people being arsy with them when they ask the question.

[londonrach]

My parcels were being sent within the uk and contained a game, purse and keyring and a kit to make something.

[DidoTheDodo]

I had to return a duplicate "mystery box" to company via the PO.

Counter Clerk; "What's in the parcel?"

Me; "Er... I'm not sure really, It's a mystery box. Sort of fun random stuff. I think there might be a bottle opener in the shape of a Mexican"

Anyway, she was so impressed she took down the name of the company for her own Christmas shopping!

[Theboodythatrocked]

Snort at the bloke snorting over the gaget to stop pans boiling over!

Tell them it's a dildo and butt plug for your grandparents.

Should shut them up.

[crazyspaniel]

It's a totally ridiculous system. Has it not occurred to them that if people want to send prohibited items that they might, you know, lie?

[VeganCow]

I feel the same. Just lie. Say its a soft toy or something. Pisses me off.

[BigBoobiedBertha]

Yes, they do have to ask. I have talked to them about it before now as I am in there quite a lot and they hate doing it but they were told by an inspector that they had to.

Sometimes I feel like saying it is 1/2lb of Semtex and a box of matches but that isn't fair on the ladies at the counter - they'd probably have to press the SWAT team button or something and the paperwork would be appalling .

They don't ask me for all that detail though.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

DH took a parcel to the Posy Office and claims the clerk asked him if it contained Chrismas cards, "because they have to be posted separately at a different rate". Naturally he lied through his teeth rather than fork out separately for the cards, but surely that's not right is it?

[hoppingmad]

It's ridiculous - what are they hoping to achieve with this new system? Not the fault of the frontline staff but annoying nonetheless.
I use couriers now, Royal Mail have just become a pain and not competitive. You still have to put a description, Books and soft toys normally covers it.

[Enjorasdream]

People still use the post office for parcels? I use Hermes online. I just sent a 5kg parcel from London to York for £6.50, paid online they picked it up this morning, and I can track it every step of the way online. You print out the address label and barcode on your printer and sellotape it to the parcel. You can also drop them at a local pick up shop ( normally local corner shops) if you can't wait in all day.
You do have to tell them what you are shipping, but as it is never anything dangerous I just always put something like DVD, chocolates, clothing, to save having to go into great detail. And that info is not put on the label.

[tiredvommachine]

You aren't supposed to put cards in with the parcel? Oops, I did when I sent my parcel on Monday to Australia. Never even thought about it!

[CakeAndWineAreAFoodGroup]

I usually tell them that it's nothing prohibited.

If they persist, I tell them it's a soft toy or a book, nothing they could get arsey about.

My mind goes blank when they ask me as I do post 50-60 things per day anyway.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Oh, I've realised that I have assumed that these are parcels going abroad, but that's not what you're on about, is it!?

So why do they need all that info for sending within UK, it actually sounds like more info than the customs form asks for.

[CakeAndWineAreAFoodGroup]

DH took a parcel to the Posy Office and claims the clerk asked him if it contained Chrismas cards, "because they have to be posted separately at a different rate". Naturally he lied through his teeth rather than fork out separately for the cards, but surely that's not right is it?

No. A postage stamp is a postage stamp. Postage is set by the size and weight of the envelope. Irrespective of whether you send a Christmas card, a gas bill or blackmail letters. :)

[shelley1977]

I had to do this last Christmas too as well as multiple times this year. It is a bit frustrating at times especially if its a real mix of stuff sent to family in one box as the want every detail.

[WerewolfBarMitzvah]

My mind goes blank when I'm put on the spot. I genuinely couldn't remember what was in the package I had put together just a few hours before. I got a bit flustered and listed the things I was going to buy but didn't..
'Oh it's a babygro, no actually I didn't get that. It's a plate but not the one I wanted....'
Cringe.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

Thanks Cake. It is a new Post Office counter, opened up in our village shop because the Post Office closed down. Presumably they just got it wrong then?

Though having said that, the old Post Office had form for only quoting you the most expensive way of sending your parcel, which is probably why people stopped going there.

[onemiddlefinger]

I agree! I just came back from post office as well and luckily didn't have anything embarrassing, but it does feel personal to answer these questions. At the same time if you post anything at the self checkout no one cares...
Maybe we could all agree on an answer for this, like "4 teletubbies and an orange peeler" and soon there will be some interesting statistics...

However the lady asked me to put my address on the back of the mumsnet secret santa gift, I said I don't want to but apparently it is not optional...

[MelanieCheeks]

I had my list written down. Partly so I'd remember what all was in it, but also so that the Post Office people could see I had read the rules and knew what was expected. It did save shouting it out so all the queue could hear.