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Original poster

Miffed about how they want me to give back lap top

89 replies

baddirk · 17/05/2024 17:30

I recently left a nightmare company and job. Based in continental Europe. I was the only hire outside of their country.

When I left, they told me that shipping back the lap top is too expensive and that whenever one of them comes to London, they'd meet with me and I could return it.

I was not impressed but said ok let's see if the date and time and location lines up and we'll see if it's possible.

Assuming they'd check if I was available and maybe meet me half way or something ( london is massive of course ).

Anyway it's transpired that one of them will be in town in a couple of weeks and wants to meet to pick up lap top. I thought they'd say, where do you want to meet ? But I'm expected to go somewhere almost 1.5 hours away from my house and it's really pissed me off.

Aibu ? It's brought back a lot of negative feelings and it pisses me off that I have to go on a 1.5 hour mission to give this lap top back. At the same time, I do just want to put this all behind me.

I may ask the colleague to meet me half way, but even that pisses me off. I don't think colleague will be able to meet me anyway, as they're at a conference.

OP posts:
TeenLifeMum · 17/05/2024 23:09

This thread is fascinating. I’m nhs so probably different but we’re responsible for returning our equipment. On Monday my colleague had to drive the hour commute to hand his stuff in. No way would we pay mileage etc.

HcbSS · 17/05/2024 22:59

I will be at X place at X time (suitable for you). If you want it, come and get it.

HermioneWeasley · 17/05/2024 20:39

Tell them what your hourly rate is for the three hour journey.

Cofaki · 17/05/2024 20:29

Tell them that they need to either send a courier to your address (and give some days they can do that) or provide you with a prepaid shipping label and you will take it to the post office.
If they ask for anything else just copy and paste that message again. They are taking the Mickey.

Ginkypig · 17/05/2024 20:29

If they want it back they either have to arrange a courier ant their expense either to the office or to the colleague or arrange for colleague to collect the 1.5 hours to you to pick it up.

send this in writing that you save a copy of so they can’t say you’re trying to steal anything.

MushMonster · 17/05/2024 20:24

Can you post it somewhere in London convenient to them? And they can pick ut up?
Like a parcel delivery centre?

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 17/05/2024 20:19

How many years have you been using the laptop.

Just makes me wonder how desperate they are if they can't pay a courier fee to pick up a second hand several years old laptop

coxesorangepippin · 17/05/2024 18:12

This is where blocking comes in

ToxicChristmas · 17/05/2024 18:05

Agree with responding telling them that you can't travel to this location due to distance and that you can send the laptop via courier to the venue or to the home office at their expense and to please let you know either way. Leave the ball in their court. It's not your problem. You are not refusing to return it. As long as there was nothing in your contract about you being responsible for the cost of returning equipment (which I'm sure there is not) you are fine.

MonkeyHair · 17/05/2024 17:58

Definitely don't go to the venue. Either suggest meeting somewhere suitable to you, get them to collect from you or courier (in an Uber!!) to the venue.

Caroparo52 · 17/05/2024 17:56

"Sorry not possible to make pick up . I am able to courier laptop at your expense. "
End of. Their choice

Aquamarine1029 · 17/05/2024 17:56

Don't be a doormat. If they want the computer they will have to pay to get it.

AuditAngel · 17/05/2024 17:53

I was recently made redundant and my former employer wanted me to finish on a Monday, but attend the premises on Tuesday to return all my IT equipment etc. I pointed out that once I ceased to work for them, they no longer got to dictate my movements. My lawyer made them change my last day to one that worked for me and the equipment was returned that day

Original poster
baddirk · 17/05/2024 17:52

Shinyandnew1 · 17/05/2024 17:47

How did they get the laptop to you in the first place?

If tell them you can’t travel 1.5 hours to take them a laptop because you’ll be working. If they want to arrange a courier to collect it from you and take it to the conference, then they can let you know the details.

I went to HQ in person to meet everyone, that's when they gave it to me.

OP posts:
ByUmberViewer · 17/05/2024 17:52

I was in a similar situation.

I asked them to meet me halfway. They sent a courier to collect it instead.

They're just trying it on

DontSetYourselfOnFireToKeepOthersWarm · 17/05/2024 17:50

Totally up to them to arrange the return of the laptop. I would not be going anywhere or doing anything other than maybe waiting in for a morning (convenient to me) for someone to pick it up from me.

PBandJ111 · 17/05/2024 17:48

Get them to get a courier.

Shinyandnew1 · 17/05/2024 17:47

How did they get the laptop to you in the first place?

If tell them you can’t travel 1.5 hours to take them a laptop because you’ll be working. If they want to arrange a courier to collect it from you and take it to the conference, then they can let you know the details.

Original poster
baddirk · 17/05/2024 17:45

In previous roles they always arranged a courier.

I just had to print to a label and find a box.

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 17/05/2024 17:44

You don’t have to be available. They can send someone to pick it up.

my company always sends a prepaid box when I need to return tech. I do have to drop it off at a shipping counter, but that is local and if I put up a fuss they would arrange for home pickup. It’s just less hassle to drop it off.

soupfiend · 17/05/2024 17:41

Why dont you suggest a closer meeting point, at your convenience. If they refuse then say that they will have to courier the item.

Original poster
baddirk · 17/05/2024 17:41

Thanks everyone. They also never offered to pay for me to get to my colleague of course.

I'm so pissed off. This says all you need to know about the company and why I left.

OP posts:
SBHon · 17/05/2024 17:40

baddirk · 17/05/2024 17:36

Ah ok so I can get a courier in london to take it to my colleague in london. I have never used a service like that before but I'll do some research.

Nooo. Don’t do this OP. They’re taking the piss. Put your foot down and tell them it doesn’t work for you and that they can send a courier.

JacquesHarlow · 17/05/2024 17:39

They should organise the UK courier and thank their lucky stars they are paying UK costs to do it, pathetic company trying to guilt trip women to appeal to their nature .

Spirallingdownwards · 17/05/2024 17:39

Tell them they can arrange a courier to collect it or they can collect it from (address). They want it. They sort it.