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Original poster

Post Office - not allowed to post things!

55 replies

RandomMess · 31/12/2020 13:19

DH has been told in Tier 4 they are for "essential services" only but they would to it today as a one off!!

So is returning items ordered before Christmas and only just received within the 14 days allowed not "essential"??

OP posts:
Beebumble2 · 31/12/2020 13:21

That’s odd! I’ve just posted a parcel to a family member.
It’s sounds like a ‘jobsworth’.

plg21 · 31/12/2020 13:32

I posted two items at our local post office this morning and nothing was said. We've also been tier 4 for a couple of weeks. Surely posting falls into the essential category?

peppermintteadrinker · 31/12/2020 13:35

Slightly off topic, but I also hate that they ask what is in parcels. I know they have to but they're so loud and officious in our PO. I've started to feel tempted to reply with " sex toys" when they ask. Yes I know I'm being unreasonable but it irritates me Grin

Theunamedcat · 31/12/2020 13:37

@peppermintteadrinker

Slightly off topic, but I also hate that they ask what is in parcels. I know they have to but they're so loud and officious in our PO. I've started to feel tempted to reply with " sex toys" when they ask. Yes I know I'm being unreasonable but it irritates me Grin
Be careful they will refuse if they think it is battery operated Grin
peppermintteadrinker · 31/12/2020 13:39

Ffs... This is what I mean! AngryGrinWink

AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 13:40

@peppermintteadrinker

Slightly off topic, but I also hate that they ask what is in parcels. I know they have to but they're so loud and officious in our PO. I've started to feel tempted to reply with " sex toys" when they ask. Yes I know I'm being unreasonable but it irritates me Grin
Do they have to?

If you used a self service machine you just check the box saying nothing toxic or explosive etc?

peppermintteadrinker · 31/12/2020 13:45

Hmmm good point. Will definitely make something up now x Wink

peppermintteadrinker · 31/12/2020 13:45

Sorry... didn't mean to add a x.... just been texting!

Dongdingdong · 31/12/2020 13:46

I’m in a tier 4 area and have posted a couple of parcels this morning - no problems.

unfortunateevents · 31/12/2020 13:56

Was this a Royal Mail "proper" Post Office or a counter at the back of a convenience store - not that it should make a difference but it sounds as if someone has misinterpreted some guidance somewhere along the line? Anyway, what counts as essential - does the person in the post office decide, based on the contents of your parcel or letter?!

Saltisford · 31/12/2020 13:57

Omg I had a run in at the post office yesterday. I checked online to see if international postage is now allowed again - Royal Mail website had an update on Tuesday to say that it’s fine and items can now be posted abroad again. Well, the chap at the post office would not accept my parcel (after me waiting in a queue for twenty mins) as he had not had confirmation from ‘The Post Office’ and that ‘Royal Mail has nothing to do with The Post Office’???!!!! I checked the website again when I got home and the Royal Mail update links through from the Post Office website!!!! Any ideas on that one?!

Janedownourlane · 31/12/2020 14:01

I once posted a microwave saucepan to student dc in Europe-not sure why they were unavailable there, but hey ho-post office worker clearly didnt believe me and asked why, whats it for etc...spanish inquisition and embarrassing! I never send anything dodgy but its so tempting to say 'baby clothes' now! Learned my lesson.

herecomesthsun · 31/12/2020 14:03

@peppermintteadrinker

Slightly off topic, but I also hate that they ask what is in parcels. I know they have to but they're so loud and officious in our PO. I've started to feel tempted to reply with " sex toys" when they ask. Yes I know I'm being unreasonable but it irritates me Grin
lol
vanillandhoney · 31/12/2020 14:06

Our post office is open as normal with no restrictions.

I suspect that it's all down to the owner of the post office as opposed to an official restriction.

Butterfly44 · 31/12/2020 14:06

Post office is an essential service and open in all tiers

TheBottleIsFullofHappiness · 31/12/2020 14:12

Some of the post offices by me won't take large parcels even in none covid times, they literally will not post them for you.

Original poster
RandomMess · 31/12/2020 14:15

DH went back with another parcel. It's a proper post office.

"They aren't allowed to refuse but they will tell you every time that posting items isn't "essential""

ShockHmmConfused

OP posts:
thelittlefox · 31/12/2020 14:34

If your DH has been into your local PO twice today, with two separate parcels, I can kind of understand why the staff there are reminding him he should only be making essential trips.

AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 14:40

@thelittlefox

If your DH has been into your local PO twice today, with two separate parcels, I can kind of understand why the staff there are reminding him he should only be making essential trips.
Oh god, there's always one

Post Office business is essential. We do have a crazy person at ours who is shouting at everyone not to buy cards, though you can buy those in other shops nearby.

AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 14:41

@RandomMess

DH went back with another parcel. It's a proper post office.

"They aren't allowed to refuse but they will tell you every time that posting items isn't "essential""

ShockHmmConfused

I think, like a lot of this situation, it depends if you get a wanker or not.
NastyBlouse · 31/12/2020 14:43

"They aren't allowed to refuse but they will tell you every time that posting items isn't "essential""

It's not PO policy then, you've just got one jobsworth over-filling their own personal teaspoon of power.

MushMonster · 31/12/2020 14:44

They better not sell anything non-essential in that post office! Like chocolates or crafts supplies!
The world has gone crazy!

AcornAutumn · 31/12/2020 14:46

It must be a nightmare for people who post things for work if they are being asked every time.

Fortherosesjoni70 · 31/12/2020 14:47

@peppermintteadrinker

Slightly off topic, but I also hate that they ask what is in parcels. I know they have to but they're so loud and officious in our PO. I've started to feel tempted to reply with " sex toys" when they ask. Yes I know I'm being unreasonable but it irritates me Grin
ha ha ha ha... I know! With a long queue eves dropping behind you! I hate it. Its none of their business. You should be able to write it down instead of announcing it.
Original poster
RandomMess · 31/12/2020 14:48

@thelittlefox he only went back the 2nd time because they were like "we will do it today only as it's our first day of Tier 4"

Not sure many people can afford to not return £200 of clothing that arrived 2 weeks late and doesn't fit!

Other items were things sold on eBay and I suspect the buyers wanted them.

OP posts:
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