My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄

[ShakeMaTail]

The box says it is, but it actually contains 7 LFTs

FFS. Took 4 days to arrive as well with bank holidays etc. Now I'll have to order another and I'll probs be out of isolation by the time I get a result anyway!

(Live rurally, can't drive, nearest test centre is not walking distance!)

That sounds unusual. and to be honest not possible, thr manufacturers would need to package in thr wrong box. Can you post an image? If they are boxing lft in PCR boxes then there’s a signficant problem.

If you ordered a PCR you would have for a confirmation email; and if you ordered LFTs by mistake, you would have got an email
about those.

Which did you get?

Anyway, try booking again or is there a walk in test centre near you?

Well it's not boxed the same as the 2 different types of LFT I've got! Its in a box that says "Covid

Oh that is really infuriating!

What does your confirmation email say? Did you order a PCR test or LFT tests? You can order both online.

You know they don't send you a PCR test right?

You have to send the swab back (so it will look similar to a LFT) and the PCR is run in a lab.

Sorry posted too soon!

The box says "covid 19 self test kit" and that's all. Both my boxes of different make LFTs (one from school and one handed to me outside Morrisons) say "covid 19 self test kit - rapid antigen test" on and list the contents and number of tests - this box doesn't list any contents or number of tests, and doesn't say "rapid antigen test" anywhere. I haven't had a PCR kit by post before though so maybe it's just the box for a different type of LFT that I haven't seen before?

Are you sure you didn't order the wrong ones?
Can you post a picture.

@SunshineOnKeith

You know they don't send you a PCR test right?

You have to send the swab back (so it will look similar to a LFT) and the PCR is run in a lab.

Yes I'm not an idiot. They send the swab. But this box contains 7 x LFTs not 1 x swab kit.

@ShakeMaTail

Sorry posted too soon!

The box says "covid 19 self test kit" and that's all. Both my boxes of different make LFTs (one from school and one handed to me outside Morrisons) say "covid 19 self test kit - rapid antigen test" on and list the contents and number of tests - this box doesn't list any contents or number of tests, and doesn't say "rapid antigen test" anywhere. I haven't had a PCR kit by post before though so maybe it's just the box for a different type of LFT that I haven't seen before?

Yes you don't self test for a pcr. You take the swab in a similar way then post it back for a lab test

Maybe post a photo of what you've received?

Yes I'm not an idiot.

Difficult to tell from the info you gave.
You clearly don't want any advice though.
Good luck

That’s odd, and not good. Can you post a picture?

@Fallagain

What does your confirmation email say? Did you order a PCR test or LFT tests? You can order both online.

I ordered a PCR. I do know the difference and I absolutely 100% ordered a PCR. My email says so too. I can't work out how to attach a photo but I assure you I ordered the right thing! I've never even ordered postal LFTs, I've no need to as we get given them by school (and outside Morrisons 🤣) I

If you are on the app there is a paperclip below the message box. Do the instructions ask you to post it back?

Op that’s not a PCR box it’s a lateral flow box. So the packaging is correct.

Can you post an image of your email confirmation?

I know you don't do the PCR test yourself, what with not having a testing lab in the average kitchen, but they are referred to as PCR test kits even if sent by post, aren't they? Sorry for using language that confused you. I am sure most people understand that I wasn't expecting to actually do a polymerase chain reaction test in my own house and that I knew I would need to send off the swab to an actual lab. Which I can't do, because I haven't been sent a PCR test kit.

I have an email that says I ordered a home PCR. I received a purple plastic mailing bag today with a box inside saying "covid 19 self test kit" which contains 7 LFTs. That's not what I ordered! Maybe that's just how some LFTs are packaged, I don't know, but the other LFTs we have (from 2 different makes) clearly say they are rapid antigen tests.

How weird!

@Bluntness100

Op that’s not a PCR box it’s a lateral flow box. So the packaging is correct.

Can you post an image of your email confirmation?

Oh ok so they've just sent me the wrong thing, but in the right box for what it is then. Whoop 😅

I've ordered another one now anyway.

And no I don't have the app but I promise you I have proof in front of me of what I ordered, and it was a PCR test kit.

That is really weird! The purple bag sounds like what I get the PCR tests in and LFTs come in a box. It's like someone's picked up the wrong box and put it in the bag. Could you try ringing 119 and logging it with them?

I didn't realise they came from the same warehouse but now we know!

Yes it’s in the right box, can you post a pic of your email?

Yes my sister has just told me that her LFTs just arrive in the box with a postage label stuck on them, no purple envelope! So they must have just picked up the wrong thing.

@Bluntness100

Yes it’s in the right box, can you post a pic of your email?

This box doesn't say "rapid antigen test" though

I don't think all LFTs are in the same box anyway - mine aren't in a plain white box like that!