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Original poster

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

104 replies

ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 19:41

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

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!)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:08

For those doubting me!!!

My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄
My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄
OP posts:
Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:09

@shinynewapple21

I don't think all LFTs are in the same box anyway - mine aren't in a plain white box like that!
We have some Flowflex ones in dark blue boxes and some like the ones bluntness just posted. But they all say rapid antigen test on the box!
OP posts:
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/01/2022 20:10

How annoying!

BewareTheLibrarians · 04/01/2022 20:12

That is weird! The lateral flow tests always come in the “bare” box with no plastic bag around them, and the PCRs always in the purple bag. So like you, if I got the purple bag I’d expect the PCR test not lateral flows! It definitely sounds like you ordered the right thing and somethings gone wrong at the other end.

What a bugger. I guess it’s lucky you got something vaguely covid related didn’t end up with a stressed dispatchers lunchbox!

InTheLabyrinth · 04/01/2022 20:12

I bet you have, but you've opened to box to check the contents, haven't you?
Our PCRs came in very similar shaped boxes to the LFT sets - because they fit in letterboxes.

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:14

@InTheLabyrinth

I bet you have, but you've opened to box to check the contents, haven't you? Our PCRs came in very similar shaped boxes to the LFT sets - because they fit in letterboxes.
Yeah I've tipped out all the contents in disbelief! 7 of everything and a leaflet telling me how to do an LFT. Definitely not a PCR.
OP posts:
AnyFucker · 04/01/2022 20:19

Not sure why all the doubters Hmm

Looks like you won’t get your PCR result before you could potentially end your isolation on day 7 with negative LFTs. At least you have enough of those to go that route Smile

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:19

@AnyFucker

Not sure why all the doubters Hmm

Looks like you won’t get your PCR result before you could potentially end your isolation on day 7 with negative LFTs. At least you have enough of those to go that route Smile

Ikr, some people just assume the worst of every poster I think!

Yeah we now have more than enough LFTs for that. Praise be 😀

OP posts:
MatildaJayne · 04/01/2022 20:20

How annoying. My first LFT packs from school were boxed just like your photo, OP. They didn’t say antigen either.

RedHot22 · 04/01/2022 20:21

It’s obviously human error.

They’re extremely busy.
Try not to be too outraged.

JanglyBeads · 04/01/2022 20:23

Weird though because I would have thought they come via entirely different channels, different warehouses etc.

It's not Mavis and Betty on fold-up chairs in the village hall sending them out (although maybe they'd be better at it....)

amicissimma · 04/01/2022 20:24

Grasping at straws here, but do you think it's potentially both types of test, ie if you a) want to do a PCR you put the swab in the liquid, break it off at the mark and put a little stopper on the tube, then send it to the lab, and if you b) want to do a LFT you put the swab in the tube, then put drops of the liquid onto the test strip?

Is there anything in the box that suggests that could be the case, eg little stoppers, further instructions?

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:25

@MatildaJayne

How annoying. My first LFT packs from school were boxed just like your photo, OP. They didn’t say antigen either.
Yeah these must be old style LFTs, you have to add the liquid to the test tubey thing yourself before taking the swab.

I'm not "outraged" just pissed off at having to wait even longer for a proper result that work will be happy with.

Also does anyone know if the day 6/7 testing to end isolation still counts if you've only tested positive on an LFT? I can't see me having a PCR result by then and tbh it looks like it'll take so long I might test PCR negative anyway, which will be annoying.

OP posts:
Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:25

@amicissimma

Grasping at straws here, but do you think it's potentially both types of test, ie if you a) want to do a PCR you put the swab in the liquid, break it off at the mark and put a little stopper on the tube, then send it to the lab, and if you b) want to do a LFT you put the swab in the tube, then put drops of the liquid onto the test strip?

Is there anything in the box that suggests that could be the case, eg little stoppers, further instructions?

No it's absolutely definitely just a box of 7 LFTs.
OP posts:
Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:26

@JanglyBeads

Weird though because I would have thought they come via entirely different channels, different warehouses etc.

It's not Mavis and Betty on fold-up chairs in the village hall sending them out (although maybe they'd be better at it....)

I've been saying for a while that for the money test&trace has cost, they'd have been better off giving 1/10th of the money to AFED and letting the anarchists run the show Grin
OP posts:
CorrBlimeyGG · 04/01/2022 20:27

I've had some LFTs in a purple plastic bag today.

(They were actually for someone on the next street, but I opened it without reading the address. Dropped them off but don't know if they'd ordered LFTs or a PCR.)

Bluntness100 · 04/01/2022 20:30

Op, there are loads of boxes. It will be in the right box, they have massive production lines, the boxes for one will not be feeding the other.

However if you ordered a PCR and got lateral flow, then there is a systems error and you won’t be the only person affected. Millions Will be.

It’s not people are thinking the worst of you. It’s simply the simplest solution is you ordered the wrong thing this time.

My postal PCR test came but... Its not a PCR test 🙄
PaternityLeave · 04/01/2022 20:33

Is there another section to the plastic packaging it came in? I ordered some LFTs recently, normally I just get the box but these ones were in grey plastic with a PCR test hidden in another compartment of the plastic packaging. They were doing a study to compare the LFT and PCR results hence sending me a PCR test. Could be a similar thing?

AnyFucker · 04/01/2022 20:33

If it’s proof for work you need then just a lateral flow won’t do, sorry

I had to email across the PCR positive email and you also get an official isolation note detailing when you can come out

Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:38

@Bluntness100

Op, there are loads of boxes. It will be in the right box, they have massive production lines, the boxes for one will not be feeding the other.

However if you ordered a PCR and got lateral flow, then there is a systems error and you won’t be the only person affected. Millions Will be.

It’s not people are thinking the worst of you. It’s simply the simplest solution is you ordered the wrong thing this time.

If you look upthread you can see my email, with name and test number redacted, proving that I ordered a PCR. Unsure what more proof I could need that I've been sent the wrong thing Confused
OP posts:
Original poster
ShakeMaTail · 04/01/2022 20:39

@AnyFucker

If it’s proof for work you need then just a lateral flow won’t do, sorry

I had to email across the PCR positive email and you also get an official isolation note detailing when you can come out

Bollocks. Let's hope I'm still infectious enough for it to show up when the PCR finally arrives then!
OP posts:
ImNotDancing · 04/01/2022 20:40

Why are people being so rude Confused

How annoying for you OP!

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 20:40

Out of curiosity how does it work if you get a positive LFT but for whatever reason you just cannot get a PCR? So don't drive/no walk ins and no PCR tests available.
Does just registering the positive LFT and doing the necessary isolating cover all your responsibilities?

Sparklingbrook · 04/01/2022 20:41

I also don't understand why OP is being questioned. Mistakes happen!

NeverEndingFireworks · 04/01/2022 20:44

I posted a PCR off today - it arrived in a grey envelope, no box. In the envelope was the vial, swab, absorbent pad, bag for vial, seal for box and a box to be constructed to return the test. Totally different to the actual box of LFs I got last week.

My PCR also did not have to be registered as it is registered at the time of ordering to the person ordering it (WHY couldn't they have sorted that out months ago) It had a HUGE label on it reminding me.

@ShakeMaTail if you ring 119 now they will take the details, reg numbers etc, and sort it out for you - they will send out a new kit asap.

I had a kit without the seal for the box - so rang them and they said it wouldn't;t be accepted with any other tape sealing it, in case it had been tampered with, they sent me out a new kit.