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Parcel Force holding onto valuable item

7 replies

Todaytodaytodaytoday · 22/01/2025 10:11

I'm at my wit's end with this. I ordered a valuable piece of jewellry from the US (via ETSY) on the 5th December. The sender used USPS (US Postal Service) as the carrier and this was then taken over by Parcel Force once it arrive in the UK. It arrive in the UK on December 24th. I still haven't received it. When I look up the tracking number it says that it is being assessed for import duties. I called their customer service after it had been there about a week and I had heard nothing and they said that it was in a High Value Store location and that I needed to email them to ask them to release it. I did this, but got no response. I then got a form in the post asking me for details of the item and an invoice of purchase, which I completed and emailed to them. This was two weeks ago and I have had no response. I have emailed them several times, but they never reply. I asked to speak directly to the High Value Store location, but was told I could only contact them by email. The thing that confuses me is that I ordered exactly the same item from the same seller in November and recieved it within 5 days. That was with UPS. There was a duty charge, which I paid - it was all very straight forward. This makes me think there is something strange going on. As they are not responding to my emails and not releasing the item, what rights do I have as a consumer? The ETSY seller is aware of the situation and sympathetic, but doesn't seem to be able to help. I can't see any reason why this item should be held back. It is not anything illegal or unusual or difficult to categorise. I have given them the exact weight in grams, the material and proof of what I paid for it. The item is worth over £2,000 so as you can imagine this is causing me a lot of anguish. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 22/01/2025 10:21

Sounds possibly like it’s waiting for HMRC to communicate the duty cost. I imagine after Christmas, and with so much self assessment etc now being imperative, they’re far busier than they were during November. However that doesn’t explain why Parcelforce are t communicating. The usual advice in cases like this is take it to Twitter/whatever SM they use and/or contact the CEO.

Todaytodaytodaytoday · 22/01/2025 10:35

Thanks, I'll try that. It's the lack of communication that's making me anxious.

OP posts:
BubblePopPop · 22/01/2025 13:19

Yes, email the ceo Mr Aaron Barnes and I’m sure you’ll receive a swift response. [email protected]

Todaytodaytodaytoday · 22/01/2025 14:01

Thanks I'll try that! I'll let you know how I get on.

OP posts:
Todaytodaytodaytoday · 24/01/2025 15:15

BubblePopPop · 22/01/2025 13:19

Yes, email the ceo Mr Aaron Barnes and I’m sure you’ll receive a swift response. [email protected]

I've had a response!! Literally a few hours after I wrote the email so thank you for recommending I do that. Apparently there was a discrepency on the amount put on for the airway bill and the amount on the sales receipt. Why they didn't just tell me that I don't know. I have agreed to let them bill me at the higher amount otherwise I have to provide a reason why they are different, but I don't know why they were different as I wasn't the one who posted it! Hopefully I'll get it soon...

OP posts:
ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 24/01/2025 15:17

Maybe the exchange rate was different and the seller calculated it in pounds at the other rate when it was posted?

Bit pathetic that it has to be escalated and only one person in the whole company seems able to communicate with you.

BubblePopPop · 27/01/2025 22:09

Glad you got a proper response, op, hopefully you have your item soon 😊

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