To get irritated by the post office lady demanding to know what's in my parcel?

[ArgyMargy]

"For the purposes of the dangerous goods act can you tell me what's in it?"

Well why? If it was anthrax or a gun do you really think I would tell you? I've started to lie, but today I said "a toy" and she said "with batteries?" WTF? Am I not allowed to send batteries through the post? It's only going to London, not Afghanistan! Is there anyone who knows the law and can explain this to me?? Sorry for the rant.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

There are certain types of batteries you're not allowed to send through the post. I ordered a new laptop battery and it never came as the Post Office impounded it!

[ISeeYouShiverWithAntici]

She's only doing what she is required to do. She's not trying to irritate you. She has to note certain things down. and some things cannot be sent through normal post.

But yes, considering they only have the word of the person sending the parcel, it is a bit pointless you could claim anything was in there.

But no doubt parcels are scanned and all that, so if they don't contain what it is claimed they contain, maybe that is picked up.

(I am assuming)

[Blowninonabreeze]

Lithium batteries have been shown to occasionally cause fires on flights.

Royal Mail are increasingly using planes for internal mail transport.

Not something I can get worked up about I'm afraid, although you're definitely not alone. I'm frequently surprised by shirty attitude from other customers when I'm waiting in the PO queue.

[ArgyMargy]

Don't get me wrong - I know she is only following orders, and I am very polite when I reply. It just seems daft and nosy. They could just have a list like they do at the airport - here are things that you can't post. If it 's just lithium batteries and anthrax, that shouldn't be too hard.

[squoosh]

Tell her it's a jumbo sized dildo.

[winterhat]

YANBU. Why don't they just have a list up in the post office? It's a waste of time having to ask everyone individually.

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

I was asked last time and said ' a coat'

Then she asked me how much it was worth

Then she tried to make me pay £12 something to send it insured, instead of the £6 something first class

They did that to my dad before Christmas. He still feels like he's been 'had'!

[Blowninonabreeze]

There is a leaflet, the rules have fairly recently changed.

here

[Only1scoop]

They have to ask now....they did me a favour the other day....I didn't realise you could no longer send perfume ex UK. Apparently it would have just been confiscated as dangerous goods.... There's a poster up about it

[Hedgehog1977]

This happened to me a while ago - it was a fertility monitor. I was mortified!

[LaurieFairyCake]

You can send it with batteries but you do have to tell them.

Rules changed recently, I sent a calendar to someone last week and he asked what was in it.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

You would be far more annoyed if they hadn't asked and you had sent an expensive item that was on the list, so they took it and sent it for auction...

[TamerB]

It is better than having it opened in a sorting office.

[thegreylady]

I was a bit sad that I was not allowed to send perfume to dgd in Turkey. I could send a gun without ammunition but not a little bottle of perfume. Poor dgd had to go without the Christmas present she had lift behind :(

[thegreylady]

Left

[PeterParkerSays]

They do have lists at the post office. Our post office has a supply of leaflets at the counter, listing restricted items - alcohol, batteries, aerosols, perfume etc.

[FoxesRevenge]

After seeing what some numpties try to send through the post then they are right to ask what you are sending. I know it seems intrusive but it is worth it to ensure your parcel gets there and isn't 'investigated' at the sorting office.

[bodygoingsouth]

are you a terrorist and is this your car madam

er no and yes. daft really.

[specialsubject]

I also got caught with the battery thing on an ebay transaction - it had to go via courier.

rule came in last year, hence checking.

[bodygoingsouth]

^^ although not asked at the post office

[gobbynorthernbird]

I don't think it's to do with terrorism at all. It's about 'normal' people inadvertently posting dangerous things. If the PO could rely on the list of permitted items being read by everyone, they wouldn't have to ask.

[GeeinItLaldy]

If she doesn't ask and your parcel gets picked up through the screening process, it will be opened and the offending articles destroyed thereby wasting the money spent on purchasing the goods and on postage so its really in your interests to be asked.

[Sadoldbag]

I always say a dildo that tends to shut them up lol

[Wuxiapian]

The last lot of eBay bits I sold prompted questions the 5 or 6 times I went. You'd think after asking the 1st time they'd know I was selling clothes and wouldn't keep asking. It really got on my nerves. They also tried to sell me life insurance every time, too.

I changed PO and not one question.

[ScrambledeggLDCcakeBOAK]

My sister works in a post office. She has been told she HAS to ask this or she can not take the parcel. (New rules)

She was telling me how mortified she is to ask as if it was her she wouldn't want to be asked, as she puts it just to post a bloody package :-)