Royal Mail = Thieving b'stards.

[ian field]

This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail, but I would have thought that as in
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.

Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.

Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious charges
after that point is a breach of contract?

[Brian Gaff]

Well one would think so, but it seems that the revenue and customs has
allowed PO to be their agents and to charge the end user for that. Daft
innit, but I know a number of people still disputing their charges and not
getting anywhere.

Brian
--
Brian Gaff - ***@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!

Post by ian field
This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail, but I would have thought that as in
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.
Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.
Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious
charges after that point is a breach of contract?

[ian field]

Post by Brian Gaff
Well one would think so, but it seems that the revenue and customs has
allowed PO to be their agents and to charge the end user for that. Daft
innit, but I know a number of people still disputing their charges and not
getting anywhere.

Class action?

[Peter Parry]

On Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:47:59 -0000, "ian field"

Post by ian field
This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail,

These are not delivery fees but the revenue (VAT and import duty if
any) collection fee.

Post by ian field
but I would have thought that as in

Post by ian field
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.

You have no contract with RM as the carriage of mail by them is
covered by statute. In any event this fee is extra contractual.

Post by ian field
Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.

Consider yourself fortunate you did not have your goods carried by
some of the major international carriers, their fees can be higher.

Post by ian field
Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious charges
after that point is a breach of contract?

No. They have not altered the fee for delivering the package at all.
What has been added is a fee for carrying out a statutory duty on
behalf of HMRC. Complain to them if you don't like it.

[Emil Tiades]

On Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:47:59 -0000, "ian field"

Post by ian field
This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail, but I would have thought that as in
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.
Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.
Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious charges
after that point is a breach of contract?

Next time, ask the sender to declare it as sample, no commercial
value.
Fraudulent?
Perhaps.
You save £11.32 anyhow.

[ian field]

Post by Peter Parry
On Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:47:59 -0000, "ian field"

Post by ian field
This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail, but I would have thought that as in
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.
Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.
Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious charges
after that point is a breach of contract?

Next time, ask the sender to declare it as sample, no commercial
value.
Fraudulent?
Perhaps.
You save £11.32 anyhow.

There's a notice on the customs declaration sticker that its a criminal
offence to make a fraudulent declaration.

Its pretty unlikely that a reputable company that trades worldwide, or for
that matter the individual employee who has to sign the declaration would
agree to do that.

[Emil Tiades]

On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:43:02 -0000, "ian field"

Post by ian field
There's a notice on the customs declaration sticker that its a criminal
offence to make a fraudulent declaration.
Its pretty unlikely that a reputable company that trades worldwide, or for
that matter the individual employee who has to sign the declaration would
agree to do that.

Happens all the time.
Either you pay the obscene charges or you convince the sender, or you
do without.
You did ask.

[Ray Shafranski]

Post by ian field
This probably depends on how delivery fees are transferred between the
Australian Post office and Royal mail, but I would have thought that as in
the case of any other sale, the changing hands of money marks the point at
which a contract is entered into.
Recently I ordered a DIY kit from a company in Australia, total value =
£24.00 including P&P. Today it arrived with an excess to pay, a very
reasonable £3.32 excise charge for VAT and a whopping £8.00 "Royal Mail
International handling charge", bringing the total excess to £11.32.
Surely if the RM advertise and agree a fee to deliver a package, then once
they've taken the payment they are in a contract and adding spurious
charges after that point is a breach of contract?

You are luck the stuff arrived at all, quite often valuable items sent via
Royal Mail end up being stolen by a Royal Mail operative.