Royal Mail and suspension units - A Warning

[EarlofBarnet]

Some good tweets on this yesterday of things that RM now can't send under these rules. Bubble wrap, inner tubes etc. I can loosely understand where they're coming from on the shocks to be honest, although less so if they are depressurised. This part that stands out as wrong to me is that they don't dispose of them but sell them! Be interesting to see if Wellers (the company that sell the parts) send them via RM.

 

[Pyro Tim]

I'm not sure if air shocks would be OK if you depressurised them.

Not according to the OP on the Singletrack thread, his shock was completely empty, but they still 'destroyed' it as a pressurised container.

Npt read the other thread, but I'm guessing because he didn't have a declaration stating it was depressurised. If he did, then they wouldn't be able to do what they've done.

 

[NeilM]

Nobody said a word to the bloke, he turned up at his local Post Office, box in hand, and sent it in the normal way.

It was only when it did not arrive that all this malarky with new rules came out.

I don't have a problem with any carrier having T&C's that restrict what they will take, the nasty bit was the fact that the first he knew about it was when £500 of shocker was confiscated. When you think of how hard some retro suspension parts are to get, or how much the modern replacements cost, the thought of them disappearing with no prospect of compensation is pretty scary.

 

[Pyro Tim]

It's not a new rule. It's been there years, just he got caught this time. I used to hold the qualifications, but they lapsed about 5 years ago. It's your job to obey the rules of carriage, they are available

 

[NeilM]

It's your job to obey the rules of carriage, they are available

I disagree in part; I would expect any carrier to point the rules and restrictions that apply to their service prior to you handing over the package.

How many people have ever read Royal Mails full terms and conditions? Or even realise there are T&C's that have to be complied with.

If an item does not comply, then that should be pointed out at the point of dispatch or at the very least there should be notices that alert the sender to the restrictions.

Over the last five years I have sent hundreds of parcels and packages, from front mechs to whole bikes, not once has anyone showed me a list of restricted items, although they are mentioned on certain web sites.

 

[Pyro Tim]

whenever I post anything, they ask is there anything in there that is considered dangerous, or is not allowed to be posted. Best to ask what they are if you don't know. It's the same with luggage on planes. IATA rules are similar to postal rules.

 

[andyz]

The best course of action would be to not use Royal Mail, or is that too obvious! Plenty of couriers take suspension parts without destroying them, usually cheaper than Royal Mail.

 

[Pyro Tim]

They will all have the same rule. It is an international one. It's how it's enforced, or checked.

 

[reanimation]

I'm running out of reasons to use Royal Fail And Parcel Farce. Delivery times on letters and packages have been amazing recently granted but their millimetre sensitive stiff upper lip rules, and rubbish customer services is a big turn off.
I take it Hermes are ok? I've sent car parts happily through them before. Granted the local shop men are not so chirpy or chatty either but at a cut in price and good delivery worked for me.

 

[Woz]

whenever I post anything, they ask is there anything in there that is considered dangerous, or is not allowed to be posted. Best to ask what they are if you don't know. It's the same with luggage on planes. IATA rules are similar to postal rules.

You are right that the regulations for carriage are written down and available; they also change too and differ between domestic, international and mode of transport. Your average Joe and everyone in the chain is not fully conversant with them in every
detail and share the same perception of what actually is dangerous, prohibited, restricted etc. as the authorities.

A bit like if you go to the airport someone will still try to board with a 500ml bottle of fluid in their bag and insist it's only water because the label clearly says so.

I'm simply guessing that RM have enjoyed a very long "grace" period of not being fined for prohibited / restricted goods movements and now need to adopt more suitable controls and declarations.