Parcel attacked by la Poste

[chessie]

I've just received an e-Bay parcel - item of 'vintage' clothing not worth much.

The seller had, as requested, written the words 'Used item of clothing value less than 12E' in large writing on a separate stick-on label on the parcel.   This generally avoids any problems.

But not today - and I'm absolutely fuming.    The parcel, with a proper, clearly read label with correct address, and with a label, very clearly marked, giving name and address of sender, plus second large label with the words 'Used item etc...' arrived today - with a huge slash right across the large grey plastic envelope.

What has really infuriated me though, and has me stomping around, is the fact that the slash was so large it was amazing that the item in the parcel had not been slashed and damaged as well.  The cut right across the parcel was so large that the parcel has had to re-wrapped by la Poste using several strips of wide sticky tape;  and yes it does have the words 'la Poste' on the tape so it's not the Customs people.

What should I do if , should this happen again and an item really is damaged by la Poste, then obviously I'd have a claim against them.    Can I complain at the nearest la Poste about this incident ?

Is there any point ?  Or is it a case of grin and bear it until something is damaged by their actions ?

Chessie

[Bugsy]

You are not the first Chessie, see my old post HERE

[:@][:@]

.

[Patf]

Daughter once sent me a packet of coffee/chocolate lozenges which they had opened - probably to check they weren't pills of some kind. They did rattle a lot.

I should have weighed them to see if there were any missing.

[cooperlola]

My o/h has just had a similar problem.  Sadly the items in the package were very small and none remained by the time it got here.  As it came from New Zealand, the sender is making a claim from his end and replaced said goods foc. Somebody working to rule and inspecting packages they otherwise might not?

[chessie]

Thanks for that link Bugsy...

Isn't it annoying how 'some' people just won't believe you when you specifically say that it is la Poste that's opened and resealed a parcel.     It's not the first time it's happened here - they also did the same with a large boxed parcel and there was yellow la Poste sticky tape all round the box - so it is definitely la Poste opening it and not Customs.

So exactly why is la Poste opening parcels and not Customs ?

I really don't think it right that it's la Poste doing this;  as someone else has said if it's Customs there's no come back - but if it's la Poste - what the b---y h---l   do they think they are up to ?

Do they really have the right to do this ?

Who should I complain to about this because I am really cross this time ?

And shall I ask for a claim form - do they have them ? !!!!

Chessie

[andyh4]

For goodness sake.  Does no one in France pay any attention to international news?????

 

Last week Yemenii terrorists posted explosives in international packages.  The explosives were packed into toner ink cartridges and the rest of the parcels were packed out with clothes and books to make them look innocent.

 

This week Greek anarchists have mailed explosive devises to a number of embassies in Athens (the one to the Swiss embassy went off) as well as to European political leaders including Angel Merkel and Nicholas Sarkosy.

 

And you wonder why parcels might be inspected by La Poste!!!

 

Words fail me.

[zarathustra]

Do La Poste also check confidential bank statements? Had one last week in a clear plastic wrapper marked La Poste, to stop the contents escaping,and it was confidential banking information from the UK. Somebody had clearly taken a knife, and opened the envelope completely by cutting across the top of the envelope (not opened by the usual seal) - it certainly wouldn't have left the bank in that state.

[Bugsy]

[quote user="andyh4"]

For goodness sake.  Does no one in France pay any attention to international news?????

Last week Yemenii terrorists posted explosives in international packages.  The explosives were packed into toner ink cartridges and the rest of the parcels were packed out with clothes and books to make them look innocent.

This week Greek anarchists have mailed explosive devises to a number of embassies in Athens (the one to the Swiss embassy went off) as well as to European political leaders including Angel Merkel and Nicholas Sarkosy.

And you wonder why parcels might be inspected by La Poste!!!

Words fail me.

[/quote]

If you really believe that our parcels are being ripped open to check for explosives Andy you really do need to get out more. [Www][:D]

I don't think Mr & Mrs Bugsy in Vienne fall into the same category as Embassies, Angela Merkal and Nicholas Sarkosy.

We've stopped sending money with birthday cards because they are nearly always opened and the note removed, that's not anti-terrorism, its simple theft.

.

[WJT]

I too have had many problems with post in France. I have had so many things including bank papers sent to the bank for a credit card go missing. I once received a Christmas card in July from friends in the Loire!

I now will only use it when necessary, unfortunately there is no other choice in many cases. I am at the moment waiting for something that should have arrived last week.

I don't know how the French have put up with this. If there was some sort of demonstration against the service of La Poste, I would certainly join in! [:(]

[Quillan]

People have sent us deposits as cash through the post. I did get summoned to the post office once by the manager who had two other people with him then showed me the open envelope. He was worried that somebody had stolen some of the money but I checked and it was all there. Some of the latest bombs were sent to individuals and Jewish synagogues in the US so it does not surprise me that things get opened and checked.

[Chancer]

[quote user="Bugsy"][quote user="andyh4"][/quote]

If you really believe that our parcels are being ripped open to check for explosives Andy you really do need to get out more. [Www][:D]

[/quote]

Given the current state of alert and what has happened in the last week its not an unreasonable supposition, you are after all a foreign immigrant, I would guess that you recieve mail and parcels from other countries especially that well known breeding ground for terrorists [;-)]

It need not be explosives, terrorist cells have been broken from the discovery of what is written on sheets of paper.

The courrier once delivered a small package to me and commented on how suspicious it looked, was it a bomb? I knew it was a pai of specs that I had oredered from an American web site, I hadnt considered that they would be made and sent from Pakistan, the package was an old fashioned jure bag, hand stitched and sealed with wax, my name and address were written on in script with a fountan pen together with the return address in Islamabad.

[woolybanana]

They search for drugs, illegal medicines (eg Viagra),  counterfeit anything, small high value items which might attract duty, besides anything else you can imagine that might be dangerous. Of course this goes as far as they want it to, but it also provides employment, and involves both la Poste and les Douanes. Bank statements might be opened to search for hot money.

Loss of cash is plain theft and could happen anywhere along the line, though I am not sure if it is not illegal in France.

Remember that France is very highly policed, much more so than most Brits realise, a system which goes back to the beginnings of time and reflects the control freak paranoia of the State. If certain sins are allowed to go unpunished it is because they really are not that important and will be dealt with as and when.

UK began going that way under Blair. Not sure if it has changed!

[Chancer]

[quote user="WJT"]

I too have had many problems with post in France. I have had so many things including bank papers sent to the bank for a credit card go missing. I once received a Christmas card in July from friends in the Loire!

I now will only use it when necessary, unfortunately there is no other choice in many cases. I am at the moment waiting for something that should have arrived last week.

I don't know how the French have put up with this. If there was some sort of demonstration against the service of La Poste, I would certainly join in! [:(]

[/quote]

You dont need to join in to protest do it now!

Take a few pallets to La Poste in your village, set them down outside the door and set fire to them, I am sure everyone will understand staff and customers alike.

For real authenticity you also need a small portable barbecue and some merguez [;-)]

Whatever you do dont forget the golden rule, you must abandon your blocage between the hours of 12 and 2.30, to remain protesting during this sacrosanct period would just confuse the hell out of everyone and you run the risk of being taken seriously [:P]

[cooperlola]

I have had parcels which were opened by customs for checking, plus one which was damaged - by accident - in transit over here.  On those occasions they arrived in a plastic cover with an explanatory note included, plus - in the case of the damaged parcel - a note as to how to make a claim if I wished to.  Thus I reallycan't imagine that the damage was caused by an authorised opening of the package to check for nasties as I'm pretty confident there would have been some official notice attached.

[woolybanana]

Sorting machines tear stuff too, I think, especially if not a standard size and shape.

[Judith]

I cannot believe that anyone sends cash in the post.  How stupid can you get?

[andyh4]

[quote user="Bugsy"]
If you really believe that our parcels are being ripped open to check for explosives Andy you really do need to get out more. [Www][:D]

I don't think Mr & Mrs Bugsy in Vienne fall into the same category as Embassies, Angela Merkal and Nicholas Sarkosy.

[/quote]

 

.

 

as Chancer has posted.  You are foreigners.  You are receiving international packages.  The Yemenii packs I understand had clothes as the customs declaration.  And what did Chessies package have on it?  Clothes.

You may know that you're a harmless OAP couple.  Or a retired American enjoying the last quarter of your life in Europe.  It doesn't necessarily mean that the authorities know that and with the currrent security level anything that arouses suspicion will be examined.

"Andy you really do need to get out more"

Maybe I have already been out more than you give me credit for.[;-)]

[WJT]

[quote user="Chancer"][quote user="WJT"]

I too have had many problems with post in France. I have had so many things including bank papers sent to the bank for a credit card go missing. I once received a Christmas card in July from friends in the Loire!

I now will only use it when necessary, unfortunately there is no other choice in many cases. I am at the moment waiting for something that should have arrived last week.

I don't know how the French have put up with this. If there was some sort of demonstration against the service of La Poste, I would certainly join in! [:(]

[/quote]

You dont need to join in to protest do it now!

Take a few pallets to La Poste in your village, set them down outside the door and set fire to them, I am sure everyone will understand staff and customers alike.

For real authenticity you also need a small portable barbecue and some merguez [;-)]

Whatever you do dont forget the golden rule, you must abandon your blocage between the hours of 12 and 2.30, to remain protesting during this sacrosanct period would just confuse the hell out of everyone and you run the risk of being taken seriously [:P]

[/quote]

 

Chancer, very good tips will certainly take them on board.

Don't know where you are located but thinking about it, you and your donkey wouldn't go amiss, it would certainly bring attention to the cause. [:)]

[Quillan]

You would be surprised, we have had people send full payment in cash (only once or twice) and not registered either. If I know what it is I take a photo before I open it and have Mrs 'Q' with me just in case.

[WJT]

Does anyone know how to make a claim please? The package that was meant to be here last week arrived today but has been ruined. It is clothing and they slashed it open and slashed the contents and just taped it back up. [:(]

[chessie]

Blimey - calm down.....don't shout.

Look, I understand the parcel bomb bit....but that's embassies and important people and the parcels have come - in the main - from outside the EU.

I'm just an individual, living in the back of beyond in rural France, and the parcel had been sent from the UK.   It was one of three parcels - two of which had not been touched....

I can't see why a parcel, having been through the British postal system, having been transported by plane or train or lorry into France - would then be subject to any further scrutiny when it was obvious that the parcel had come from an individual and was being sent to an individual - NOT a VIP, not an MEP, not an ambassador, not a CEO, not a bank, or an embassy - but from one private address to another.

And please don't be rude and shout - it's not pleasant, and it's not necessary - and it's really rather rude.

Chessie

[WJT]

I just wanted to add that mine that was slashed was posted in and to me here in France.

[andyh4]

I apologise if you found my post rude.  My comments were not just aimed at you but the others that had posted about their different problems with La Poste

 

"Look, I understand the parcel bomb bit....but that's embassies and important people and the parcels have come - in the main - from outside the EU."

Sorry but this clearly shows that you are totally out of touch and do not understand.

1.  the ambassies and important people had their bombs posted from Greece and this country is in the EU - there are many who may wish otherwise but that remains the case.

2. The total of bombs/explosive devises from this source is getting by my count up to around 10.

3. Only 2 devises have been identified and publicised as coming from Yemen.  These were posted to either ficticious addresses around the Chicargo area or were addressed to synagogues there - depending which press release you believe.  There is no doubt that there is information being withheld here - for good reasons.

4.  It has been well publicised that the Yemen bombs have created a series of widespread checks on international packages.

[Bugsy]

[quote user="andyh4"]

I apologise if you found my post rude.  My comments were not just aimed at you but the others that had posted about their different problems with La Poste

"Look, I understand the parcel bomb bit....but that's embassies and important people and the parcels have come - in the main - from outside the EU."

Sorry but this clearly shows that you are totally out of touch and do not understand.

[/quote]

I guess they were aimed at me then but you are so wrong.

If you really believe all that drivel you are a politicians dream and simply perpetuating the myth that they would want us all to believe.

.

[chessie]

Andy - OK then according to you I'm living on a different planet - fine.....

But please explain to me - if a parcel has been posted in the UK and has arrived in France it has already been through the UK Post Office screening, it's been in an airplane or train from the UK to France, it's presumably had it's Customs check - WHY - once it's IN the French system and being sent to an individual living in the back of beyond should la Poste suddently decide it's of interest.

Working on your feelings of insecurity would seem to suggest that ALL parcels in the French postal system should be slashed open so that the contents can be looked at, checked, sniffed, handled  before la Post put on their sticky tape....

Letters and parcels to 'potential targets' are not going to include private individuals living out in bucolic France.   You seem to see reasons for it;  please explain why a parcel, which has already gone through two different postal systems and is addressed to a private individual, living in a private home, would be likely to be on the receiving end of something nasty......just defies logic, reason, and common sense.

We do appear to have a situation where la Poste - or employees or - are starting to take an 'unauthorised' interest in private parcels sent from one individual to another - with no security risks implied either by the names, addressed, handwriting or postal area.

I'd just like to know whether we can complain about this damage to our property or ask for an explanation as to why la Poste think all French residents are likely to be the target of malicious parcels.

Chessie