Australian Post Office Handed My Parcels to Wrong Person

BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 11:34
Last edited 25/06/2018 - 14:40 by 1 other user

Hi all, I ordered 2 quilts online and yesterday I was not at home and had a note left on my doorstep as I missed the delivery.

I just went in this morning and found that it has been collected yesterday just before 5pm from my local post office. They showed me the signatures and they were obviously not mine.

The staff was looking at each other and knew they have done a stuff up now as they looked at my id and signatures.

I asked them that now what and they said they will investigate and look at the cameras.

Just in case, if they can't locate who they have given my 2 parcels to, who compensates me?

Please advise. Thanks all in advance.

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Comments

  • jjjaar on 23/06/2018 - 11:37
    +19

    I would suggest Australia Post as it is their fault for giving the parcel to the wrong person. Did you take any proof they had the incorrect signature?

    • D C on 23/06/2018 - 11:48
      +10

      Having been through all this crap multiple times, it's the sellers problem. "Contact sellers, case closed, come again."

      • Gustave on 23/06/2018 - 16:00
        +23

        The seller is technically Australia Post's customer.
        OP paid Company X for an item.
        Company X went to Australia Post and said, 'Here's some money, please deliver our item to OP.'
        If Australia Post (profanity) that up they should definitely pay compensation - but it's likely going to be to the sender.

        • D C on 23/06/2018 - 16:03
          +3

          The seller is technically Australia Post's customer.

          Correct.

          AusPost: "Not our problem, GTFO."

        • Scrooge McDuck on 25/06/2018 - 11:38
          +4

          The chain of responsibility looks like this:

          The thief stole the parcels from Australia Post.
          ↓
          Australia Post lost the parcels to the thief.
          ↓
          The seller gave the parcels to a delivery service which lost them.
          ↓
          PayPal paid the seller for the parcels which weren't delivered to the recipient.
          ↓
          OP paid PayPal for the parcels which weren't delivered to them.

          So while the thief is ultimately responsible, OP may need to demand restitution from PayPal, who then need to demand it from the seller and so on.

          I would demand a refund from PayPal and send them a report of what has happened along with all the evidence from Australia Post that the parcels weren't delivered to OP.

        • resisting the urge on 26/06/2018 - 19:48

          @Scrooge McDuck:
          All quite true, SCMcD, but…

          the OP capitalised almost all the words in the subject line. Maybe they are requiring something better?

      • Mythreesons on 24/06/2018 - 09:18
        +9

        I purchased my sons Christmas presents online and Australia post delivered them to my old address, (it took a few weeks to arrive), I had redirected my mail and contacted Australia post because it was taking so long to arrive, they assured me it would arrive at my new address. It went to my old address and the people there signed for it and wouldn't give it back. Australia post said the person I bought the stuff off can claim the money back for the items because I paid extra for insurance but I got nothing. I even contacted the police and nobody cared.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2018 - 13:27
          +7

          That really sucks :(

        • c0balt on 25/06/2018 - 11:02
          +45

          @Jalif:

          And of course you read the whole post, including the last sentence, right?

        • Cheaplikethebird on 26/06/2018 - 10:18
          +3

          Had the same thing happen to me. I paid for a redirection, they still delivered to the old address. I pushed really hard for compensation but after about a month of calls all I got was a letter apologising for their screw up, didn't even offer to refund the redirection fee.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 26/06/2018 - 12:00
          +2

          @Cheaplikethebird: that sux

        • abb on 26/06/2018 - 12:33
          +3

          Sure is lucky you moved out of the old house before it catastrophically burned down though hey!

        • Ryxxi on 27/06/2018 - 13:35

          just make sure to open a chargeback with bank. You might still be able to. I was able to charge back a 2yr old purchase with Westpac.

      • centrelink on 25/06/2018 - 10:49
        -3

        Yep just give a negative feedback to the seller because according to eBay it was the sellers responsibility. Happens to be all the time

    • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 11:54

      The signature is saved on my account on their pc.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 25/06/2018 - 10:59
        +2

        I'm curious as to how this occured, what the security failings were and how they can be mitigated.

        Did the theif steal the note from your doorstep?

        How do you suppose that the thief noticed the note on your doorstep? In what kind of dwelling do you reside?

        • c0balt on 25/06/2018 - 13:29
          +4

          Have a look into 'porch piracy'.

          It's not just the packages being taken, at times it's the notes to go pick them up that they are after also. There are trashbags out there who actively go hunting for those slips.

          Last year there was someone in my building that apparently got caught taking other people's packages from the mailroom. I was surprised to hear because I've never lost one, and I probably get more things delivered than half the people in the building. I'll never understand how stupid people can be, I mean to do that in a secure mailroom with 2x cameras and an electronic log of who opens the door and when - is beyond idiotic.

          I guess it's a good thing that bad people often make stupid mistakes that are easy to prove.

        • Tnetennba on 25/06/2018 - 22:51

          How did the thief steal the note and put it back? Doesn't the PO keep it?

        • resisting the urge on 26/06/2018 - 19:53

          @c0balt: Porch Pirates, eh?

          And the young-uns keep bleatin' about there being no ways to make decent money anymore.

      • ihbh on 26/06/2018 - 07:04
        +2

        My Auspost asks for ID such as drivers license.

        Did you lend yours to the thief?

      • blehgg on 26/06/2018 - 16:12

        Would've taken a photo of it…

    • McMoots on 25/06/2018 - 15:31
      +28

      I think you forgot to include the "lol" at the end of your comment..

      Australia Post are a lot of things, but helpful is certainly not one of them.

      • crazyboy on 25/06/2018 - 15:51
        +2

        They are even so shameless that when I reported on their Twitter page, they cam backlashing at me. Pricks.
        Same happened with Telstra few days ago with their shitty network.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 11:54
    +1

    Being saturday today, their cistomer service is closed.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 11:56
    +5

    I have contacted the seller last night and this morning and told them about wrong signatures. They said they will wait for australian post to investigate and come up with the best resolution.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 11:57
    +1

    The lady said to me that they will check video footage to see who collected it.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2018 - 12:18
    +64

    Weird. My local post office is anal, they want like ten forms of ID and a DNA sample before handing over a package.

    • Topdog on 23/06/2018 - 12:35
      +1

      Same, my post office almost want to do a DNA test before I can collect my parcel.

      • resisting the urge on 26/06/2018 - 19:54
        -1

        Maybe they sell them online once you've left. Anyone asking for more than one gov ID is a major red flag

    • chumlee on 23/06/2018 - 13:02
      +57

      Probably want DNA sample for all that anal going on

    • trustnoone on 23/06/2018 - 14:34
      +3

      I actually think it depends on state for some weird reason? I have a friend that used to work in Aus Post in South Aussie, they just want an ID that has your last name same as package (so family can also pick up) even if my address from my ID doesn't match up (It never does because I move a lot) and noticed this at a few different aus post shops.

      When I moved to NSW, full ID with first and last name must checked, occasionally they'll compare the face on the ID to me, and they'll also check addresses are 100 percent.

    • cdaddy on 25/06/2018 - 09:57

      Same, i get a wand shoved up my shooter each time

    • centrelink on 25/06/2018 - 10:54

      And they are often at times more reliable than the loose cannon ones, I used to send out high amounts of parcaeks to the loose cannons using stamps (about 300k worth of packaging a year). Then I find out by chance they were stealing my stamps! How ungrateful as I been giving them a considerable amount of business. Took my business elsewhere and found them anal and strict and found out I was doing many things wrong with the other PO as they were trying to be a huge suck up to me thinking I was some easy pickings but nope, you screw me then my rules is I screw you 10 times back. Hope their huge preorder of stamps never gets sold lol.

      In the end those who do things by the books are doing them what is supposed to be done.. and the others is why someone decides to screw the system and pick up someone’s package

      • gazzas on 25/06/2018 - 18:13
        +2

        Just curious why did they steal your stamps?

        • muchape on 26/06/2018 - 03:46

          He probably paid for 2 stamps and they only put one on the envelope.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 12:46

    I wish mine did and i would not hv been in this situation.

  • k-rokfm on 23/06/2018 - 12:48
    +2

    Is there anyone else living at your address?

    • BinnyC on 24/06/2018 - 13:41

      No just me and my wife.

        • HighAndDry on 25/06/2018 - 14:30
          +5

          *No, just my wife and I.

        • colaman on 25/06/2018 - 15:17
          +9

          *Just my wife.

        • brazen00 on 25/06/2018 - 15:37
          +23

          @HighAndDry: *No, just my wife and me. (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/when-to-use-i-and-when-…)

        • D C on 25/06/2018 - 19:36
          +5

          @brazen00: Me an' the missus.

        • Antikythera on 26/06/2018 - 15:10
          +5

          *Yes, my wife.

        • Talonparty on 26/06/2018 - 23:01
          +1

          The way to know is to remove one and see if the sentence still makes sense: Just my wife and I -> remove my wife -> Just I — Wrong

        • ThithLord on 27/06/2018 - 08:58

          @brazen00:

          a. Jenny and me/I (?) joined the chess club.

          b. Jill took Justin and me/I (?) to the shop.

          In sentence a), Jenny and me/I are the subjects of the verb joined. Therefore, the subject pronoun, I, is considered correct. You will certainly hear native speakers say, “Jenny and me,” and it may be acceptable in spoken English, but most traditional grammarians and English teachers will disapprove. Don’t use it in writing.

          By your own proof, I'd say it's My wife and I…. (live at this residence).

        • h4zey on 27/06/2018 - 11:58
          +1

          Ozbargain is the best, you can learn English for free here!

        • kururii on 27/06/2018 - 12:54

          @ThithLord: But if you switch to third party pronouns, wouldn't you reply with "her/him/them/us" in this scenario?

          OP was correct, the subject is the address, and object is the resident.

        • CVonC on 27/06/2018 - 13:52

          @ThithLord:

          By your own proof, I'd say it's My wife and I…. (live at this residence).

          but the "just" stuffs that up?

        • CVonC on 27/06/2018 - 13:53

          @kururii:

          but the OP should say "my wife" first instead of "me"?

      • Cartman2530 on 25/06/2018 - 15:53
        +8

        his wife and me lol

      • colaman on 28/06/2018 - 14:11

        Why say "No" when it is "Yes", why included yourself in the answer when it is who else not who is.

  • try2bhelpful on 23/06/2018 - 13:13
    +4

    My post office won't hand over anything until they see something like a drivers licence showing my address. This might get painful as the Post Office has the below policy, but you may be able to claim duty of care when they gave it to someone without asking for proper ID.

    "In some cases, where Extra Cover is not purchased, compensation up to a maximum of $50 and a refund of postage may be payable, or we may elect to repair or replace the item up to $50 value, at our absolute discretion."

    Given you still had the notice I'm not sure why they handed it across anyway?

    • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 15:44
      +7

      Yes exactly. But my quilts were like $180 when the compensation here says is $50. How is that fair at all.

      • try2bhelpful on 23/06/2018 - 18:13
        +3

        I absolutely agree with you, which is why I would be pushing this to the hilt. The problem is they may pull out the "$50 compensation clause" on you. I would make sure I was on their tail by chasing them up every couple of days and telling them you still had the notice so why did they hand it across. As others have said the seller is the one who would, probably, bet the compensation so you might have to deal with them on this. I agree this sucks big time.

        • BinnyC on 24/06/2018 - 13:42

          Thanks for the advice. Will chase up every day for sure.

      • msmhw on 25/06/2018 - 03:07
        +5

        They are good in increasing the postage costs but not the compensation amount.

  • pjetson on 23/06/2018 - 15:43
    +3

    The receiver is not Australia Post's customer, the sender is. The sender paid for the postage, so they are the one who has to claim compensation, if compensation is available.

    • whooah1979 on 25/06/2018 - 18:06
      -1

      The receiver is not Australia Post's customer, the sender is.

      That is incorrect. Both the sender and the addressee are customers. However, only one party may claim compensation depending on the status of the mail article. The claimant may waiver their rights to compensation by nominating the other party.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 15:45
    +1

    And also, its like not lost in transit like while delivering, its gone in wrong hands within the post office store.

  • thatonethere on 23/06/2018 - 17:41

    Could try a chargeback on your credit card if you have admission from Auspost they gave it to someone else (sucks for the seller tho).

    • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 18:07

      Sorry i have not done this before. What do i do and ahould i wait for the seller and Australuan Post to sort it out first. I paid for it through Paypal though.

      • thatonethere on 23/06/2018 - 20:11
        +1

        If it is paypal just get them on chat and say what happened. Make sure you have some digital evidence of you not getting the parcel (as seller could literally provide the auspost delivery confirmation as proof even though you didnt get it).

        If paypal dont buy it if you have paid via a credit card thru paypal just ring the bank whose card it is and do the same.

        Dont leave it too long as there is a limit on how long you can report a chargeback.

        • FunkyHoratio on 24/06/2018 - 09:01
          +6

          Just a heads up: if you chargeback to PayPal they will likely cancel your account permanently.

        • crazyboy on 25/06/2018 - 15:54

          Its 180 days for PayPal.

  • BinnyC on 23/06/2018 - 18:10

    Are there any timeframes for chargeback?

    • the Unforgiven on 24/06/2018 - 08:42

      I am with bankWest (as my bank)& this is what they emailed me:-

      "Things you should know

      If you did not authorise a transaction made with your card, that card must be replaced to prevent further transactions;
We recommend completing the form within 90 days of the transaction debiting your account, to ensure we have sufficient time to handle your request whilst complying with charge back regulations set by Mastercard;
If the transaction occurred outside of the 90 day window, we ask that you complete the form regardless and we will endeavour to assist.
Please allow up to eight weeks for us to complete your dispute. This allows us sufficient time to investigate your claim with Mastercard and the merchant;
We may contact you via post if we need further information or to let you know the outcome of your dispute.

      Once you've printed and signed the Transaction Dispute form, it can be returned via:

      Bankmail, a secure method of communication through your Online Banking."
    • D C on 24/06/2018 - 12:09
      +13

      Don't do a chargeback, that just punishes the seller.

      They're not the ones who cocked this up.

      • HighAndDry on 25/06/2018 - 15:33
        +6

        While I agree with the sentiment of this comment, this is OP's only recourse. OP bought the product from the Seller. Seller pays Auspost to deliver the product. OP can't actually get anything from Auspost - only the seller can.

      • gromit on 25/06/2018 - 18:33
        +4

        and the receiver isn't the one that cocked it up either so why should he wear the cost in the meantime. The reality is he purchased something and it was not delivered, his only recourse is through the seller. though obviously he should try politeness before a chargeback, if the seller tries to pass off responsibility then a chargeback is in order.

  • Love a bargain on 23/06/2018 - 19:43
    +4

    It's the seller's problem. Should just let them deal with Auspost & get them to send you a replacement.

  • BigBirdy on 24/06/2018 - 08:54

    It’s more likely accident than criminal, so Monday may well see the person returning your quilts so they can collect what they actually ordered.

  • Micko179 on 24/06/2018 - 11:11
    +1

    Sadly, this isn't really the sellers problem(even though they will most likely be held accountable. Australia Post regularly does this to me, the parcel/mail sorting centre at Underwood(Brisbane) continually put parcels addressed to me at a physical street address in someone else's P.O.Box(or the collection card), then gleefully hands the parcels over to the person(not me!). Seriously, he signs for them in his name, leaves with a greeting from them(goodbye 'my name'). Has been going on for a number of years & I spend more time on the Phone to AP than I do with my Mother!

    I lodged many many claims as a result of this leaving a lot of negative feedback for sellers & to find this out opened up my eyes. Good luck, seriously!

  • BinnyC on 24/06/2018 - 12:00
    +2

    I hope the other person who picked it up on Friday evening returns it back as this did not happened the next day and that was Saturday. What a joke and an inconvenience.

    • skillet on 25/06/2018 - 10:05

      Not everyone act morally and I hope majority of people does which makes this world a nice place to live.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2018 - 13:29

    Auspost did this to me once but from the other side. I got through the signing for it and everything then on the way back to my car saw it was actually addressed to someone else with the same last name.

    I took it back tho because I wanted my actual parcel not the spark plugs or whatever that were in this guy’s parcel haha

    • Scrooge McDuck on 25/06/2018 - 11:16
      +3

      So when they were looking for your parcel they mistook it for one with a different name and address, simply because it had the same last name?

      That level of incompetence is appalling!

      • smartazz104 on 25/06/2018 - 17:25
        +2

        He said "I'm here to collect a parcel", so they went to the back and grabbed a parcel…

        • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2018 - 22:45

          Nah I’m a woman and this parcel was for a man.

          Not to mention it was the same last name in sound but spelled slightly differently. And obviously at a totally different address than my licence.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2018 - 22:44

        Yep that’s right, I even showed them my ID and signed. They couldn’t find it for ages then they gave me the guys parcel. Had another look and found mine.

  • BinnyC on 24/06/2018 - 13:45

    Loss from the store should be no different to ordering online for click and collect. And if they hand it to someone else from the store, it should be the store investigating and compensating or in my case Australian Post or seller.

  • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 09:03

    Rang Australia Post customer care today and they said we are waiting to hear back from stores investigatiin first. I asked if goods can be tracked and she goes we cannot recover it because it has gone in somebody's possession.

    So, i dont get it that what other investigation they need to do other than if I or my partner collected it.

    They have stuffed it up. Not happy at all. Where else I can put a complaint against Australia Post if they dont fix it up for me?

    • SnoozeAndLose on 25/06/2018 - 09:24

      provide the invoice and ask them to reimburse it?

      • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 12:43

        I am waiting to hear from them and then will fight for it.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 25/06/2018 - 12:49

          what are the value you are talking here?

        • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 12:50
          +1

          $180.

        • SnoozeAndLose on 25/06/2018 - 13:21

          @BinnyC:

          if it is less than $50 i think they can reimburse but $180 you may need to go with Office of fair trading

        • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 14:38

          I will definitely.

  • IPYF on 25/06/2018 - 11:55
    -5

    Someone is clearly going through your mailbox, otherwise how did they even know that package was there? Surely you're looking for one of your neighbours.

    Auspost staff are supposed to check the address on the ID when a package slip is brought in, so either they simply failed to do this at all, or the address on the ID provided was sufficiently similar to pass the muster of a lazy employee (the most obvious way this would happen is if the street name was the same). Either way they're at fault.

    • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 12:42

      Yes i agree. But it would be hard to find who took it. I had the card still at my door. It is surely a case of carelessness at its peak.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 25/06/2018 - 12:55

        so how could this be happening if the card still at your door? i don't understand it.

        if you authorise other people pick up for you , they will recorded their ID too

        • Love a bargain on 25/06/2018 - 13:13
          +1

          The cards that I received often don't have the address (but just name of the recipient) on it

        • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 13:17

          Exactly i dont get it too.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/06/2018 - 13:35

          @BinnyC:
          What I don't get is why someone would collect something clearly not addressed to them.

        • BinnyC on 25/06/2018 - 14:41

          I am guessing someone would have come to collect their parcel ang got mine as well as free.

          Just been to them and they said it was a lady with glasses who took it. They checked the cameras.

        • smartazz104 on 25/06/2018 - 17:26

          @BinnyC: She needs new glasses…

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