French postal service

[Stephen]

I of late have had a problem with the French post office, or from buyer who is having problems reciving a book i sent out just after Christmas, US customs tracking number shows it leaving US of A...after that im lost, buyer has put a hold on my Ebay account causing other delays for helping another member here. Please tell me theres somewhere someone can go in Paris to look for misplaced items...phone calls dont seem to be helping anyone. working thru some heart problems and this stress is not helping ....esp not haviing any money for the rest of the month.

 

any ideas??

[Jean]

Stephen,

 

No unless we can follow it by a tracking number in France as with EMS or Chronopost International.

 

It is jungle down here, it is not uncommon to have parcels stolen or disappearing in France

[Bugyotsuji]

Same with UK. Had two problems last year, both going out of and coming into the UK. Even with a tracking number they told me they had lost it! (Turned up later, though, after I kicked up a stink.)

 

Especially bad around Christmas though. Can take three weeks to a month easily. There seems to be no 100% fail-safe way. :|

 

Had a problem sending something from Japan to Canada recently too...

 

Hope the book turns up.

[Stephen]

Thank you my friends, the good fellow Bruno has my numbers and is going for a look see, yes sent just after Xmas so I don't see the panic to hold up funds on PP. Buyer is a member here so I wont go into dental how I feel about this. Issued a refund today so if it does get to him well see if he keeps it or sends it back. Satcho said the book sells in 250-300 dollar range....winning bid was 97$ so its been a disaster from the get go. thank you three for the support.

[george trotter]

Stephen san,

Sorry you are having mail hassles...there is nothing worse than these long drawn out problems between countries...Australia can be so simple and easy, then next time a month delay and ulcers. Sometimes, it gets down to which guy/girl you speak to behind the counter...the helpful one who knows the system or the blank face stare guy!!!

Sorry, I guess I'm still in trauma over a recent stuff up.

I hope Bruno can help you...he is a good guy!

Regards,

[Stephen]

Thanks George

 

I hope Bruno can help you...he is a good guy!

 

yes my inspector Bruno

[drbvac]

I just sent a package to a member in France and the tracking number went far enough to say it got out of customs and released to the French post - office, so I really hope it gets there safely. Not as if they ship it for nothing - spent nearly $80 to get it there with the tracking and signature

 

Why do we all put up with such terrible service and the attitudes of these postal folks. Must be terribly stressful sorting and losing mail all day - thats why they go "postal" I guess -

 

By the By - Stephen: Focus on getting better - get healthy and stay that way - alternatives suck !

[Stephen]

Thanks Doc, trying but cant even get my walks in nowdays, stress test in two weeks at the VA ...taking it easy until then.

[Bruno]

One thing that might happened is that the parcel is at customs warehouse for inspection. If Stephen did not put an invoice on the box, they cannot do the customs clearance and they take their time to claim it.

 

I do not know if this can happen when it is a private person (Stepehen) and not a company who sells the item, but it is possible.

 

Anyway, I will ask LA POSTE this saturday to sort this matter out.

[Stephen]

Anyway, I will ask LA POSTE this saturday to sort this matter out

 

 

thanks, but not a box, a padded envelope, and your right no invoice

[Bruno]

and your right no invoice

 

I would not be surprised then, that the envelopp is in custom warehouse waiting for an invoice to be cleared.

 

It can take more than a month without you or the consignee be aware of the situation.

 

If so, you will have to provide a Word format commercial invoice with you as shipper etc....and forward it to consignee.

 

Then consignee will send it to customs for the envelopp to be cleared.

[pcfarrar]

Aren't books exempt customs duty/tax like in the UK. Should be no reason for customs to hold the shipment.

 

Was the shipment sent via the cheap USPS Airmail M-Bags? That can take quite a while to arrive, I had a book sent by that method and it took 2 months.

[Stephen]

i gave buyer a refund you find the book its yours Bruno

can give you a copy of refund and letter saying its yours

[Curran]

Stephen,

 

I am sorry you are going through this. Last year I couldn't believe the customs hassle I had with sending tsuba to Japan. That was ludicrous. It seems the last year has seen Nihonto have many mailing problems from tsuba being "weapons" to same being now protected/controlled import-export by the Department of Game and Wildlife.

 

I've dealt with issues to Europe many times. Most of the problem items were books under $100 in value sent to France or Germany. Only one time did the item never turn up. The other dozen times, often it was simply held in Customs for about 1 month.... perhaps because they are low priority.

 

Once in there, it is incredibly hard to shake loose. But it usually makes it to the destination.

 

Curran

[Stephen]

Mailed a book same time to Germany, not a word of problems...just the luck of the draw i guess.

[Bruno]

Hi Stephen,

 

If I find the book I ship it directly to you. I do appreciate your offer but cannnot accept it.

 

I advise you soon.

 

Regards