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A Royal Mail customer who enjoys collecting rare toys has criticised the care taken when delivering fragile goods after a parcel arrived ‘squashed like a pancake’. Shaun Knight, of Newton Abbot, says he was shocked this week when a postman knocked on his door with a parcel that he claims was soggy, ripped and crushed.
The cardboard packaging was wrapped with ‘fragile’ parcel tape around the top of the parcel and sent as a signed for parcel. It contained a rare edition Minecraft figure which Shaun bought in the hope that it would become valuable in many years to come.
Although the plastic ‘Alex’ figure itself is not damaged, the original packaging it is boxed in has been which Shaun says has significantly reduced its future value. He says Royal Mail parcels have turned up at his door in a similar state ‘multiple times’ within the past year.
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He said: “I found the item on eBay for around £31 including postage. It’s a rare Minecon 2016 exclusive.
“When it arrived yesterday morning, January 5, it was squashed like a pancake and the box was soaking wet. It was ripped on the bottom and the corners were smashed in. When the postman banged on my door he laughed as he handed it to me.
“It makes you wonder if Royal Mail is playing football with fragile packages?”
After lodging a complaint with Royal Mail, Shaun says he has been told that the receiver of the package can’t make a claim for damaged goods, but the sender can.
(Image: Shaun Knight)
Shaun said: “I collect rare collectables as an investment for my children. Although this particular item cost £31, in about 20 years time it could be worth £500, but only in mint condition. The box needs to be in pristine condition and unopened. Now it’s only worth about 20 per cent of its value.
“It is now costing people more money to send items as they have lost so much money through damaged goods.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “The vast majority of mail is delivered safely and on time. We are very sorry for the problems reported to us on this occasion, and are in touch with our customer to resolve his complaint.”
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