Omg So Angry At Local Post Office

[newbie]

We have 8 parcels to send. Took them into local post office where we were asked what was in them. Please bear in mind we have used this post office many times and they know our faces. We told them that nothing on the prohibited list was in them. They insisted on knowing what was in them and we refused to tell them because quite frankly it is none of their business. (I hasten to add we had sold a few things on ebay shoes, xstitch kits etc). Even though some of the parcels were in fact flat and came under the large letter category they would not send the parcels. Just spoken to Post Office customer services who says there is no legal obligation to declare what is in them. But they have no control over counter staff and gave me another number. I rang that number and explained and apparently a new 'directive' today says that we have to tell them what is in the parcel. So it seems from now on everybody and his mate will know what you are sending if you use the post office. The stupid thing is we could lie and say it is teddy bears or something. If I was the sort of person who wanted to send any prohibited items I am hardly likely to declare it am I. This is just totally ridiculous and the sooner we get competition for Royal Mail the better. If the counter staff had explained about the directive I might have understood but I was told either tell them or they would not process the parcels. So needless to say I walked out. I already use another service for parcels (and I don't get asked what is in them). Does anyone know of a viable cost effective service where letters and small parcels can be sent please?

[EDDIE51]

Here is the full list, can you imagine the time it would take if every person posting an item had to read through this? far easier to just as ''what are you posting?''
http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/DangerousGoods_Leaflet_July2013.pdf

[Canary42]

////Canary - if you are going to comment on a posting perhaps you should read all the posting before you comment. I did NOT say I was sending sensitive stuff but commenting for those who might. ///

Sorry, my bad.

[Twenty20]

"My parcels, my business." Maybe, but you are handing them over to another company to transport for you. It's their business to know if anything in the parcels is illegal or dangerous.

I really can't see what the problem is, or what the fuss is about? You'll get asked similar questions every time you fly with an airline. What do say to the airline staff when they ask about your cases?

[woofgang]

well but airline staff don't ask what is in your cases, they ask to confirm that you oacked your cases yourself, aren't carrying stuff for other people and don't have certain things in your case.

[bishops1]

My advice would be, to never disclose that you are sending anything of value to counter staff at the post office. Reason, just Google: Painswick post office court case. Need I say more!

[ToraToraTora]

I thought they asked so they could try and flog you some extra insurance.