returning un-ordered goods

[tali122]

i have recieved a parcel for the previous tenant- it was left by the courier at my neighbours.the courier parcelnet has no phone contact number, the parcel has no info has to who has sent it.Am i allowed to open it as it belongs to someone else to establish further details to contact?
will the sender deal with me as i am phoning therefore on the previous tenants account?
should i take it to the p office?

[smudge]

If the parcel was delivered by courier, I don't think the P.O. would be interested in dealing with it.

So, I would tend to open it to look for a phone number of the sender/courier, then phone & ask for either a pre-paid return label, or for them to collect it from you.

I know it's probably against the law to open other people's parcels, but in this case I think it may be your only option. I'm sure the sender will be only to pleased to receive it back.

Whatever you decide to do, please ensure you retain written confirmation of return if you send it back, or if they collect it from you - otherwise you could find yourself liable at a later date. Good luck!

[smudge]

P.S. Further to my first para, you could give the P.O. a call first, just to see if they will deal with it - but please remember to retain proof from them, if they do.

[Famous5]

I've just googled and found a website for parcelnet (in UK) which has contact details.

However (again in UK) there is the Unsolicited Goods Act of 1971 which in summary means -  

Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971, (as amended) it is an offence to demand payment for goods known to be unsolicited, in other words, they were sent to a person without any prior request made by them or on their behalf.

Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department, whose details can be located from http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/.

Enjoy whatever it is!!!

 

[smudge]

Blimey Famous 5 - I'll bear that in mind for the next time someone plonks a parcel in my porch for next door!

[woofgang]

famous5, tali122 says that the parcel was addressed to a previous tenant, not her, therefore it is not unsolicited mail within the meaning of the act and she can't keep it under the act

[ursula62]

hear hear, Woofgang. The Act only applies if the unordered item(s) are addressed to you personally. In this case, as they are addressed to the previous tenant you are not entitled to keep them under the terms of the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act.

However, you should be able to charge the courier company a reasonable amount for safely storing the item until they can be bothered to collect it.