[Arm-netbook] Crooks at parcel force

[John Winters]

Alain Williams wrote:
> I have just received a letter from them saying that VAT is payable on the laptop.
> OK, that doesn't worry me: 8 quid.
> But they also want ''parcelforce clearance fee'' of #13.50

They're called Parcel Farce for a reason you know.

A reputable courier like FedEx would deliver the goods and send you an
invoice.  Parcel Farce have now had my package for 5 days and apparently
they've only just worked out that they need to send me an invoice.
Presumably this might (if I'm lucky) arrive tomorrow and then if I pay
it immediately it will be just too late for them to get a delivery in
whilst there's someone here to receive it.

The last time I received an overseas package through Parcel Farce it
took the Oxford depot over a month (and endless pressure from me) to
actually cough it up.

A rule of life is - never, ever, ever, allow anyone to send you anything
by Parcel Farce.  UPS are nearly as bad when it comes to handling
imports (they make the rules up as they go along and then lie blatantly
when challenged with facts), but for supreme sustained incompetence,
Parcel Farce win every time.

Having said all that, I don't think a charge of £13.50 is unreasonable
(they're not responsible for it being a low-value item and their costs
are about the same regardless) if only they actually *earned* the money
by providing a swift and efficient clearance service.  Delaying packages
by (what will be by the time we get there) two weeks and then having the
nerve to charge you for it is more than a little annoying.

John