Parcel delivery is a convenience many people rely on, particularly when buying unique or valuable items from stores in faraway places.

But what happens when that parcel you’ve been waiting for arrives in a damaged or broken condition?

Australia Post recently became embroiled in a heated debate, which was prompted by one customer's post that the contents of a parcel he received were destroyed.

Melbourne local Edwin shared photos of his botched parcel which showed a battered box with ‘fragile’ stickers on social media.

Other photos of his post showed that the ceramics he ordered were completely broken.

‘OK. I’m kind of getting sick of what is absolutely rubbish handling,’ Edwin said.

Edwin posted his damaged items on social media. Credit: Facebook

Edwin said he imports and resells handmade tequila bottles, which are ‘very popular among collectors’. However, since they are fragile, they are required to be handled with care.

Australia Post told Edwin that they couldn’t help that much and claimed that the seller was at fault for how the ceramics were packed.

‘They said it was due to the packaging...but the photo tells a different story,’ Edwin said.

Edwin claimed that this wasn’t the first time he received a damaged parcel, and he had already lost thousands of dollars because of it, with little response from Australia Post.

‘My average ceramic bottles are $150 each, hand made, and hand decorated,’ he said.

His post gained traction online with different reactions.

‘Looks like they played footy with it...that’s just disgusting to treat someone’s parcel with no respect for its contents,’ one said.

‘Oh man, now that’s disappointing,’ said another.

Other users said that the seller should have made sure the goods were intact.

‘Cardboard box...what do you expect?’ one user said.

‘The sender needs to learn how to properly pack what they post,’ another commented.

An Australia Post spokesperson said that they have contracted Edwin to apologise about the incident and have already resolved the issue.

‘On average, Australia Post delivers 9.5 million parcels each week, with the vast majority reaching their destination safely,’ the spokesperson said.

They added, ‘To help parcels travel safely through the network, we always recommend boxes are rigid and firmly packed, to avoid them changing size and shape in transit.’

However, Edwin’s story is not uncommon. Another customer also received a parcel from Australia Post which was ripped open during transit, and her post also sparked a debate about whether the postal service or the sender should take the blame. You can read the rest of the story here.

Australia Post provided some packing tips so that your parcel can make it to the destination intact!

1. The packaging must be durable and secured with heavy-duty packing tape, and items should not be too loose or crammed too tight.

2. Opt for a rigid mailer for your item, as it won’t bend your items during transit.

3. Make sure there’s enough padding between the walls of the box and the item. You can use shredded paper, tissue paper, or void fillers so that the items won’t move around while in transit.

4. Ask for more advice from your local Post Office.

Australia Post also revealed the cut-off dates for sending packages during Christmas.

To those who are sending packages to and from Australia via Parcel Post, the postal service urges customers to send them as early as Wednesday, 14 December. But if they are sending via Express Post, they should send it as early as Tuesday, 20 December, so that the packages will arrive in time for Christmas Day.

Should you have other delivery concerns, you can contact Australia Post via the AusPost app or by calling them at 13 POST (13 7678).

Key Takeaways

• Australia Post customer Edwin posted on social media photos of a damaged parcel containing broken ceramic tequila bottles.
• Edwin claimed the company told him the damage was due to the original sender's packaging, but he believes the photos illustrate otherwise, and said this isn't the first time his packages have been damaged.
• The damaged parcel post ignited a discussion about who holds responsibility for the safe transport of goods, the sender or the delivery company.
• Australia Post has since apologised and resolved the issue with Edwin.
  

What do you think of this story? Who do you think is at fault? Have you also experienced the same as Edwin? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Lindy1708]

We had this happen to us, a few months ago. It was a hard cardboard box, with bubble wrap inside. It was a small box, and it looked as though it had been trodden on. It was medical marijuana, so we were very suspicious. The lid of the bottle was cracked but the contents looked ok. My Dad was a postal driver for the last several years of his working life. He would be horrified at the service these days.

 

[judybailey]

Parcel delivery is a convenience many people rely on, particularly when buying unique or valuable items from stores in faraway places.

But what happens when that parcel you’ve been waiting for arrives in a damaged or broken condition?

Australia Post recently became embroiled in a heated debate, which was prompted by one customer's post that the contents of a parcel he received were destroyed.

Melbourne local Edwin shared photos of his botched parcel which showed a battered box with ‘fragile’ stickers on social media.

Other photos of his post showed that the ceramics he ordered were completely broken.

‘OK. I’m kind of getting sick of what is absolutely rubbish handling,’ Edwin said.

View attachment 34476

Edwin posted his damaged items on social media. Credit: Facebook

Edwin said he imports and resells handmade tequila bottles, which are ‘very popular among collectors’. However, since they are fragile, they are required to be handled with care.

Australia Post told Edwin that they couldn’t help that much and claimed that the seller was at fault for how the ceramics were packed.

‘They said it was due to the packaging...but the photo tells a different story,’ Edwin said.

Edwin claimed that this wasn’t the first time he received a damaged parcel, and he had already lost thousands of dollars because of it, with little response from Australia Post.

‘My average ceramic bottles are $150 each, hand made, and hand decorated,’ he said.

His post gained traction online with different reactions.

‘Looks like they played footy with it...that’s just disgusting to treat someone’s parcel with no respect for its contents,’ one said.

‘Oh man, now that’s disappointing,’ said another.

Other users said that the seller should have made sure the goods were intact.

‘Cardboard box...what do you expect?’ one user said.

‘The sender needs to learn how to properly pack what they post,’ another commented.

An Australia Post spokesperson said that they have contracted Edwin to apologise about the incident and have already resolved the issue.

‘On average, Australia Post delivers 9.5 million parcels each week, with the vast majority reaching their destination safely,’ the spokesperson said.

They added, ‘To help parcels travel safely through the network, we always recommend boxes are rigid and firmly packed, to avoid them changing size and shape in transit.’

However, Edwin’s story is not uncommon. Another customer also received a parcel from Australia Post which was ripped open during transit, and her post also sparked a debate about whether the postal service or the sender should take the blame. You can read the rest of the story here.

Australia Post provided some packing tips so that your parcel can make it to the destination intact!

1. The packaging must be durable and secured with heavy-duty packing tape, and items should not be too loose or crammed too tight.

2. Opt for a rigid mailer for your item, as it won’t bend your items during transit.

3. Make sure there’s enough padding between the walls of the box and the item. You can use shredded paper, tissue paper, or void fillers so that the items won’t move around while in transit.

4. Ask for more advice from your local Post Office.

Australia Post also revealed the cut-off dates for sending packages during Christmas.

To those who are sending packages to and from Australia via Parcel Post, the postal service urges customers to send them as early as Wednesday, 14 December. But if they are sending via Express Post, they should send it as early as Tuesday, 20 December, so that the packages will arrive in time for Christmas Day.

Should you have other delivery concerns, you can contact Australia Post via the AusPost app or by calling them at 13 POST (13 7678).

Key Takeaways

• Australia Post customer Edwin posted on social media photos of a damaged parcel containing broken ceramic tequila bottles.
• Edwin claimed the company told him the damage was due to the original sender's packaging, but he believes the photos illustrate otherwise, and said this isn't the first time his packages have been damaged.
• The damaged parcel post ignited a discussion about who holds responsibility for the safe transport of goods, the sender or the delivery company.
• Australia Post has since apologised and resolved the issue with Edwin.

What do you think of this story? Who do you think is at fault? Have you also experienced the same as Edwin? Let us know in the comments below!

If I were regularly having expensive items shipped to me, I'd be looking at some type of insurance to cover damage and breakages. I do a lot (probably too much) online shopping. I have never had a parcel not turn up or turn up in a damaged condition. The delivery guys are always polite and friendly, one young man even helped us load a dishwasher onto our trailer. I think they do a great job.

 

[Suzanne rose]

If items are coming from overseas ,they go through a centre to check for suspicious items ect .
We had Easter candles sent from Greece and the parcel had been opened and candles put back in , box was very damaged and taped back up badly and we found the candles snapped in half this was done in the centre and a note was in the box they they needed to check the contents.
Couldn't they X-ray the candles instead of breaking them.
I told my sister inlaw not to send anymore . She is my sons Godmother and her husband is my daughters Godfather and it's tradition for Godparents to give their God child a fancy candle at Easter to take to church

 

[Veggiepatch]

Why is it assumed that Australia Post is responsible for the damage? It was stated that the items were imported so why couldn't it have been damaged in transit from overseas.

Just an observation....

 

[AlanQ]

It's glass, packaging required would be more than just a sheet or 2 of bubble wrap. Much like stirring paint, do it til you think's enough then do another 5 minutes of stirring. As applies to packing 'fragile' items for mailing, go over the top with your buffer zone to protect item. Was sent from os, so why is it Aust Post is the only considered perp?

 

[Macarj]

What a lot of crap that damage is not how it would have left the seller that is an Australia post issue

 

[anne2162]

Parcel delivery is a convenience many people rely on, particularly when buying unique or valuable items from stores in faraway places.

But what happens when that parcel you’ve been waiting for arrives in a damaged or broken condition?

Australia Post recently became embroiled in a heated debate, which was prompted by one customer's post that the contents of a parcel he received were destroyed.

Melbourne local Edwin shared photos of his botched parcel which showed a battered box with ‘fragile’ stickers on social media.

Other photos of his post showed that the ceramics he ordered were completely broken.

‘OK. I’m kind of getting sick of what is absolutely rubbish handling,’ Edwin said.

View attachment 34476

Edwin posted his damaged items on social media. Credit: Facebook

Edwin said he imports and resells handmade tequila bottles, which are ‘very popular among collectors’. However, since they are fragile, they are required to be handled with care.

Australia Post told Edwin that they couldn’t help that much and claimed that the seller was at fault for how the ceramics were packed.

‘They said it was due to the packaging...but the photo tells a different story,’ Edwin said.

Edwin claimed that this wasn’t the first time he received a damaged parcel, and he had already lost thousands of dollars because of it, with little response from Australia Post.

‘My average ceramic bottles are $150 each, hand made, and hand decorated,’ he said.

His post gained traction online with different reactions.

‘Looks like they played footy with it...that’s just disgusting to treat someone’s parcel with no respect for its contents,’ one said.

‘Oh man, now that’s disappointing,’ said another.

Other users said that the seller should have made sure the goods were intact.

‘Cardboard box...what do you expect?’ one user said.

‘The sender needs to learn how to properly pack what they post,’ another commented.

An Australia Post spokesperson said that they have contracted Edwin to apologise about the incident and have already resolved the issue.

‘On average, Australia Post delivers 9.5 million parcels each week, with the vast majority reaching their destination safely,’ the spokesperson said.

They added, ‘To help parcels travel safely through the network, we always recommend boxes are rigid and firmly packed, to avoid them changing size and shape in transit.’

However, Edwin’s story is not uncommon. Another customer also received a parcel from Australia Post which was ripped open during transit, and her post also sparked a debate about whether the postal service or the sender should take the blame. You can read the rest of the story here.

Australia Post provided some packing tips so that your parcel can make it to the destination intact!

1. The packaging must be durable and secured with heavy-duty packing tape, and items should not be too loose or crammed too tight.

2. Opt for a rigid mailer for your item, as it won’t bend your items during transit.

3. Make sure there’s enough padding between the walls of the box and the item. You can use shredded paper, tissue paper, or void fillers so that the items won’t move around while in transit.

4. Ask for more advice from your local Post Office.

Australia Post also revealed the cut-off dates for sending packages during Christmas.

To those who are sending packages to and from Australia via Parcel Post, the postal service urges customers to send them as early as Wednesday, 14 December. But if they are sending via Express Post, they should send it as early as Tuesday, 20 December, so that the packages will arrive in time for Christmas Day.

Should you have other delivery concerns, you can contact Australia Post via the AusPost app or by calling them at 13 POST (13 7678).

Key Takeaways

• Australia Post customer Edwin posted on social media photos of a damaged parcel containing broken ceramic tequila bottles.
• Edwin claimed the company told him the damage was due to the original sender's packaging, but he believes the photos illustrate otherwise, and said this isn't the first time his packages have been damaged.
• The damaged parcel post ignited a discussion about who holds responsibility for the safe transport of goods, the sender or the delivery company.
• Australia Post has since apologised and resolved the issue with Edwin.

What do you think of this story? Who do you think is at fault? Have you also experienced the same as Edwin? Let us know in the comments below!

It's not only Australia Post but parcels from overseas. I was returning to Australia in the 70's and had to send some souvenirs home all of which arrived in excellent condition except the box that was marked "handle with care", "breakable items" and "care required", this box was deliberately thrown and kicked around therefore my precious reminder of certain countries were destroyed. NEVER EVER MARK ANY BOX WITH "HANDLE WITH CARE" special effort is taken to ensure these goods will NOT be received intact.

 

[Wayneo]

I agree with AlanQ if it packed properly with plenty of protection even with the damaged box should be intact. We used to send porcelain around Australia and and overseas and like Alan said go over the top with your buffer zone after all parcels are loaded on and off planes and by the look of the photo there was nowhere nearly enough, we never had a damaged item complaint.

It's glass, packaging required would be more than just a sheet or 2 of bubble wrap. Much like stirring paint, do it til you think's enough then do another 5 minutes of stirring. As applies to packing 'fragile' items for mailing, go over the top with your buffer zone to protect item. Was sent from os, so why is it Aust Post is the only considered perp?