Australia Post is raising eyebrows as they auction off undelivered parcels with no “return to sender” instructions indicated.
‘Ross’s Auctioneers & Valuers’ is hosting a massive online auction on behalf of the postal service.
Some of the things being auctioned include electronics, clothes, and jewellery.
HOW PARCELS BECOME UP FOR AUCTION
If the parcel could not be delivered to its recipient nor can it be returned to its sender, Australia Post sends the parcel to a Mail Redistribution Centre.
The items are opened, catalogued, and will then stay in the centre for two months.
The catalogue is accessible by their contact centre team who will use it to reunite customers with their missing mail.
If it is still not claimed by then, the parcel will be up for auction.
Australia Post reassured that all of the proceeds from the auction will go directly to charity.
They also reassured that all identifying markings on the parcel like names and addresses are removed before being auctioned off.
In the rare event that a customer recognises their missing parcel as up for auction, they are encouraged to contact Australia Post and settle the case.
“Our National Customer Contact Centre will work with the customer and if proof of ownership can be established, the item is withdrawn from the auction and returned,” Australia Post said.
All items are sold on an ‘as is, where is’ basis. This means that the items are being sold in their current condition, regardless of any faults or damage.
STRESSING AUSTRALIA POST
With retail stores closed, a surge in online shopping is adding stress on the postal service delivery workers.
Australians are facing longer-than-usual wait times for parcels as the postal service deals with a massive backlog due to the numerous lockdowns.
RAISING EYEBROWS
Seeing undelivered parcels up for sale did not sit well with some people.
In the most recent auction, some users expressed their discontent with the postal service’s ‘modus’.
“This is totally unacceptable. Most of these items were lost by Australia Post and now they‘re trying to sell them back to us. How disgraceful,” one person commented.
“So this is what‘s going on. Australia Post ‘loses’ heaps of parcels then miraculously ‘finds’ them only to auction them off,” another added.
However, the postal service reassured that their first priority is ensuring that all mail is delivered to its intended recipient.
“We strongly encourage customers to make sure that items are sent with the correct recipient and sender addresses.” Australia Post said.
