Withdrawn POST OFFICE DESTROYING KNIFE - THE END !!!

[hughtrimble]

Well I learned something today. There is a little known exception to knife sale law which no knife retailer seems to adhere to. 100% I've come across want you to be 18.

You're welcome.

 

[GreyCat]

I suspect that the carriage of items requiring "18 or over" confirmation has been tightened up across the board in RM.

If you purchase a box of wine/beer or a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, it's the same routine, always has been- just that these usually come via courier as they are bigger parcels, or are classified as Dangerous Goods which require an ADR carrier (which RM is not).

Hopefully @Mervg can get his knive set back- and perhaps there needs to be a requirement on the "edged tools classified" that the sender used age verified service?

GC

 

[hughtrimble]

Hopefully @Mervg can get his knive set back- and perhaps there needs to be a requirement on the "edged tools classified" that the sender used age verified service?

My concern is that even if Mervg had used the age verified service, they would have still seized and apparently destroyed the knives, given their letter makes no mention of the lack of age verification being the issue.

The ones I've sent using age verification were far less traditional knives than Mervg's, but reached their recipients. So it may be possible that age verification parcels are not scanned like the rest of the mail, but I'd be very surprised. I imagine it's more likely to be inconsistent and incorrect interpretation by the staff working that particular day of what is and isn't prohibited. Much like the border/customs staff.

Not a good situation.

 

[Stlh374]

My concern is that even if Mervg had used the age verified service, they would have still seized and apparently destroyed the knives, given their letter makes no mention of the lack of age verification being the issue.

The ones I've sent using age verification were far less traditional knives than Mervg's, but reached their recipients. So it may be possible that age verification parcels are not scanned like the rest of the mail, but I'd be very surprised. I imagine it's more likely to be inconsistent and incorrect interpretation by the staff working that particular day of what is and isn't prohibited. Much like the border/customs staff.

Not a good situation.

My age verification sent knives got stopped which is why I now know quite alot about this after 3 weeks of emails back and forth the problem is the staff arnt trained and don't know the difference between the banned knives and restricted knives they tried everything with me started by saying my knives were illegal and they were contacting the police they soon backed down when I said I worked for the police and if they would like my collar number and at that point it hit them with the fact they had now stolen my knives they would be getting investigated and that was the point they became very nice my destroyed knives were magically found and a few days later I got an apology and my knives got returned but I had to fight for them

 

[hughtrimble]

My age verification sent knives got stopped which is why I now know quite alot about this after 3 weeks of emails back and forth the problem is the staff arnt trained and don't know the difference between the banned knives and restricted knives they tried everything with me started by saying my knives were illegal and they were contacting the police they soon backed down when I said I worked for the police and if they would like my collar number and at that point it hit them with the fact they had now stolen my knives they would be getting investigated and that was the point they became very nice my destroyed knives were magically found and a few days later I got an apology and my knives got returned but I had to fight for them

That is appalling. Excellent result but appalling from them. Very useful to know about the age verification not offering protection from this kind of overreach.

 

[spader]

Retail sellers do not seem to be subject to the same terms as private individuals using these services.

Or maybe there are a lot more complicated situation with the issue. I was not aware of them. I read more about the situation, and realise that there could be mammoth amount of uncertainties, grey areas and red tapes and grape vine stories.

I think I have been lucky with my purchases so far. Good to be in a position that I don't need another edge tool now after the last purchase.

 

[hughtrimble]

@Mervg May I ask where you were sending the package from and to? Just counties/nearby cities will do, just trying to work out how far it had to travel.

 

[Mervg]

@Mervg May I ask where you were sending the package from and to? Just counties/nearby cities will do, just trying to work out how far it had to travel.

Hey, it was going from stourport on severn Worcestershire to Shetland - a long way !!!
As an update, I did complain to the post office and had the expected reply. I then upgraded the complaint and had pretty much the same reply. Knives were destroyed !!!
Nothing else can be done !!!!!

 

[hughtrimble]

Hey, it was going from stourport on severn Worcestershire to Shetland - a long way !!!
As an update, I did complain to the post office and had the expected reply. I then upgraded the complaint and had pretty much the same reply. Knives were destroyed !!!
Nothing else can be done !!!!!

Again, I'm really sorry to hear this.
It's possible therefore that what @mikehill said elsewhere on the forum then (https://bushcraftuk.com/community/t...-after-22nd-april.165249/page-12#post-2072605), that the risk is when the parcels fly and are thus scanned, otherwise they aren't routinely scanned.
I really hope. I have a good few knives to sell but am really very wary of RM acting with extreme prejudice, given your experience.

 

[mimozine]

the must a recourse from a legal point of view. i believe there is a lawyer or two on edgematters who could advise you of legal rights. a private company destroying property sounds dodgy to say the least.

 

[aris]

Ask for proof of destruction.

 

[Chris]

I received a knife through the post today from another BCUK member, age verified and clearly market as a sharp woodworking tool. England -> England.

No issues.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Does this also count for Special Delivery? How are Hennie and Framar dealing with this?

I am about to part with an arm and half a leg for a Large CR Inkosi and an Alan Wood Woodlore. Not to mention I just purchased an Axe and a Nessie from the classifieds here (Which should arrive today) & the thought of these so flippantly being stolen is really concerning.

Who determines whether or not they’re woodworking tools or a “Combat” knife?

 

[hughtrimble]

Does this also count for Special Delivery? How are Hennie and Framar dealing with this?

I am about to part with an arm and half a leg for a Large CR Inkosi and an Alan Wood Woodlore. Not to mention I just purchased an Axe and a Nessie from the classifieds here (Which should arrive today) & the thought of these so flippantly being stolen is really concerning.

Who determines whether or not they’re woodworking tools or a “Combat” knife?

Your can't yet use Special Delivery as it doesn't have the required age verified option, so you have to use the age verified method which has a much lower insurance cover. Hopefully they add it as an option to Special Delivery. You could look into getting independent insurance cover, like Secursus, but be really really careful with the T&C's as I imagine it's void if the item is deemed prohibited.

Heinnie's have stopped using Royal Mail for impacted sharps. No idea about Frank but you can always call him if you're concerned, he's always been good fun to talk to!

In terms of who determines whether what you've sent/been sent is prohibited or not, is completely unknown. There is no appeals process. It is appalling.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Your can't yet use Special Delivery as it doesn't have the required age verified option, so you have to use the age verified method which has a much lower insurance cover. Hopefully they add it as an option to Special Delivery. You could look into getting independent insurance cover, like Secursus, but be really really careful with the T&C's as I imagine it's void if the item is deemed prohibited.

Heinnie's have stopped using Royal Mail for impacted sharps. No idea about Frank but you can always call him if you're concerned, he's always been good fun to talk to!

In terms of who determines whether what you've sent/been sent is prohibited or not, is completely unknown. There is no appeals process. It is appalling.

Thanks Hugh. Given the value of the pointy things I’ll probably just drive to Coventry for the Sharp Show in November and collect them.

Off to check the new rules in detail now to see if Axes are affected.

 

[hughtrimble]

Thanks Hugh. Given the value of the pointy things I’ll probably just drive to Coventry for the Sharp Show in November and collect them.

Off to check the new rules in detail now to see if Axes are affected.

If that's an option, I would 1000% go for that!

A major issue with their prohibited items list is the 'and any similar items', which is entirely qualitative. As 'battle axes' are specified as prohibited, I don't think other axes are that safe.

I did read somewhere about them encouraging the sender to include documentation showing how they're not on the prohibited item list. I suppose if it's a Small Forest Axe, you can print out (if you have a printer!) a load of UK websites selling them, and I'd make sure Uncle Ray was at the top of that list with a photo of him holding such an axe!