Pensioner's Parcel Allegedly Dumped in Bin by Royal Mail, Sparking Outrage
A pensioner, Eslyn Daley, was left dismayed after a parcel containing food and clothing, intended for her family in Jamaica, was allegedly "dumped" in a recycling bin by a Royal Mail employee. The parcel was then taken away by refuse workers before it could be collected.
The Incident
In June, Ms. Daley, 67, shipped the package from Birmingham to London, entrusting it to Royal Mail for delivery to her brother, who planned to take the items to their family in Jamaica. However, her brother was later shown a picture of the lost parcel inside a recycling bin, which had already been emptied.
Ms. Daley claims she is yet to receive a direct apology from Royal Mail regarding the incident. Despite a letter being written to Royal Mail bosses on her behalf by Al Carns, the MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, she says the company has failed to directly address her concerns or offer an appropriate financial remedy for her troubles.
"You put garbage and rubbish in a bin. If it is a mistake they need to prove that to me, but they haven't said anything to me. If you take on the responsibility to deliver something, you should ensure that it is delivered in good condition." - Eslyn Daley
Royal Mail's Response
Royal Mail has confirmed that the member of staff involved has been spoken to and has stated that it is "never" company policy to place parcels in bins. In a statement, Royal Mail expressed their apologies: "We are very sorry for the way this item was delivered and for the distress caused to Ms Daley. We have spoken to the postman involved and reminded the team of the standards expected to ensure this does not happen again."
Despite the apology, Ms. Daley has said the ordeal and subsequent treatment by Royal Mail have left her feeling "shocked, upset, and stressed."
Wider Delivery Concerns
The incident highlights broader concerns about parcel delivery services. Jane Hawkes, a consumer expert, noted that her inbox is filled with complaints about parcel deliveries, with issues not limited to a single company. She described the situation as "unacceptable," stating that "An increasing number of parcels are being delivered where they shouldn't be."
Former Royal Mail employee Mark Redmond added that delivery staff are often too busy to leave "sorry we missed you" cards, leading to confusion, particularly for less tech-savvy individuals who rely on traditional notification methods.
Citizens Advice Survey
A survey conducted by the Citizens Advice charity found that 36% of 8,000 Britons asked had experienced issues with their last package delivery, showing the prevalence of delivery problems. Royal Mail claims that when a parcel can’t be delivered and no instructions are given, it will be left with a neighbour, put in a so-called "safe place", or taken back for customers to collect.
