2505 Bits missing from a parcel I recieved....what to do?

I recently ordered something from Australia and had it delivered to my Italian address.
It took an unbelievably long time to get through Italian customs and postal system as the parcel arrived in Italy on the 2nd of January but only got to my local post office on the 26th of January.

That is not the problem!!

Problem is there are bits missing from the parcel...the parcel contained two boxes both of which had clearly been opened, presumably for customs inspection. However one of the boxes is missing a piece and the credit card receipt is missing from the parcel. Futhermore there is no documentation from the customs to say who opened it and when. I was told by an Italian friend of mine that this is standard practice.

What to do? Who do I contact? Do I just complain to the post office or do I take the matter somewhere else (Guardia di Finanza??)?

Category
Legal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/30/2006 - 06:51

I think I`d probably take it up with the post office first. I`m sure they`ll suggest where else to go, if it`s not down to them. I`d be very worried about the credit card receipt though - presumably you`ve contacted your credit card company?:eek:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/30/2006 - 08:17

Many times when customs has to figure what you owe them, they open the box and if they find a receipt they use the price on that. Then they keep the receipt. This happened to me. What I did was call the customs office and told them I needed the receipt for my records and for the guarantee on the product. They took a photocopy for themselves and sent me the original. Luckily the receipt did not have the full number on it (just the last 4 digits) so I did not worry but if yours had the full numb er I would call the CC company and cancel the card immediately.

As for the missing bits, yes, contact the post office as well as when you call customs, tell them about it.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/30/2006 - 09:27

Follow it up - if you know exactly what they removed you should then demand to know why it was removed.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/30/2006 - 11:19

You MUST notify your credit card company, then follow Christina's advice, I have actually come across a couple of companies who will not ship to Italy because of hassles they've had with the customs, and my Private Eye mags. have to come in plain envelopes ;) as when sent in clear bags they frequently disappeared...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/31/2006 - 11:32

[QUOTE=Sano]Follow it up - if you know exactly what they removed you should then demand to know why it was removed.[/QUOTE]

I placed an order in October for some cosmetics, when in December I had still not received anything I contacted the company ( they are an honest company whom I dealt with for years in the UK ), they assured me that the parcel had been sent. I contacted my local post office and they told me it was not their concern and to get back to the original company.
A week later the parcel arrived with only two items ( I had ordered 3 ), once more I rang the company who told me that 3 items had been sent. They were so nice and for good will offered to resend free of charge the missing item. I have aaked this to be posted to my daughter , and will get it when I go to the UK in February.
Meanwhile I keep looking for someone wrinkle free in Maratea, as the item was wrinkle cream.............No luck so far ....