Here is the plot: I decide to send a parcel to my family in Greece. I contact Parcelforce, arrange a collection time, and make a payment over the phone. The parcel weighs 30kgs, the upper limit set by Parcelforce. Parcel gets collected and days later I get a call from Parcelforce telling me that the parcel is over the limit weighing 31kgs. So, they have to return the parcel to me and I need to make sure that it is the correct weight. They assured me that if they could send the parcel as it is they would but the computer would not allow them. Here it is again: the computer will not allow them, a machine will not allow them to send the parcel. Unless there is some very strict rule that the parcel can not and should not be a kilo over the limit, Parcelforce is under the control of a big and I hope scary looking computer.
How about allowing people to override the machine, how about Parcelforce carrying scales in their vans so they can weigh parcels before collect them, or how about some product designer out their designing a light and compact set of scales so couriers weigh the parcels at the customer’s address? Surely this will save them money and me the hassle of sending the parcel all over again…
BTW this is only the beginning of the saga: the parcel got lost on its way back to me and Parcelforce was unable to trace it for a while because they operate a highly disjointed and disconnected service.
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