There is currently a lot to do for the Austrian postal service: in December, more than a million parcels have already been transported on several days, the daily maximum is around 1.3 million parcels. In total, up to 58 million letters and Christmas cards and 19.6 million packages are expected. But if there are “crumbs” about the delivery of this, the consumer is often faced not only with problems, but also with difficult legal questions.
On an average day in 2022, Swiss Post will deliver around 600,000 parcels. In December, of course, there are many more. Swiss Post is employing almost 1,400 additional workers to handle this volume of mail. But with the increasing flow of packages for the holidays, there are also problems with delivery.
The most common annoyances: The delivery person does not ring the bell and places the order directly in the parcel shop. The goods are damaged or are delivered to a remote pick-up station. The package is simply left on the doorstep, given to the neighbor without any information or it cannot be found – although it was reportedly given to the neighbor or put in the mailbox.
Many problems arise mainly from the fact that parcel shipments are based on two contracts: the consumer’s purchase of the product, including the online retailer’s delivery promise, and the transport contract between the retailer and the parcel service. If something goes wrong, the online store can claim their contractual rights, but not the recipient – because they are not, strictly speaking, a customer of the deliverer. This disadvantage runs like a red thread through the complaints.
There is not the right jurisprudence for every problem
In addition, this complicated triangular relationship is full of difficult legal issues: Many parcel services and the Post Market Act prescribe that a parcel may also be delivered to a replacement recipient. However, thanks to the EU Consumer Rights Directive, the risk of loss or damage to the ordered goods does not pass from the retailer to the consumer until the latter or a third party designated by them has “taken possession of the goods”. And: there is not the right jurisprudence for every problem.
What you should know:
- Choice parcel service: Unfortunately, you have no right of choice, it only depends on the online shop which shipping options are offered. After all: with an “AllesPost” subscription, Swiss Post takes over the parcels from other couriers and delivers them to the subscribers.
- One time attempt: The Postal Market Act provides for at least one personal delivery attempt. The delivery person must therefore ring the doorbell at your home and not just take the package directly to the collection station.
- Storage Permission: A parking permit is at your own risk. Keep in mind that you bear the risk yourself if the package gets lost during the process. Therefore, do not choose a visible place as a drop-off location.
Tip: The postal supervisor has set up a portal for postal receipt complaints. You can find these HERE.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
