Returning a Kindle - shipping issues (caused by lithium ion battery)

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jonathan18

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#100825 19-Apr-2012 10:02

Hi there

I was wondering whether anyone had experience with or could offer advice on shipping a Kindle (or possibly any other electronic device) back to the US.

I accidentally ordered the incorrect Kindle (a standard 4 rather than Touch) and it was too late to cancel/change the order before it was sent. I then confirmed Amazon will take the return of the original one (and apparently even pay for return postage!).

The problem came when I went to the Post Shop to send this one back - they claimed that as it had a lithium ion battery in it that it needed to be sent by International Courier, at the cost of $65!

Can they be serious??!! I'm not willing to pay that amount, and I'm sure Amazon won't be keen on paying that. Considering Amazon didn't send it by courier, why do I need to return it by this means? The package hasn't even been opened, so it's just the same as it was when originally sent.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Jonathan

surfisup1000

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#611697 19-Apr-2012 10:14

jonathan18:
The problem came when I went to the Post Shop to send this one back - they claimed that as it had a lithium ion battery in it that it needed to be sent by International Courier, at the cost of $65!
Jonathan

You were given the wrong information by the NZ Post counter staff. They should read their own website.

From the NZ Post website, where they specifically mention devices like ipods/kindles...

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/business/sending-within-nz/compensation-prohibited-items
Special packaging requirements for lithium ion and lithium polymer batteriesCheck the table above to see what services you can use to send lithium batteries.

The battery must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
If the battery is enclosed internally and cannot be removed (e.g. iPods), the whole item must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
The inside package and the outer package must have a special warning sticker (MAIL285 sticker) attached, which is available at your local PostShop.

surfisup1000

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#611752 19-Apr-2012 11:03

surfisup1000:
jonathan18:
The problem came when I went to the Post Shop to send this one back - they claimed that as it had a lithium ion battery in it that it needed to be sent by International Courier, at the cost of $65!
Jonathan

You were given the wrong information by the NZ Post counter staff. They should read their own website.

From the NZ Post website, where they specifically mention devices like ipods/kindles...

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/business/sending-within-nz/compensation-prohibited-items
Special packaging requirements for lithium ion and lithium polymer batteriesCheck the table above to see what services you can use to send lithium batteries.
The battery must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
If the battery is enclosed internally and cannot be removed (e.g. iPods), the whole item must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
The inside package and the outer package must have a special warning sticker (MAIL285 sticker) attached, which is available at your local PostShop.

oops, i see that was for sending within NZ....my bad.

jonathan18

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#611754 19-Apr-2012 11:06

surfisup1000:
surfisup1000:
jonathan18:
The problem came when I went to the Post Shop to send this one back - they claimed that as it had a lithium ion battery in it that it needed to be sent by International Courier, at the cost of $65!
Jonathan

You were given the wrong information by the NZ Post counter staff. They should read their own website.

From the NZ Post website, where they specifically mention devices like ipods/kindles...

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/business/sending-within-nz/compensation-prohibited-items
Special packaging requirements for lithium ion and lithium polymer batteriesCheck the table above to see what services you can use to send lithium batteries.
The battery must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
If the battery is enclosed internally and cannot be removed (e.g. iPods), the whole item must be sufficiently wrapped and packaged separately within the parcel and able to withstand a 1.2m drop. This is the inside package.
The inside package and the outer package must have a special warning sticker (MAIL285 sticker) attached, which is available at your local PostShop.

oops, i see that was for sending within NZ....my bad.

Thanks heaps for linking to that. The depressing bit it seems is that it does appear that I got the correct advice, going by that page also saying express courier is the only means to send anything with lithium ion batteries. I've just got off the phone from NZ Post and the International staff back up what I was told.

I think the answer may be to sell it on TM to try to recoup my costs - a cheaper option than paying $65!

trig42

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#611778 19-Apr-2012 11:35

You should get a reasonable price on TM for it. Brand new in box. Set the reserve at $20 below what you paid and watch it get more.

Bung

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#611791 19-Apr-2012 11:52

jonathan18: Considering Amazon didn't send it by courier, why do I need to return it by this means? The package hasn't even been opened, so it's just the same as it was when originally sent.

Just curious, did the original packaging come with a lable “Package Contains Lithium-Ion Batteries (no lithium metal).”

The only thing I can think of is that US Post don't use passenger services for mail perhaps.

jonathan18

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#611909 19-Apr-2012 14:22

Bung:
jonathan18: Considering Amazon didn't send it by courier, why do I need to return it by this means? The package hasn't even been opened, so it's just the same as it was when originally sent.

Just curious, did the original packaging come with a lable “Package Contains Lithium-Ion Batteries (no lithium metal).”

The only thing I can think of is that US Post don't use passenger services for mail perhaps.

No, the package made no mention at all of the battery. The returns information from Amazon did include mention that DHL needed to note on the packing slip it contained LI-ON batteries.

Yep, here's hoping most of the cost will be re-couped through TM - it'll still be cheaper for someone than buying one directly themselves or through DSE.