I've got an item to return to the manufacturer for repair. The manufacturer were magnificent. They sent, via DHL, a box for me to return it in, at no cost to me. They included instructions on how to return it via DHL, including the number to call to arrange a collection.
My wife took the parcel to the local DHL depot (Poole) because she works nearby. They wouldn't take it because the parcel's not in the system. "Computer says no...", you get the picture - gormless twat behind the counter.
"So how do you get it into the system?" she asked. Apparently we have to book in a collection first, and state that we'd take it to the depot. They wouldn't tell her how to do this though.
So I just tried to book in a collection. Again they refused. Why? Because they currently have a UK-wide embargo on accepting new parcels due to the fact that the cold weather is limiting their ability to deliver the parcels they've already got.
I should point out that this parcel needs to be taken from Poole in Dorset to Worthing in West Sussex. Both of these are on the south coast of England, and are not gripped by impassable snow and ice any more. Both addresses are joined by very big road. You can get from one to the other without having to use any small roads. In fact, you'd probably get away with not using the steering wheel for large parts of the journey (though I wouldn't recommend trying this).
So why aren't they collecting and delivering in the south? The roads down here are fine? Do DHL lorries in the south stop working if there's ice and snow in the north? Or is it because the company is run by people that don't have the imagination to do the job properly?
