Llyr Williams of Goodwick Band recently sold a trombone on eBay to a buyer in the UK and wanted to make sure his happy customer would receive his purchase in excellent condition and as soon as possible.

He used Parcelforce — as he had done in the past with other items — and thought everything would be OK.

Claim

However, as he told 4BR...

"Parcelforce damaged the item during delivery (above), and I proceeded to make a claim for the damage.

I had purchased £1,000 of Enhanced Cover so that I believed I would be covered for any eventuality — and I had also ensured that the instrument was properly packaged. I notified them from the outset that it was a trombone I was sending with them — and they proceeded to sell me this Enhanced Cover."

He added: "Last week I was notified that the claims process was finished and I would receive £100 compensation as Parcelforce's Enhanced Cover doesn't cover musical instruments.

I notified the buyer and he also said that he'd used Parcelforce on numerous occasions and never knew, or was informed, that musical instruments were not covered.

I now hope that others will not use Parcelforce in this way."

As Obi-Wan Kenobi wouldn't say when sending his Christmas prezzies then — The Parcelforce is not with you...4BR

No musical instrument cover

4BR contacted Parcelforce (on a 67p a minute information help line) and after a little bit of waiting eventually found that they do not cover musical instruments under their regular insurance or enhanced services in the UK.

They suggested that any customer wishing to send a valuable musical instrument seek out appropriate carriers, and make sure that they ask for confirmation of insurance details and exclusions before they enter into any postal process.

Obi-Wan

As Obi-Wan Kenobi wouldn't say when sending his Christmas prezzies then — The Parcelforce is not with you...