Dear Editor,
Last week I had an issue with Laparkan which, although it has been resolved to my satisfaction, I still think the public needs to be aware of. It is this.

I was advised by the local Laparkan office that a package sent by my wife was “freight collect.” This means that the shipping cost is not paid by the sender but by the person to whom the article is addressed. I therefore paid the sum requested. However, in a subsequent conversation with my wife she indicated that she had already paid the freight cost and sent me the receipt.

I called Laparkan who mounted an immediate investigation and confirmed that we had in fact paid twice for the same service.
I was fortunate to have been able to pursue the matter. Many people may not have been so fortunate.

I would therefore advise any person receiving any package, barrel, etc, who is told that it is “freight collect” to confirm with the sender that the service has not been paid for in advance.

The shipper could avoid such error and embarrassment by ensuring that “freight collect” is printed boldly on the form and carries a separate signature of the sender attesting that the item is “freight collect.”
Yours faithfully,
Christopher Ram