I purchased my wedding dress online, and the company delivered the dress to me via Parcelforce. However, after waiting a couple of months with still no sight of the dress, I contacted Parcelforce, who took ages to confirm they have actually delivered it. They claimed we have signed for it, but the signature did not resemble anyone living at our residence.

After constant nagging, Parcelforce finally admitted that the delivery driver had SIGNED FOR THE PARCEL HIMSELF because no one was home! Needless to say, it disappeared from the front porch. During investigations, the driver even had the gall to return to the residence, and when my 15-year-old sister-in-law-to-be answered the door, had a go at her!

Finally, Parcelforce told me to fill out a claims form. I did, sent it off, and after 16 weeks with no news, I called again to follow up. Without informing me, they have rejected the claim because they do not accept claims on non-express import items!

What I didn't understand was this: why did they ask me to waste so much time and effort to make a claim when they KNEW from the start what sort of parcel it was and that I couldn't claim on it?

With our wedding coming up, we are understandably strapped for cash, and losing the money spent on the dress I had my eyes on for ages has really put a damper on our planning. I can't believe how incompetent and unhelpful Parcelforce is. Judging by the reviews I've read online, I don't seem to be their only victim. In fact, one day I came home to a Parcelforce package outside my door. It needed a signature but no one was home. It looks like the Parcelforce deliverymen have a habit of forging signatures to save a return trip!

If I buy anything from now on that requires delivery, I will make it a point to tell them NOT to send it via Parcelforce!