Item sent airmail - Royal mail has sent it surface instead

[Fossilman]

Hey Guys,

Im in australia and bought an item off someone who sent it Airmail. Turns out that Royal mail has decided to send it via surface (this may be due to it being a toy firearm). Just wondering if this is the normal procedure? It has been very stressful for me and the seller as it has been 2 months now (apparently surface can take 3 months to AUS). Here is what the tracking says:

Date Time Status Track point
15/05/14 13:00 DESPATCHABLE TODO NOT FLY - SENT SURFACE HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
15/05/14 00:18 RECEIVEDUNKNOWN BAG - MISSING DUN HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
14/05/14 20:49 DESPATCHABLE TOHWDC AIRSURE GREENFORD MAIL CENTRE
14/05/14 20:09 COLLECTED GREENFORD MAIL CENTRE
14/05/14 14:59 ACCEPTED AT POL 108 College Road NW10 5HD

Just wondering if this is common? Should i be stressing?

[SpacePhoenix]

The decision for it not to be allowed to go airmail would have been made by the CAA, not Royal Mail. Is that all the current entries on the tracking? Does it show up at all when you try the tracking number on the AusPost website? Might be worth contacting Australian customs to find out if it'll be allowed into Australia

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The decision for it not to be allowed to go airmail would have been made by the CAA, not Royal Mail. Is that all the current entries on the tracking? Does it show up at all when you try the tracking number on the AusPost website? Might be worth contacting Australian customs to find out if it'll be allowed into Australia

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4372.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; indeed Australian Customs list it in their Items that are or may be subject to control

paintball guns; bb guns; soft air firearms; rifles; handguns; shotguns; muzzle loading firearms; replicas; imitation firearms; toy firearms; pistols; ammunition; parts; accessories; components;

On the actual time frame Royal Mail say the aim is 56 days which means its due any day now (Thu 10 July is the 56th day), but of course going by sea such things as route and weather , will all have an effect.

[Fossilman]

Auspost says "No events currently found". I assume this means it hasnt arrived to be scanned.

I have some concern about the item being withheld by customs (especially since i imagine it has been flagged "DO NOT FLY" on it), but in my state these toys are legal after you fill out a form.

I guess all i can do is wait.

[Fossilman]

I still havent got this and now its august? Any ideas?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

get the sender to put in a claim for it, its really the only option now

[Fossilman]

Just a quick question. Item still hasn't changed its status. Is it possible it has been destroyed or does "Sent surface" mean it was definitely sent

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It means its been scanned as sent surface which 99.99999999% means just that.

Get the sender to make a claim and get a refund from them. By UK Distance Selling regulations thats what should happen.

[Fossilman]

Its now showing "Sorry, there has been a problem with reference number you've entered. Please try again"...

I have actually gotten my money back from the seller...just really want the item..its not an item that can be easily found and replaced