Our Camino Parcel Saga

[Cowboy99]

Our Camino Parcel Saga

Pamplona May 02 2024

We had just walked across the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port, France. Our plan was to walk 800km along the Camino de Santiago. As it would happen I picked up an intestinal bug which slowed us down at Pamplona. We realized some changes were needed.

One, was lighten our backpacks and two, send our main packs by “donkey carrier, actually, “Jaco Transport”, each day but only if we had a forwarding reservation. First we decided what we would mail home, then head across the Plaza to the Pamplona/Iruna Correos office. I found this with the help of a local policeman who led me around the corner of the same building. Here the clerk packaged our baggage and presented a receipt a tracking number. We got so much help along the way, even though the language issue wasn’t difficult, help became a most grateful component from the moment we landed at Charles de Gaul at Paris. So we stepped up to the postal counter, provided passports and shipping details. Here we made a fatal mistake by not thinking clearly how our package would be retrieved at home in Canada. We assumed the parcel would be waiting for us when we got there. Wrong again.

On with our Camino enjoying the trip of a lifetime as noted to Ivar on his Camino Forum. Other details of our trip will have to wait for another episode.

Seven weeks later we arrived home, precisely June 13, to check the mailbox. Yes, there was the post office notice of a waiting parcel. So straight off to the local sub-office. “Sorry folks, your parcel was shipped back to Spain.” We had missed our 15 day, retrieval window. Having lived at the same address for 45 years I could not believe this could happen. Dam, so we immediately went to our main post office and find out more from the Postmaster. After relaying the full story with all the very sympathetic staff listening, he said we would get it back from Spain.

So I waited weeks before checking with Canada Post using their tracking site to learn more. After discovering to use the word ”Agent,” I got past a robot to someone who could help.

Canada Post agents were always helpful so I left this in their capable hands.

So I moved on to try other options. I set up an account with Correos. After many attempts to achieve a connection using their robot, email, and telephone, where language was a constant problem, I went back to our Sechelt Postmaster. He suggested I try the Canada Post Ombudsman as a last resort. But first I sent a letter to Correos at Pamplona which returned weeks later unopened!!!

Frustrated further, I contacted the North Vancouver office of the Spanish Consul, and even got a speedy reply from Canada World Affairs at Barcelona. No real help but a long list of Spanish lawyers to contact.

So back to Canada Post who again consented to checking with Correos and the response was everything now had to handled by Correos. I lodged a complaint on the Correos web and was presented with a tracking number. Finally, I received a public relations reply that my parcel had been returned to Pamplona. I learned this three months previous.

As I mentioned, I subscribe to Ivars Camino Forum and scan it regularly for items of interest. Recently I spotted a couple of Correos email addresses. Thinking I might get lucky, I fired off an email exposing my plight. Well, would you believe one responded immediately. Now full details were in someone’s hands at Correos. Next day a very kind unnamed person emailed me to requesting I forward my correct address with MTCN (money transfer control number). After learning how to send a Western Union payment to a Director at Correos, Pamplona. Our parcel is now enroute home, a second time….. with our clothing just in time for winter !

Some valuable lessons have been learned, the first being don’t give up.

So many thanks to all who helped us retrieve our parcel and a special thank you to Correos who store our parcel safe while waiting for us to contact them. And kudos to Ivar and his Camino Forum for providing the missing link.

Muchos gracias
Eleanor and Al
Canada

 

[naplesdon]

I can only add this small warning to your post. Don't ever try to do this from Portugal. Impossible does not describe their system.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Our Camino Parcel Saga





Pamplona May 02 2024





We had just walked across the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port, France. Our plan was to walk 800km along the Camino de Santiago. As it would happen I picked up an intestinal bug which slowed us down at Pamplona. We realized some changes were needed.





One, was lighten our backpacks and two, send our main packs by “donkey carrier, actually, “Jaco Transport”, each day but only if we had a forwarding reservation. First we decided what we would mail home, then head across the Plaza to the Pamplona/Iruna Correos office. I found this with the help of a local policeman who led me around the corner of the same building. Here the clerk packaged our baggage and presented a receipt a tracking number. We got so much help along the way, even though the language issue wasn’t difficult, help became a most grateful component from the moment we landed at Charles de Gaul at Paris. So we stepped up to the postal counter, provided passports and shipping details. Here we made a fatal mistake by not thinking clearly how our package would be retrieved at home in Canada. We assumed the parcel would be waiting for us when we got there. Wrong again.





On with our Camino enjoying the trip of a lifetime as noted to Ivar on his Camino Forum. Other details of our trip will have to wait for another episode.





Seven weeks later we arrived home, precisely June 13, to check the mailbox. Yes, there was the post office notice of a waiting parcel. So straight off to the local sub-office. “Sorry folks, your parcel was shipped back to Spain.” We had missed our 15 day, retrieval window. Having lived at the same address for 45 years I could not believe this could happen. Dam, so we immediately went to our main post office and find out more from the Postmaster. After relaying the full story with all the very sympathetic staff listening, he said we would get it back from Spain.


So I waited weeks before checking with Canada Post using their tracking site to learn more. After discovering to use the word ”Agent,” I got past a robot to someone who could help.





Canada Post agents were always helpful so I left this in their capable hands.





So I moved on to try other options. I set up an account with Correos. After many attempts to achieve a connection using their robot, email, and telephone, where language was a constant problem, I went back to our Sechelt Postmaster. He suggested I try the Canada Post Ombudsman as a last resort. But first I sent a letter to Correos at Pamplona which returned weeks later unopened!!!


Frustrated further, I contacted the North Vancouver office of the Spanish Consul, and even got a speedy reply from Canada World Affairs at Barcelona. No real help but a long list of Spanish lawyers to contact.





So back to Canada Post who again consented to checking with Correos and the response was everything now had to handled by Correos. I lodged a complaint on the Correos web and was presented with a tracking number. Finally, I received a public relations reply that my parcel had been returned to Pamplona. I learned this three months previous.





As I mentioned, I subscribe to Ivars Camino Forum and scan it regularly for items of interest. Recently I spotted a couple of Correos email addresses. Thinking I might get lucky, I fired off an email exposing my plight. Well, would you believe one responded immediately. Now full details were in someone’s hands at Correos. Next day a very kind unnamed person emailed me to requesting I forward my correct address with MTCN (money transfer control number). After learning how to send a Western Union payment to a Director at Correos, Pamplona. Our parcel is now enroute home, a second time….. with our clothing just in time for winter !





Some valuable lessons have been learned, the first being don’t give up.


So many thanks to all who helped us retrieve our parcel and a special thank you to Correos who store our parcel safe while waiting for us to contact them. And kudos to Ivar and his Camino Forum for providing the missing link.





Muchos gracias





Eleanor and Al


Canada

Hola, a beautiful story that has (we hope) finally had or having a happy ending. If nothing else your persistence has definitely paid off. One small suggestion, when I had to send a parcel back to Australia and knowing that I would be away for another 4 or 5 weeks I send the parcel to my mother's home address. It was waiting for me when I arrived. So maybe that might be an answer - either send to a close relative or have someone with authority checking your maid. Cheers for now!!

 

[t2andreo]

The best process I have found is to ship things, via Correos, to Ivar at Santiago. Retrieve it from him on arrival. that way, everything crosses the ocean with you - as carried on or checked baggage.

This was a learning lesson for all of us who read it. Thank you for sharing with us.

Tom

 

[Paul-CH]

Oh dear, someone was very unlucky.
What exactly was the reason why the Canadian postal service sent your parcel back to Pamplona? I think that's where the mistake lies.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Oh dear, someone was very unlucky.
What exactly was the reason why the Canadian postal service sent your parcel back to Pamplona? I think that's where the mistake lies.

We had missed our 15 day, retrieval window.

Canada Post will not hold packages for more than 15 days.

According to Google Swiss post is the same.

 

[Paul-CH]

Thanks. Swiss Post says:
As a rule, packages can be delivered within 7 days resp. 15 days for foreign shipments. The deadline may be extended.

 

[pelerine]

Canada Post will not hold packages for more than 15 days.

According to Google Swiss post is the same.

French is the same…

 

[LouLou]

The best process I have found is to ship things, via Correos, to Ivar at Santiago. Retrieve it from him on arrival. that way, everything crosses the ocean with you - as carried on or checked baggage.

This was a learning lesson for all of us who read it. Thank you for sharing with us.

Tom

Absolutely agree with this strategy!

 

[Robo]

I think the Post Offices in most countries have a similar policy.
Here in Australia for example, if no one is at home, they leave a card, telling you it's awaiting collection at the Post Office. And it will be held for x days before being returned to sender. Sadly Post Offices are not long term storage facilities.

I found a great tip on this Forum though.

The issue I had last year, was sending a 'resupply' box to a midway point of my Camino.
It had meds, a new pair of socks and a few other things.

But Correos would only hold the box for 15 days (long story, as it depends on the type of parcel service you use). I only found out after I had posted it, that it would be 15 days and not the 30 days I expected. I was not going to make the midpoint in 15 days.........

But all was not lost!

Because the 'tip', was to use Correos Santiago as the return address.
And sure enough, when I got there 50 or so days later, my box was there.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Because the 'tip', was to use Correos Santiago as the return address.
And sure enough, when I got there 50 or so days later, my box was there.

It's a useful tip for time frames over 15 days, but even there you would need to be careful. 50 days is a long time when they're only obliged to hold it for 15!

Assuming Correos follows similar protocols to the British, US ,Australian and New Zealand Postal Services ( which is a big assumption I know) at some point they will declare it an 'undeliverable' or 'dead item' that would then be sent to a Mail recovery centre or 'dead Letter Office' where it would be opened in attempt to identify either the intended recipient or the sender. Should they be unable to do so they will eventually either auction off or destroy the contents. Time frames for this seem to vary.

 

[VNwalking]

Aiyiyi, @Cowboy99. I'm glad it all worked out in the end. But what a process!

The best process I have found is to ship things, via Correos, to Ivar at Santiago. Retrieve it from him on arrival. that way, everything crosses the ocean with you - as carried on or checked baggage.

I've done this too. So much simpler.
And you get to say hello to Ivar, if you're lucky.

 

[Vacajoe]

Or one can try to pack less, removing the necessity to ship everything back home! It’s not only bad for the pocket back, but also not so great for the environment. If each pilgrim spent a few days actually walking with their fully packed bag prior to leaving, so much of this waste would be eliminated.

 

[RobinGore]

Our Camino Parcel Saga

Pamplona May 02 2024

We had just walked across the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port, France. Our plan was to walk 800km along the Camino de Santiago. As it would happen I picked up an intestinal bug which slowed us down at Pamplona. We realized some changes were needed.

One, was lighten our backpacks and two, send our main packs by “donkey carrier, actually, “Jaco Transport”, each day but only if we had a forwarding reservation. First we decided what we would mail home, then head across the Plaza to the Pamplona/Iruna Correos office. I found this with the help of a local policeman who led me around the corner of the same building. Here the clerk packaged our baggage and presented a receipt a tracking number. We got so much help along the way, even though the language issue wasn’t difficult, help became a most grateful component from the moment we landed at Charles de Gaul at Paris. So we stepped up to the postal counter, provided passports and shipping details. Here we made a fatal mistake by not thinking clearly how our package would be retrieved at home in Canada. We assumed the parcel would be waiting for us when we got there. Wrong again.

On with our Camino enjoying the trip of a lifetime as noted to Ivar on his Camino Forum. Other details of our trip will have to wait for another episode.

Seven weeks later we arrived home, precisely June 13, to check the mailbox. Yes, there was the post office notice of a waiting parcel. So straight off to the local sub-office. “Sorry folks, your parcel was shipped back to Spain.” We had missed our 15 day, retrieval window. Having lived at the same address for 45 years I could not believe this could happen. Dam, so we immediately went to our main post office and find out more from the Postmaster. After relaying the full story with all the very sympathetic staff listening, he said we would get it back from Spain.

So I waited weeks before checking with Canada Post using their tracking site to learn more. After discovering to use the word ”Agent,” I got past a robot to someone who could help.

Canada Post agents were always helpful so I left this in their capable hands.

So I moved on to try other options. I set up an account with Correos. After many attempts to achieve a connection using their robot, email, and telephone, where language was a constant problem, I went back to our Sechelt Postmaster. He suggested I try the Canada Post Ombudsman as a last resort. But first I sent a letter to Correos at Pamplona which returned weeks later unopened!!!

Frustrated further, I contacted the North Vancouver office of the Spanish Consul, and even got a speedy reply from Canada World Affairs at Barcelona. No real help but a long list of Spanish lawyers to contact.

So back to Canada Post who again consented to checking with Correos and the response was everything now had to handled by Correos. I lodged a complaint on the Correos web and was presented with a tracking number. Finally, I received a public relations reply that my parcel had been returned to Pamplona. I learned this three months previous.

As I mentioned, I subscribe to Ivars Camino Forum and scan it regularly for items of interest. Recently I spotted a couple of Correos email addresses. Thinking I might get lucky, I fired off an email exposing my plight. Well, would you believe one responded immediately. Now full details were in someone’s hands at Correos. Next day a very kind unnamed person emailed me to requesting I forward my correct address with MTCN (money transfer control number). After learning how to send a Western Union payment to a Director at Correos, Pamplona. Our parcel is now enroute home, a second time….. with our clothing just in time for winter !

Some valuable lessons have been learned, the first being don’t give up.

So many thanks to all who helped us retrieve our parcel and a special thank you to Correos who store our parcel safe while waiting for us to contact them. And kudos to Ivar and his Camino Forum for providing the missing link.

Muchos gracias
Eleanor and Al
Canada

wow - what a story!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

What a saga!
I've always just shipped packages to Casa Ivar. It might end up costing a little more than Correos because of his storage fee, but I know if there are any issues where I'm not able to pick it up, I can contact him and arrange for it to be sent where needed.

Also, if you're flying internationally, it's likely less expensive to just take it home with you on the airplane then shipping it home.

 

[Flog]

Here we made a fatal mistake by not thinking clearly how our package would be retrieved at home in Canada. We assumed the parcel would be waiting for us when we got there. Wrong again.

As others have pointed out,
post offices, in whatever country will have a clear policy regarding the length of time they'll hold (read 'store') a package. One option would be to send it to a friend/relative/neighbour, after agreeing it with them.

 

[Robo]

It's a useful tip for time frames over 15 days, but even there you would need to be careful. 50 days is a long time when they're only obliged to hold it for 15!

Assuming Correos follows similar protocols to the British, US ,Australian and New Zealand Postal Services ( which is a big assumption I know) at some point they will declare it an 'undeliverable' or 'dead item' that would then be sent to a Mail recovery centre or 'dead Letter Office' where it would be opened in attempt to identify either the intended recipient or the sender. Should they be unable to do so they will eventually either auction off or destroy the contents. Time frames for this seem to vary.

Yes, you're right.
It was not the intention in this case to have it held for a long term.
It was merely as a backup, in case for some reason I could not pickup my mid point 'supply box'.

Which sadly happened. (through a screw up on my part)

The options for a return address would have been......

1. My home in Australia.
2. The post office in Sevilla where I started.
3. Casa Ivar.
4. or the Santiago Correos.

Only 3 or 4 would have made any sense in this case.