Don't guess this Christmas, remember to correctly address!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
A 20 litre portable shower, gazebo, tent, binoculars and a sleeping bag are just some of the hundreds of items to be auctioned for charity over the next month in Australia Post's unclaimed mail auctions.
Over the years unclaimed mail items have included wedding dresses, microwaves, bongo drums, plasma televisions, and kitchen sinks.
As well as raising money for The Cancer Council, the unclaimed mail auction is a reminder for people to correctly address their cards and parcels this Christmas, so their mail does not suffer the same fate.
"Around three million mail items are received at Australia Post Mail Redistribution Centres across the country each year because the sender has used the incorrect address and forgotten to include a return address on the back of the envelope or parcel," explained Australia Post spokesperson, Sarah Gordon.
"That number increases significantly at Christmas time, especially as people purchase more items online, with Australia Post delivering an extra 70,000 parcels every day in December, compared to the rest of the year.
Ms Gordon says it was a shame some people might never receive the Christmas wishes they were sent because of simple addressing mistakes.
"It's important to include a postcode because many suburb names are duplicated around the country. For example, there are around five Richmonds around Australia, one in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. Without the postcode and state in the address, it's difficult to know which one you mean."
Ms Gordon said that the golden rule for posting letters or parcels is to always put your own name and address on the back. "That way, if for some reason we can't locate the recipient or the address is incorrect, we can get the item back to you."
Reassuringly, when mail does arrive at the Mail Redistribution Centre, it's not the end of the story, with approximately 50 per cent of the mail at the centre reunited with the sender or intended recipient.
"Staff at the Mail Redistribution Centre have special authority to open mail that arrives there. If they find a name or address inside the item, they attempt to reunite the item with the sender or recipient," said Ms Gordon.
"If a return address cannot be found after this investigation, items are catalogued and kept for up to 12 months. They are only auctioned for charity if not claimed during this time, so it really is a last resort."
Auction details
New South Wales: Combined Auctions, 34-38 McEvoy Street, Waterloo, Friday 26 November, from 10.30am.
Queensland: Public Trustees Auction, 1/35 Burdett St, Albion, Monday 13 December, from 10am.
Tasmania: Gowans Auctions, 37 Main Road, Moonah, Friday 3 December, from 10am.
Victoria: Abbey's Auctions, 480 - 482A Station Street, Box Hill, Sunday 21 November, from 10.30am.
Western Australia: Ross' Auctions, 241 Railway Parade Maylands, Saturday 27 November, from 9.30am.