Over Christmas in India I bought a ridiculous little present for my brother in the USA. A model ship's telegraph for about €10. Verified with his wife that he would like such a thing
Tried to send it from my local little post shop. Went there, bought a official box we filled in custom card together. Paid €17. I always make post shops verify everything is correct because Deutsche Post likes nothing better than return to sender.
Didn't work. Returned after a few weeks. Customs declaration wrong. Had to fill in an online form. Thought well with Trump's tariffs things are more difficult. Back to post shop. Verify all setup right.
Returned again. This time went to real post office. They told me the correct price was 23. No I can't pay the difference, must pay the full €23, and get a refund from the original shop.
So return to shop. Tell them his birthday was March, I just want to cancel sending and get a refund. He tells me to go to proper post office. I told him I did. They said his shop must do the refund. He told me to ask for a refund online.
Told him no. I'm not playing this game of table tennis. They had failed twice, I wanted a refund. He gave me the €17 in fury and banned me from the shop. Which is a problem because I'm a dope smoker and it's the closest tobacco shop :(
But what's the deal. Who is right? Did I screw a small business or is he an asshole?