An avid gamer has been left fuming after his parcel containing his £270 Nintendo Switch was left in the rain.
Tom Newborn had been looking forward to returning home from work to use his new console and game he had pre-ordered for months.
He was shocked to find the package completely soaked through.
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After picking up the soggy cardboard box, he noticed a split on the side where he could see the box inside was also damaged.
Tom had forked out for a brand new limited edition Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch, ordering it to arrive on release day.
The 29-year-old claims the console is water-damaged and he has been unable to use it.
But Redditch, Worcestershire, where he lives, had been hit with a severe weather warning of heavy rain and potential floods.
With this in mind, Tom was expecting to find his parcel at a neighbour’s house or back at the sorting office.
However, the delivery slip from the Royal Mail had been ticked as leaving it in the customer-specified safe space.
This was behind his bin, however he claims he had not chosen this spot for it to be left.
According to Tom, the spot the parcel was left does not comply with Royal Mail safe space standards as they ‘must be secure and dry’.
The parcel was delivered last Friday (27 Sept), with the console being damaged by rain and the actual game missing from the delivery.
The gamer has since complained to the Royal Mail but is yet to receive a reply.
The digital marketing manager told What’s The Jam: “I collect and play video games.
“So as a huge Legend of Zelda fan, I pre ordered the bundle and I was really looking forward to playing the game when I got home from work.
“I was dreading going to collect the parcel when I saw the delivery note, the weather had been awful with local flood warnings due to heavy rainfall.
“When I picked up the soggy box I noticed a split on the side and I could see the items inside were also wet. My heart sank and I was very disappointed.
“To add to the disappointment there was no game inside the parcel, which I paid extra for.
“Delivery drivers are put under a lot of stress and mistakes happen.
“I use Royal Mail regularly and have no troubles with their service but on this occasion I felt I was massively let down by a poor lack of judgement.
“Whenever I’ve not been home my parcels have been left with a neighbour or taken to the local sorting office.
“So I was confused to find it soggy in the rain especially when it had a battery sticker on the box, and the item was of such a high value.
“I’ve filled in a damaged and missing items form with Nintendo and a week later, I still haven’t had a response from them, despite calling.
“The whole ordeal so far has been a nightmare and I’m out of pocket over £270.
“I pre-ordered the game to play on day one and a week on. I still have no game and no replacement console.
“I feel like I should have a full refund on my order from Royal Mail for the way the parcel was left and Nintendo should send a replacement.
“I’m astounded at the lack of urgency from Nintendo to put this right.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Delivering items safely and securely is one of our top priorities.
“We have received the customer’s complaint and will be engaging with them directly on the outcome of our investigation.”
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