# Can someone direct me to the postal code dealing with items received but not ordered? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 29, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018 "2009-09-29T18:40:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/1 "2009-09-29T18:40:12Z")
I received a package that I did not order. The shop has asked me to ship it back - which I’m willing to do - but not at \*my \*expense. To cut to the chase: my understanding is, if I didn’t order it I don’t have any obligations. I would like to see the postal code pertaining to this. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/2 "2009-09-29T19:01:41Z")
I would just write “Wrong address - return to sender” on it and drop it off at the post office. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/3 "2009-09-29T19:07:04Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > ,The shop has asked me to ship it back - which I’m willing to do - but not at \*my \*expense… Tell them to send you a pre-paid mailing label? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/4 "2009-09-29T19:08:58Z")
I have always heard that legally you don’t have to send it back. But the law may have changed. Is this a store that you ordered stuff from in the past? ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/5 "2009-09-29T19:13:55Z")
> [@](#): > > (b) Any merchandise mailed in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or within the exceptions contained therein, may be treated as a gift by the recipient, who shall have the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender. All such merchandise shall have attached to it a clear and conspicuous statement informing the recipient that he may treat the merchandise as a gift to him and has the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender. [39 U.S. Code § 3009 - Mailing of unordered merchandise | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/39/3009.shtml) and see, eg : [http://www.ag.state.nd.us/cpat/pdffiles/unordered.pdf](http://www.ag.state.nd.us/cpat/pdffiles/unordered.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/6 "2009-09-29T19:19:36Z")
In the U.K., this is covered by the Unsolicited Goods & Services Act. The rule in the U.K. is that it’s actually an offence to send unsolicited goods. [Cite](http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=50&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1366984&ActiveTextDocId=1366984&filesize=38108). Further, on receipt, the goods are now yours free and clear - [cite](http://www.oliverfisher.co.uk/cms/catsection/unsolicited_goods_and_other_scams.html) - if they’re sent to a home address; a business is [slightly diferent](http://www.colemans-ctts.co.uk/Personal/Articles/Commercial_Litigation/Unsolicited_Goods.aspx). ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/7 "2009-09-29T19:41:44Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I received a package that I did not order. The shop has asked me to ship it back - which I’m willing to do - but not at \*my \*expense. To cut to the chase: my understanding is, if I didn’t order it I don’t have any obligations. I would like to see the postal code pertaining to this. Under common law, you were never under obligation to pay to return something you didn’t order. However, if you used it, you could be charged for it. This allowed various record clubs to make a bundle sending unsolicited records to people, then bill them unless they returned them unused. My father understood then, and when CBS Record Club started sending him records, he simply stored them. When they finally threatened to sue him if he didn’t pay for them, he turned around and billed them for storage. In the end, the CBS Record Club said it was their mistake, and he could keep the records for free. However, in the 1960s, a federal law changed the common law. That law stated that if an unsolicited item was sent through the mails, the recipient was free to keep it. I don’t know if this applies to orders sent to the wrong recipient or just orders that were never solicited. Getting back to your problem, you definitely don’t have to pay shipping to have it sent back. If you didn’t order it, and you’re willing to send it back, you can ask for the original shipper to pay for its return. They made the mistake, they have to pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/8 "2009-09-29T20:00:52Z")
[Here](http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro15.shtm), this seems to be the link I wanted. Actually, apparently I needed the Federal Trade Commission, and not the Postal Codes. > [@](#): > > **Q. Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered?** > A. No. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift. > **Q. Must I notify the seller if I keep unordered merchandise without paying for it?** > A. You have no legal obligation to notify the seller. However, it is a good idea to write a letter to the company stating that you didn’t order the item and, therefore, you have a legal right to keep it for free. This may discourage the seller from sending you bills or dunning notices, or it may help clear up an honest error. Send your letter by certified mail. Keep the return receipt and a copy of the letter for your records. You may need it later. > **Q. What should I do if the unordered merchandise I received was the result of an honest shipping error?** > A\*\*. \*\*Write the seller and offer to return the merchandise, provided the seller pays for postage and handling. Give the seller a specific and reasonable amount of time (say 30 days) to pick up the merchandise or arrange to have it returned at no expense to you. Tell the seller that you reserve the right to keep the merchandise or dispose of it after the specified time has passe ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/9 "2009-09-29T20:31:08Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > I received a package that I did not order. The shop has asked me to ship it back - which I’m willing to do - but not at \*my \*expense. To cut to the chase: my understanding is, if I didn’t order it I don’t have any obligations. I would like to see the postal code pertaining to this. Under common law, you were never under obligation to pay to return something you didn’t order. However, if you used it, you could be charged for it. This allowed various record clubs to make a bundle sending unsolicited records to people, then bill them unless they returned them unused. My father understood then, and when CBS Record Club started sending him records, he simply stored them. When they finally threatened to sue him if he didn’t pay for them, he turned around and billed them for storage. In the end, the CBS Record Club said it was their mistake, and he could keep the records for free. However, in the 1960s, a federal law changed the common law. That law stated that if an unsolicited item was sent through the mails, the recipient was free to keep it. I don’t know if this applies to orders sent to the wrong recipient or just orders that were never solicited. Getting back to your problem, you definitely don’t have to pay shipping to have it sent back. If you didn’t order it, and you’re willing to send it back, you can ask for the original shipper to pay for its return. They made the mistake, they have to pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-direct-me-to-the-postal-code-dealing-with-items-received-but-not-ordered/512018/10 "2009-09-30T00:30:31Z")
If the package and it’s attached items are unopened, all you have to do is write “refused” on it and put it into a drop box, give it to your carrier, or take it to the post office. This will only work if NOTHING has been opened.