Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
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By Boswell
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1563848
The saga continues....

Returned to village PO, clutching the Royal Mail letter regarding samples (see above) for a 3rd attempt.

The atmosphere was tense as he read the letter; smoke trickled from both ears. Very reluctantly it was accepted, postage paid, no apologies.

Success was short-lived.

An hour later I was called on an ex-directory tel. no. (wtf?) with the PO guy cackling with revenge. He had called whoever he calls and was advised the letter (Royal Mail Chairman's Office) wasn't acceptable - it was (a) out of date (2013) and (b) "the rules have changed. If he let it go it would have to be taken out and destroyed. Remember, the Post Office has nothing to do with Royal Mail"

So 15-All until Monday when I research further.

Blackstone just emailed. They contacted Royal Mail a couple of years ago and got this reply:

As long as the oil samples are under a litre in volume and well packaged and placed in a leak-proof liner such as a sealed polythene bag, surrounded with absorbent material such as newspaper and sufficient cushioning material to protect each item from damage, that is all that is required. (Should the samples be in glass bottles, the package should also be marked as 'fragile'.) Your UK customers should also have a sender's address in the UK clearly visible on the outer packaging. More information and advice can be found on the Royal Mail website at the following link: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help- ... -packaging

I complied with the conditions in that link for my 3rd attempt.

The US destination isn't part of the equation - same for the UK, according to the Dangerous Good dept. of Royal Mail - all engine oil now classified as environmental waste ('phoned this morning) and won't be accepted.
#1564057
cockney steve wrote:yes, ....you've still got to get it to them!....unless you live handily close to a laboratory.


And most other couriers will deliver said items within the UK.

How else do you think all these UK companies receive oil samples to stay in business, you really think there is a queue of customers waiting at their front door everyday ?
#1564091
Lockhaven wrote:
cockney steve wrote:yes, ....you've still got to get it to them!....unless you live handily close to a laboratory.


And most other couriers will deliver said items within the UK.

How else do you think all these UK companies receive oil samples to stay in business, you really think there is a queue of customers waiting at their front door everyday ?

Most couriers will move oil, paint stripper, thinners, even acid, I know because all these items have been bought online and delivered to me.
By cockney steve
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1564395
^^^^ but at what cost???
Herpes smashed a £600 headlamp,- guess what! insurance wouldn't pay out on glass, or indeed, anything remotely breakable. totally worthless.
I avoid Hermes if at all possible.

Have had deliveries of NiCad sub-c battery cells from China....batch of 20 cells ,just under £25 clearly marked on Customs Declaration....
"Electronic parts value 5 US $ "
Not complaining, UK price ~ £5.00 per cell.

Letter post is very expensive, parcel post (small, Royal Mail)
tends to be pretty reasonable. Parcelfarce, yer pays yer money and takes yer chances.
User avatar
By Boswell
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1564529
Why not just have the oil analysed in the UK there are dozens of companies doing it, or am I missing something.

Cost, but open to suggestions.

Perhaps I am being thick, but why would you want to get engine oil analysed on a regular basis? I have never come across this before in 37 years of aircraft owning.

Preventive maintenance? Pre-buy inspections? How badly has corrosion affected an engine which has been inactive? Whether an engine is wearing well, and not developing problems? Planning for future repairs?

Some reports, on various engines:
https://goo.gl/CXjVfR
https://goo.gl/5DwyLN
https://goo.gl/ySvwL6
https://goo.gl/zwHfBk

(page size can be enlarged by clicking +sign top left)

More info: https://goo.gl/GCPUDk