Column: Where is my package?

Lately, I've been having frequent problems with the mail in the Netherlands, and I'm not the only one. Packages don't arrive when promised, end up with "the neighbors" without anyone knowing who they're with, or are returned to the sender as "undeliverable." In other words: poorly functioning mail delivery isn't just for the Poste Italiane.

That doesn't change the fact that receiving mail and parcels (also) in Sardinia is a challenge, especially if you live outside of built-up areas. When we contacted the municipality shortly after purchasing our house, we were told that the postman (postman) does not come to the houses in agriculture (the countryside). We could pick up our mail and parcels at the post office.

No mail

Because we expected mail from the notary and possibly also from the municipality, we went to the office full of anticipation every week of our first stay. post office (post office) in the village. But no matter how many stacks of letters the clerk behind the counter went through, not a single envelope bore one of our names (which we'd written for her on a note). Meanwhile, the mailbox we'd installed at our house, despite our better judgment, was only overrun with wasps.

Share location

Things also went wrong with packages we ordered: they didn't arrive, neither at the house nor at the post office. Fortunately, our washing machine was delivered to our home by our own delivery service. delivery service (delivery service) from the electronics store in the nearby town. The fact that we don't have a house number (snc, senza numero civico), which was easily compensated by sharing our location via WhatsApp (and waving vigorously when we almost saw the truck take the wrong turn). To our delight, we received the notary's documents by email.

We've learned a lot about parcels. For example, we've discovered that, just like in the Netherlands, you can sometimes have your (online) order delivered by the relevant courier service to a store that serves as a pickup point. If you don't mind incorrect delivery time notifications, things go pretty smoothly. Your package usually arrives, and you get to chat with the shop assistant (good for your Italian and local integration).

If your package doesn't show up, you can still try your luck at a warehouse with a collection point operated by the relevant courier service. That's how my husband found our water filters and inflatable pool at two different warehouses, miles away.

Incidentally, one large international online store with its own delivery service does come to our house. Not at the specified time, and therefore precisely when we're not there, but if, like the delivery driver, you consider "throwing it over the fence" as "successful delivery," you have nothing to complain about.

Packages

Also with the parcel delivery by Poste Italiane Things are better now. Last time we ordered 3 packages and had them sent to the post office address (this is called fermoposta). Two packages have arrived. The third is 'in restituzione al mittente' (Return to sender). The address (the same as on the other two packages) is reportedly unknown or incorrect.

The post office employee can locate the package using the tracking code: it was in Sardinia, but it's now back at the distribution center in Bologna. We think the chances of them forwarding it from there to China are slim, so it's probably on the pile of packages-that-weren't-delivered-to-difficult-foreigners-who-insist-on-living-outside-the-village (our share of that is now about 60 euros).

We were given a phone number to call to let them know that this package should be delivered to our post office, but there was no answer. Alright, you can't have it all.

waste charges

So although we are making progress in the parcel area, after a year we are still waiting for the invoice from the Tassa sui Rifiuti (TARI), the annual municipal waste collection tax. We were told it would be sent to our address in the Netherlands.

Since we don't dare trust either the Italian or the Dutch post, we decide to go to the post office in person once more. Tax Office You can visit the municipal tax office. No appointment is necessary; you simply walk in (emailing is pointless), and if they're not currently on a course, you'll be helped immediately during official opening hours.

The municipal official recognizes us from last year and is happy to print out the assessment and accompanying invoice for us. A sign (signature) and off to the post office with your form, where you can pay your taxes immediately with a debit card. The fact that our house is located outside the built-up area is now an advantage, because we get a discount.

The garbage collection service does not come to us as standard and we have to send a message to the Service Ecocenter for the collection of our waste (waste). We can also compost ourselves (though we haven't really gotten around to it yet).

A few weeks later we arrive back home in the Netherlands. There we finally find the (now paid) tax assessment from the TARI on the doormat, with additional forms that you can use if you wish. rates (Instalments) you can pay. It just goes to show, even in Italy, they can't make things more fun, but they can make things easier. As long as the postal service cooperates.