Wednesday 13 May 2009

Does the team think ...
I do intend to post more frequently than weekly, or fortnightly, but have been up to my armpits in it recently.
So I'm posting today because I just have to ask your opinion of this.
Our 'stuff' has arrived at Perth from the US and we have heard from the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service — a wholly admirable organisation — that it has seized "two pairs of shoes" which it wants to be steam cleaned or destroyed.
We have no information about what shoes they are, or why they need steam-cleaning or destroying.
We are expected to send the money straightaway: $370 for steam cleaning! Or the similaely ludicrous sum of $55 to have them destroyed.
Don't you think this is an outrage?
How can it cost $370 to steam clean ANYTHING?
What can possibly be on two pairs of our shoes that needs such treatment? Why not a simple disinfectant bath? What if any of us had been wearing these shoes on a plane home — there is never any inspection of dirt on the soles of our footwear.
I have demanded more information.
I'm seeing red.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope it wasn't your fancy boots! (Is there no free option?)

Lesley said...

If it was my fancy boots I'm calling a lawyer: they haven't been worn outside the shop and my bedroom. They are pristine and perfect and they are M-I-N-E!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Do they actually go so thoroughly through all of your things that they can zero in on shoes?! Wow... this is weird stuff. I remember coming home form Hawaii when we thought our very happy-grubby, camping, bath skipping toddler might not get through the agriculture inspection!
Do keep us posted on this bit of lunacy.

Anonymous said...

Yes it is crazy but it is a gvot dept and be warned, we took too long to make up our minds about some items from Vietnam and were charged rent on the space the items were in while we deliberated!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I hope for customs sake it is NOT THE BOOTS!
Shelley

Anonymous said...

Yes it is crazy but it is a gvot dept and be warned, we took too long to make up our minds about some items from Vietnam and were charged rent on the space the items were in while we deliberated!!!!!!!!!
P.S. I hope for customs sake it is NOT THE BOOTS!
Shelley

Frogdancer said...

That's insane.

Laura Jane said...

Lordy! More information is definitely needed.

That's one hell of a drycleaning bill! If its the BOOTS, Id consider it, if its not them...then...you've managed this long without those 2 pairs, you can probably do without them (and pay $55 for the privilege)