Australia Post Apologizes For Losing Aboriginal Artist's Priceless Painting Worth $4,000
A Christmas gift meant to bring joy to a family has turned into a devastating story of loss and disappointment after Australia Post lost an Aboriginal artist's painting worth over $4,000. The artwork, a custom commission from a collector, was sent via express post with tracking but arrived as just an empty cardboard tube, sparking outrage and heartbreak.
Artist Bobbi Lockyer, who is Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul, and Yawuru, described the experience as "heartbreaking" and expressed anger at what she called a "cut and paste" response from Australia Post. She had been instructed on how to pack the painting by staff members before sending it.
Lockyer's customer was left feeling disappointed, especially since the artwork was meant as a Christmas gift for her family. The artist and the customer made complaints, but Australia Post initially closed the case, saying the painting wasn't packaged properly. However, Lockyer continued to fight, sending invoices to prove the painting's value and asking if there was a lost and found.
Despite Lockyer's efforts, she received "cut and paste" responses from Australia Post, who told her that compensation couldn't be offered at this time and that it was the sender's fault. The company has since apologized to the customer but continues to search for the painting, which is now considered lost.
An Australia Post spokesperson acknowledged that mistakes can happen in a large network like theirs, stating that they "work hard to handle every item with care and deliver them safely." However, their policies suggest that general services are suitable for sending items worth up to $100, and most of their services cover up to $100 compensation for loss or damage.
The incident has left Lockyer feeling frustrated and disappointed. She's been told that Australia Post wouldn't chase the route, but there is no evidence to support this claim. The artist has expressed her disappointment at not receiving a satisfactory response from the company, which she believes is failing to take responsibility for its mistake.
A Christmas gift meant to bring joy to a family has turned into a devastating story of loss and disappointment after Australia Post lost an Aboriginal artist's painting worth over $4,000. The artwork, a custom commission from a collector, was sent via express post with tracking but arrived as just an empty cardboard tube, sparking outrage and heartbreak.
Artist Bobbi Lockyer, who is Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul, and Yawuru, described the experience as "heartbreaking" and expressed anger at what she called a "cut and paste" response from Australia Post. She had been instructed on how to pack the painting by staff members before sending it.
Lockyer's customer was left feeling disappointed, especially since the artwork was meant as a Christmas gift for her family. The artist and the customer made complaints, but Australia Post initially closed the case, saying the painting wasn't packaged properly. However, Lockyer continued to fight, sending invoices to prove the painting's value and asking if there was a lost and found.
Despite Lockyer's efforts, she received "cut and paste" responses from Australia Post, who told her that compensation couldn't be offered at this time and that it was the sender's fault. The company has since apologized to the customer but continues to search for the painting, which is now considered lost.
An Australia Post spokesperson acknowledged that mistakes can happen in a large network like theirs, stating that they "work hard to handle every item with care and deliver them safely." However, their policies suggest that general services are suitable for sending items worth up to $100, and most of their services cover up to $100 compensation for loss or damage.
The incident has left Lockyer feeling frustrated and disappointed. She's been told that Australia Post wouldn't chase the route, but there is no evidence to support this claim. The artist has expressed her disappointment at not receiving a satisfactory response from the company, which she believes is failing to take responsibility for its mistake.
This is just ridiculous. Can't believe they'd send an empty tube and tell it's the sender's fault. I mean, come on! They had tracking and all that jazz, so you'd think they'd at least try harder to find the painting. And now it's "lost"? 
This is a huge mistake for Australia Post. It's not just about the money (although $4k is no joke), it's about customer service and taking responsibility for your mistakes. They should've listened to Bobbi Lockyer and taken her seriously from the start. Now they're just apologizing half-heartedly while still trying to shirk their responsibility. Not cool, Australia Post 
Australia Post really needs to step up their game! Losing an artwork worth that much money is just devastating 
. I feel so bad for Bobbi Lockyer, the Aboriginal artist who created it. She was so trusting of Australia Post and they ended up letting her down 
. I'm glad they've apologized to the customer, but compensation for the artist is long overdue 
. Australia Post needs to take responsibility and find that painting ASAP! 
. I've used their services before and never had any issues, so I'm not sure why they can't take responsibility for this one. The customer deserves some compensation for a Christmas gift that's now lost forever 
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losing an artwork worth over 4k is a huge deal, especially when it was sent via express post with tracking. and now the artist's feeling frustrated & disappointed - not even a satisfactory apology from them? 
... Australia Post is literally losing artwork worth like $4k and they're still trying to pawn it off on the sender? I mean what kind of layout is that?! The customer was told how to pack the painting by staff members, so it's not like it was some DIY disaster. And now Lockyer's getting these "cut and paste" responses from AP, which just makes me roll my eyes... I'd love to see a proper layout for handling fragile items with care