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'Baffled' couple's prized belongings end up in op shop after postal error

A New Zealand couple are beside themselves after the contents of a large parcel they sent to their home address from overseas ended up for sale in an op shop.

Danni and Tyler Barnes, from Auckland, say a comedy of errors has led them to now trying to track down their prized possessions, including a sentimental wedding item the unwitting op shop sold for $40.

The couple's nightmare began when their airline lost their luggage as they visited the UK earlier this year for their second wedding in Danni's native country.

They were forced to buy new winter clothes for their trip, but when they were set to return to New Zealand, and with their luggage finally returned to them, their airline wouldn't allow for them to increase their baggage allowance to accomodate their newly purchased wardrobe.

They were instead forced to send a big box of their belongings, including several personal items from their wedding, back to New Zealand.

Danni and Tyler Barnes can't believe their personal possessions have ended up in an op shop. Source: Supplied
Danni and Tyler Barnes can't believe their personal possessions have ended up in an op shop. Source: Supplied

But after more than a week of waiting following their return to the country, it never showed up.

"We said we better start following this up now and New Zealand Post eventually came back to us," Danni recalled to Yahoo News Australia.

"They said it's been delivered, and we were like no it hasn't."

After a back-and-forth with New Zealand Post trying to work out where it was, the postal service sent them a photo of their delivered parcel as proof on June 14.

"It was very clearly not our door," she said.

After scouring the neighbourhood, they eventually found a unit with the same number as their's that matched the picture. Enquiring at the door, it became quickly apparent the sole occupant had received the parcel, but their misfortune didn't end there.

The photo the couple received indicating their parcel had been delivered. It turned out to be the wrong address. Source: Supplied
The photo the couple received indicating their parcel had been delivered. It turned out to be the wrong address. Source: Supplied

"I asked him so do you have it to which he replied: 'No I don't... I gave it to charity," Tyler told Yahoo.

"I was dumbstruck, I didn't know what to say."

The man apologised and said the box appeared on his doorstep and he had taken the contents to his local op shop, but he was unable to say which one.

Couple finally make breakthrough with op shop discovery

The couple accepted the man meant no harm and frantically went on a hunt of local op shops before finally coming across St Margarets Presbyterian Church Op Shop in the suburb of Belmont.

"I looked around and I saw one of my dresses hung up," Danni recalled. "I looked more and I found one of my scarfs, and then I saw a bag with a picture of us on it from our wedding."

She rushed to the shop assistant to ask if she'd seen any of her other items, and while she could not recall a host of items, she told Danni she'd sadly sold her "beautiful" wedding handbag for $40 on the weekend.

The bag and guest book that have gone missing. Source: Supplied
The bag and guest book that have gone missing. Source: Supplied

The couple are now desperately trying to track down their belongings following the ordeal which they described as a "baffling series of events".

They say New Zealand Post has asked for proof of value of the contents, and while it contained several Kathmandu jackets purchased for several hundred dollars, Tyler said "you can't put a price on" their sentimental wedding items, which include a guest book of photos from their big day.

"We just really want our wedding stuff back," Danni pleaded.

In desperation, she turned to social media, sharing their plight in several local Facebook groups and recording a plea on TikTok asking if anyone had seen their items in charity shops, for sale anywhere or even abandoned in the street.

The couple say they are overwhelmed with the messages of support and the efforts of the local community to help find their items.

"I just really want the person who has my bag to go 'oh s*** that's me, I've got it," Danni said, adding she'd refund the full amount they paid and compensate them too.

New Zealand Post told Yahoo News Australia on Friday it is investigating the matter further.

Anyone with information regarding their lost items can email the author of this story at tom.flanagan@yahooinc.com

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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