Harold Ramsden, of Belgrave Road, Oldham, was told by the Royal Mail that they had a parcel for him — and it needed paying for.
Thinking it was from his son in Spain, the 76-year-old went to the Hamilton Street post office and paid the £1.15 needed in postage without a second thought.
However, to Mr Ramsden’s horror, he then discovered the package wasn’t from his son at all — but was in fact an election propaganda leaflet from Alexandra ward Conservative candidate Kamran Ghafoor — and a day after last Thursday’s local elections.
He said: “It’s scandalous. The postage was 15 pence underpaid and I then had to pay another pound on top for the handling charge.
“It wasn’t even in my name, just addressed to ‘The Resident’ at my property.
“I tried calling a few numbers on the leaflet but I was just ignored.
“It’s not a lot of money but it’s the principle of the matter.
“And after all that, I’ve not even had a call back, never mind an apology.”
To make matters worse, Mr Ramsden has always voted Labour.
“I would rather lose an arm or a leg than vote Conservative,” he added.
Mr Ghafoor said a mix-up over the recently changed postage pricing was to blame.
He said: “I’ve told everyone who has got one of the letters that I am willing to reimburse the cost.
“We didn’t realise the postage had changed due to the size of the envelope, rather than the weight.
“Not a lot of the leaflets were posted — maybe up to 15 — but I’ve told the Royal Mail I would come and get the remaining ones back.
“It is a shame this has happened but my sincerest apologies go to all affected, we didn’t want this to happen.”
lAnyone wanting to be reimbursed should call 07894-208 888.
