There's probably more to the story. Most people won't tell you everything they did wrong.

I left it with them for 2 months between extensions. All I got was a telling-off. That was a few years ago, though.

He could have sent someone with a Special Power of Attorney to pick up the passport and have it couriered to him. I thought a lot of travel agencies offer that as a paid service.

In my experience, if you don't pick up your passport on the arranged day and time, they warn you it shouldn't happen again. They treat it as much more serious than an overstay. No idea why, though.

I'd rather pay the express fee and keep my passport. I wouldn't want to leave it there or anywhere. What if it goes missing? What if it gets damaged?