Does RM Airsure get a guaranteed "proof of delivery" at the other end?

confusedmummy

I sold something on ebay for quite a bit of money and buyer has asked me to send it to Finland (it was UK only auction but buyer asked me after auction finished). Obviously I want to do what is most convenient for them but I also want to protect myself from a non-receipt claim. I have heard that RM International Signed for only tracks within the UK so I am planning to send Airsure. What I want to know is does this guarantee proof of delivery/signature even once it has left the UK? Many thanks!

soolin

confusedmummy wrote: »

I sold something on ebay for quite a bit of money and buyer has asked me to send it to Finland (it was UK only auction but buyer asked me after auction finished). Obviously I want to do what is most convenient for them but I also want to protect myself from a non-receipt claim. I have heard that RM International Signed for only tracks within the UK so I am planning to send Airsure. What I want to know is does this guarantee proof of delivery/signature even once it has left the UK? Many thanks!

No it is not guaranteed.
http://www.royalmail.com/delivery/delivery-options-international/airsure/faqs#13300224

We track all Airsure® items until they leave the UK. The item is then handed over to the destination country's postal service as a priority item. In most circumstances you will also be able to get electronic confirmation of delivery via Track & Trace.

However, if you insure it for the correct Amount (there's an additional charge for this) at least you can reclaim if it gets lost.

Alternatively a courier may well be a better choice

melliott1963

More importantly, does Paypal say it's OK to send to the Finnish address? If it's only got the buyer's UK address, then Paypal won't cover you if anything happens.

hiccup123

confusedmummy wrote: »

I sold something on ebay for quite a bit of money and buyer has asked me to send it to Finland (it was UK only auction but buyer asked me after auction finished). Obviously I want to do what is most convenient for them but I also want to protect myself from a non-receipt claim. I have heard that RM International Signed for only tracks within the UK so I am planning to send Airsure. What I want to know is does this guarantee proof of delivery/signature even once it has left the UK? Many thanks!

i have used RM international signed for countries in europe, china and USA. the RM site will only track the item until it leaves the UK.
HOWEVER.....
after that the buyer can use the same tracking number to track on their countries postal service.

In the past i have used the USPS site to track items after they have left the UK to the US. The USPS site actually informs you when the item entered the US, when it entered the state it was sent to and when it was delivered, or if a delivery attempt was made and a card left.

Each country will be different but the tracking number will work on their postal service website because they still need to track it...theres a tracking number on it after all.

HTH.

porto_bello

I have a similar situation - I have to send a £45 item overseas to China...

I'm aware there is a difference between Airsure and International signed for... but I'm unsure what the specifics are.

Are they both insured & appropriate for this kind of amount?

Both trackable?

Both signed for?

Does it matter which?... If so, what's the difference?

Obviously I want the cheapest service without cutting corners.

I have asked at my local post office, but they always recommend the most expensive service (and try to forget to give change!) - I even recently saw a pensioner being recommended 'Special Delivery' for a Birthday card! Though they were on the ball and just laughed!

soolin

porto_bello wrote: »

I have a similar situation - I have to send a £45 item overseas to China...

I'm aware there is a difference between Airsure and International signed for... but I'm unsure what the specifics are.

Are they both insured & appropriate for this kind of amount?

Both trackable?

Both signed for?

Does it matter which?... If so, what's the difference?

Obviously I want the cheapest service without cutting corners.

I have asked at my local post office, but they always recommend the most expensive service (and try to forget to give change!) - I even recently saw a pensioner being recommended 'Special Delivery' for a Birthday card! Though they were on the ball and just laughed!

The link for airsure is above and the one for international signed for is here

http://www.royalmail.com/delivery/delivery-options-international/international-signed/faqs#Are%20all%20International%20Signed%20For

Neither are guaranteed for China

porto_bello

Thank you Soolin, as I read the website, Airsure isn't available for China but International Signed for is (though trackable only until it leaves UK) and will cost about £10.

soolin wrote: »

Neither are guaranteed for China

Does that mean if it's tracked to the point it leaves the UK, then gets lost, I'm covered for the loss or will RM inform me that they did their bit, and beyond that point it's tough luck?

soolin

porto_bello wrote: »

Thank you Soolin, as I read the website, Airsure isn't available for China but International Signed for is (though trackable only until it leaves UK) and will cost about £10.



Does that mean if it's tracked to the point it leaves the UK, then gets lost, I'm covered for the loss or will RM inform me that they did their bit, and beyond that point it's tough luck?

As with all mail if RM cannot be sure item has been delivered then they will usually refund. Standard airmail gives the same ability to claim but only up to £46, whereas with the enhanced services you can pay extra for more insurance cover

The enhanced services on their own do not automatically give you any more cover, so make sure you look at the additional insurance costs

techspec

They used to be about the same price - but ive noticed quite a gap appearing with airsure. Ive never had one go missing sent airsure - but not all tacked all the way.

Royal Mail recently refunded me for an International signed for that arrived with 3 of the 4 items missing.

KxMx

hiccup123 wrote: »

i have used RM international signed for countries in europe, china and USA. the RM site will only track the item until it leaves the UK.
HOWEVER.....
after that the buyer can use the same tracking number to track on their countries postal service.

In the past i have used the USPS site to track items after they have left the UK to the US. The USPS site actually informs you when the item entered the US, when it entered the state it was sent to and when it was delivered, or if a delivery attempt was made and a card left.

Each country will be different but the tracking number will work on their postal service website because they still need to track it...theres a tracking number on it after all.

HTH.

There are no guarantees with this, it is 100% dependent on the foreign post office staff bothering to track all the way.

I sent to the US in Ohio, and the USPS tracking stopped at NY, but I know it got there and was delivered because I asked the recipient.

Not worth the money in my experience and from what I can gather if you want tracking all the way then a proper courier is the way to go.

hiccup123

KxMx wrote: »

There are no guarantees with this, it is 100% dependent on the foreign post office staff bothering to track all the way.

I sent to the US in Ohio, and the USPS tracking stopped at NY, but I know it got there and was delivered because I asked the recipient.

Not worth the money in my experience and from what I can gather if you want tracking all the way then a proper courier is the way to go.

it's always worked for all the items i've sent to the US with tracking. I suppose it comes down to wether or not someone has bothered to input the tracking number as it goes through the system. so yeah i guess no guarantee that you can track it all the way. Same as recorded delivery here...not all the posties bother getting the item signed for...mine doen't