Mobile Phones under £50 - Still send Special Delivery?

dhs87

As in the title, I ask this question because according to the oddly confused lady at the PO counter today, you have never been covered for sending a mobile phone through Royal Mail unless it was sent Special Delivery.

I always say what my items are, just in-case policies and such change (as they have recently) and was a bit miffed to hear this. None of the staff have ever mentioned this before.

So, even if the phone is only worth a fiver and it gets lost, it's not covered under 1st or 2nd class post, even if it is sent "Signed For". Must be bad to recycle by post.

To add to this, I have searched high and low on the Royal Mail site and cannot find any restriction on compensation for mobiles, only if they are sent internationally is cover restricted as far as I can tell.

So, was she talking a load of waffle or is there something to this?

custardy

Royal Mail Signed For™ items are covered against loss or damage up to the sum of £50 or the value of the item, whichever is lower. Compensation for valuables, such as money and jewellery is not available on this serivce. In the event of an item being delivered but where no signature is obtained, you can claim for a refund amounting to the difference between the 1st Class postage and the cost of Royal Mail Signed For™ 1st Class.

Valuables (money and jewellery) and tems of greater value should be sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed™ which is a tracked and secure service.

Looks to me like a sub £50 phone would be covered by Signed for?

Flyonthewall

There's nothing I can find to suggest that the phone wouldn't be covered by Signed For as far as Royal Mail goes. Only mention of mobile phones on their site are where it talks about the batteries for it.

However, going by various sites/forums it seems Special Delivery is the only way it is covered. Some also say no matter what, phones are only covered up to a certain amount and others say that mobile phones are not covered at all. One person sending a mobile internationally was not covered despite having added insurance. I'm assuming you're sending it within the UK though?

It seems the rules are rather unclear on mobiles and what the staff say varies between Post Offices, although it does seem most state it must be sent Special Delivery.

molerat

http://www.royalmail.com/business/help-and-support/Royal-Mails-retail-compensation-policy-for-loss

Quite clear to me, very few items excluded, maybe PO staff need educating. SD is only to provide a guaranteed signed for service to help protect against scammers.

dhs87

All very helpful, cheers!

martindow

If the phone is boxed and would be a medium parcel maybe it's worth using SD for much more reliable tracking. There is little difference in price - 6.30 signed for/ 6.95 SD (assuming it's under 500g)

Are phones often the target of scammers? If so reliable tracking would be worth paying for.