What are differences in tracking between Royal Mail Special Delivery and Signed For?

Legacy_user

Hi,

I am looking to send an item with Royal Mail and I want to know the differences between Special Delivery and Signed For.

When I send the item, I will want to know

1) if the item was accepted at the address
2) what was the signature used
3) was the item refused or was the item unable to be delivered e.g. no-one was in?
4) is the cost of postage visible to the recipient e.g. is there a sticker with the postage cost attached to the item.

I have sent items as 'Signed For' previously and looked at the tracking. Once, an item was delivered without a signature . On 2 occasions, the tracking showed the items to be still at the post office where I dropped them off (this was several days after I dropped them off), but they were definitely not there - and I was told by the Royal Mail to consider it as lost :sad:.

Would a Special Delivery guarantee a signature if the item is accepted and would it have better tracking over where the item is?

Can someone please explain the differences in available tracking information between Special Delivery and Signed For?

The differences in compensation level are not important with my items.

Thanks for your help

BykerSands

What's this got to do with DIY?

zax47

Signed For (was "Recorded") is just that - a record is made if/when it gets delivered. Not tracked at all, travels with normal mail (1st or 2nd class, depends what you choose) and no definite delivery time guarantee. Compensation for loss limited to £50 and many things excepted (money, vouchers, tickets, jewellery)

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/signed-for-1st-class

Special Delivery - tracked at every stage, travels separate to normal mail and guaranteed next-day delivery by 1pm. Variable compensation/insurance levels (min £50 cover included) if you pay more (up to £2500 cover). Costs more for optional 9am delivery and Saturday delivery.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/special-delivery

giraffe69

I wonder which of the above two replies OP will find more helpful?

wealdroam

Just to add to Zax47's post:

Signed for may well be delivered but a signature not obtained.

Thus if you need proof of delivery, then signed for is not the service to use.

Moneyunwise, you might find it useful to read the postage guide on the ebay board for greater detail.