Royal Mail Special Delivery 1pm - latest despatch?

funn_omoly

Hey all - first post!
Just wondering what the latest despatch time is that I can get a parcel sent from the PO for a SpecialDelivery 1pm service? I finish work at 5pm and the nearest PO to me closes at 5.30pm - would that be cutting it too fine?
thanks in advance
Fn

martindow

I think POs have their own cut off times depending on when the driver is due to come to pick up the post. My local one is 4.45 I think but the crown PO in town is later.

I should phone your local PO or pop in to check. If you are cutting it fine and there is a queue you could find you are too late when you get to the counter...

pinkshoes

Ours get collected at 4.15pm as its a rural post office.

Your local PO will be able to tell you if you phone them.

funn_omoly

Hi thanks for the info - looks like ill have to pop into branch and ask as their central number just redirects people to the website!

soolin

Even my local Crown PO has a 4.15 cut off, but frankly they generally have a poor service anyway. I sent a signed for international from there a few weeks back at approx 3.30 and they warned me I had missed the cut off time and the posting date wouldn't show as the next day!

mrcol1000

According to Royal Mail's website it is an hour before closing or 4.30pm, whichever is earliest. But even that is just a rough guide.

There are plenty of couriers who let you drop parcels at early opening/ late night shops which would give you fully tracked and next day if you dropped it off early enough. Or even leave it in a parcel locker whenever it suits you. DPD/UPS are the ones I would recommend. Depending on weight it could be cheaper than Special Delivery

If you go to a courier comparison website like parcel2go.com you can see prices Just make sure it is insured and the item is covered.

custardy

A day late but its POC specific. They need time to have the items ready for presentation for the final RM collection.
so depends on the size of the POC and time of last collection.