Royal Mail delivery times

charlies_mum

emmbrook said:

I asked for a late delivery defect to be removed yesterday - sent during the height of Christmas and Covid delays though without tracking. Computer says no - I received the standard make sure you post on time email. You’d think that there might be some flexibility at the moment, but no. Thankfully it’s the only one I have so it won’t affect me, but they can quickly mount up of course.

I managed to some removed as I was up at 3.3% defect rate and at risk of losing my Top rated status.   It might be worth a phone call 

charlies_mum

One of my INR buyers has contacted me to say that their item arrived today.  It was posted by first class on 6th January !

mimi1234

Sorry to barge in on this thread but I have a question.  I sold 2 items for just under £100 to 2 different buyers.  Stupidly I sent them both 2nd class signed for thinking I might risk it and hopefully it will get to the buyers. 

Both were sent on the same day at the same time (12/01/2021) at the same PO.  One has been delivered and the other one is still saying dispatched.  When I check on the RM website, it says "we will update once we try to deliver".  As it happens, the one that is still in the process of being delivered is to a buyer who has 0 feedback!

The buyer has not asked me or opened a claim but I am not sure what to do.  Do I message and ask if the item has arrived or do I just stay quiet for now?  If they are new to eBay, they may not know the process.  Or could it be that the item has been delivered but RM doesn't always show this?  Any ideas?

soolin

Never ever contact a buyer -NEVER. It might have been delivered it might not, the buyer will be inundated with ads from eBay explaining about the buyer guarantee so will open a case if they need to. They have plenty of time yet to open an INR. 

tek290

Hi, just to add another question on this thread. I’m expecting a parcel tomorrow with RM Tracked 48 and I have the option of delivery or collecting from my local delivery office.

I ideally need to have this parcel in the morning and logic seems to tell me that it’d arrive at the delivery office overnight and would then go out for delivery. 

There are no guarantees, but would my best bet to be to change delivery option such that I have to collect it?

soolin

tek290 said:

Hi, just to add another question on this thread. I’m expecting a parcel tomorrow with RM Tracked 48 and I have the option of delivery or collecting from my local delivery office.

I ideally need to have this parcel in the morning and logic seems to tell me that it’d arrive at the delivery office overnight and would then go out for delivery. 

There are no guarantees, but would my best bet to be to change delivery option such that I have to collect it?

Not necessarily, but hopefully custardy will see this and respond with the correct information. If I have things that end up in my mail centre it can add extra time to the delivery due to various parts of the RM operation being in slightly different buildings.Also, the opening times for the collection desk are very very limited in some areas- so you may struggle with that and will need to check your own area.

I also wouldn't necessarily be 100% sure item will arrive tomorrow anyway, we are still waiting on a tracked 48 that was technically  due yesterday , RM can no longer guarantee a lot of their non 'special' services, although it is getting better.
https://www.royalmail.com/business/shipping/uk-services/tracked-24-48

charlies_mum

We are getting parcels delivered at all times of day by a postie in a rental  van.    If you need it in the morning I would collect as it could come at any time

We have been contacted by a buyer in the Netherlands who has just received a parcel posted on 11th November !     With all the new customs regulations and charges, we have now switched off international post.    It’s just not worth the effort.  

soolin

charlies_mum said:

We are getting parcels delivered at all times of day by a postie in a rental  van.    If you need it in the morning I would collect as it could come at any time

We have been contacted by a buyer in the Netherlands who has just received a parcel posted on 11th November !     With all the new customs regulations and charges, we have now switched off international post.    It’s just not worth the effort.  

I switched off international a year or so ago now and don’t regret it at all. I sell a fair bit through GSP a on eBay and have actually had 2 items lost, one to the US and one to Italy and it was rather satisfying to just let eBay deal with it. 

mimi1234

Sent something signed for 2nd class to Ireland yesterday and it's already with the buyer.  I've had glowing feedback.  I'm surprised it got there this quickly.

custardy

tek290 said:

Hi, just to add another question on this thread. I’m expecting a parcel tomorrow with RM Tracked 48 and I have the option of delivery or collecting from my local delivery office.

I ideally need to have this parcel in the morning and logic seems to tell me that it’d arrive at the delivery office overnight and would then go out for delivery. 

There are no guarantees, but would my best bet to be to change delivery option such that I have to collect it?

Sorry Im too late on this. 
When you request an item held at the DO (system is called Inflight) its treated just like a parcel going to your house except when scanned 'ready for delivery' it flags up the item is left in the office.
So if you need it earlier then it is the quickest way to get it.
Caveats of course on reduced opening hours.