Royal Mail delivery times

soolin

Last week I opted to move some of my parcel sized items to show eBay- packlink rather than RM 2nd class as that gives me options to use a courier OR RM depending on what looked like it was still managing.  I’ve decided, looking at what post is getting through both outward and inward, to move the majority of my parcels to MyHermes this week , including a couple of bits of pottery/China that I know won’t be covered for damage, but are worth the risk. There is also the benefit that at least buyers can see item was sent, and may stop the few buyers who are emailing saying my tracking number isn’t valid as it just says ‘information will be updated when item is delivered’. 

olgadapolga

soolin said:

Last week I opted to move some of my parcel sized items to show eBay- packlink rather than RM 2nd class as that gives me options to use a courier OR RM depending on what looked like it was still managing.  I’ve decided, looking at what post is getting through both outward and inward, to move the majority of my parcels to MyHermes this week , including a couple of bits of pottery/China that I know won’t be covered for damage, but are worth the risk. There is also the benefit that at least buyers can see item was sent, and may stop the few buyers who are emailing saying my tracking number isn’t valid as it just says ‘information will be updated when item is delivered’. 

I stopped using RM several weeks ago as the service just isn't reliable enough for eBay items at the moment. Virtually every item I had sent via RM the week before I made the decision to stop using them had not reached their destinations (apparently, although one buyer was asking where his item was far too quickly and opened a case as soon as he could).

Hermes are occasionally slower than they should be (but most parcels are delivered within 48 hours) and two parcels have disappeared (one never left the parcel shop and the other was stolen from a doorstep where it was left by the driver) but Hermes have paid out the full sale price for these. Contacting them is a nightmare and requires a lot of patience though.

I cannot understand why RM are "unable" to meet their service standards. Or don't they want to? We are down to one delivery of post a week now. The last delivery was some medication for my son, the postman was seen crossing our drive, my husband went to the door and a "something for you" card was put through the letterbox. The postman didn't knock or ring the doorbell and by the time DH had put his shoes on, the postman had disappeared. So then I had to make the choice of either going to collect it or booking a redelivery several days later. The parcel was already late as we expected it a couple of days previously.

RM really are a shambles at the moment.

charlies_mum

Latest item not received, she’s had to order from amazon and it came the next day.    This is seriously going to affect eBay.   

[Deleted User]

I have loads of tracking numbers that have no delivery updates when I check, so not sure if they have been lost, or have been delivered and just not had a scan by the postman. All eBay stuff I’m selling from stuff around the house I’m getting rid of but no buyer has messaged yet. 

soolin

charlies_mum said:

Latest item not received, she’s had to order from amazon and it came the next day.    This is seriously going to affect eBay.   

I haven't had one of those messages yet, but looking at other forums that seems to be a common one, people comparing Amazon Prime items with ebay sellers . My common theme this time is 'I have waited 4 days for this and according to your tracking you haven't even posted it yet' - , I don't think people understand what the delivery confirmation reference is- and I don't think either RM or ebay help by referring to it as a tracking number.

I actually get a feeling of dread now when I get a little pop up message alert saying 'you have a new message from an ebay member' .

custardy

olgadapolga said:

soolin said:

Last week I opted to move some of my parcel sized items to show eBay- packlink rather than RM 2nd class as that gives me options to use a courier OR RM depending on what looked like it was still managing.  I’ve decided, looking at what post is getting through both outward and inward, to move the majority of my parcels to MyHermes this week , including a couple of bits of pottery/China that I know won’t be covered for damage, but are worth the risk. There is also the benefit that at least buyers can see item was sent, and may stop the few buyers who are emailing saying my tracking number isn’t valid as it just says ‘information will be updated when item is delivered’. 

I stopped using RM several weeks ago as the service just isn't reliable enough for eBay items at the moment. Virtually every item I had sent via RM the week before I made the decision to stop using them had not reached their destinations (apparently, although one buyer was asking where his item was far too quickly and opened a case as soon as he could).

Hermes are occasionally slower than they should be (but most parcels are delivered within 48 hours) and two parcels have disappeared (one never left the parcel shop and the other was stolen from a doorstep where it was left by the driver) but Hermes have paid out the full sale price for these. Contacting them is a nightmare and requires a lot of patience though.

I cannot understand why RM are "unable" to meet their service standards. Or don't they want to? We are down to one delivery of post a week now. The last delivery was some medication for my son, the postman was seen crossing our drive, my husband went to the door and a "something for you" card was put through the letterbox. The postman didn't knock or ring the doorbell and by the time DH had put his shoes on, the postman had disappeared. So then I had to make the choice of either going to collect it or booking a redelivery several days later. The parcel was already late as we expected it a couple of days previously.

RM really are a shambles at the moment.

Ive posted a few times on this. RM are simply balancing doing 'enough' whilst saving an absolute fortune on daily spend.
Covids timing has been fortuitous for them with other factors in the business.

soolin

I'll put this up as a separate thread as well but as usual I always check ebay packlink prices against buying direct from the courier and noticed there appears to be a special offer that I must have missed. It says half price couriers, but in fact it is not quite half price but my 1-2 KG parcels are going at £2.10 and my up to 1kg parcel at £1.45 .

charlies_mum

Another INR case opened.   Posted on 4th, and wants a replacement.    As he’s opened a case, all I can do is refund.   I’m debating whether to close completely until the New Year.   

As the majority of my sales are letters and large letters, I’m stuck with Royal Mail.  

soolin

charlies_mum said:

Another INR case opened.   Posted on 4th, and wants a replacement.    As he’s opened a case, all I can do is refund.   I’m debating whether to close completely until the New Year.   

As the majority of my sales are letters and large letters, I’m stuck with Royal Mail.  

If insurance isn't a problem then MyHermes are doing a postable up to 1kg large letter for £1.22 via ebay packlink  

charlies_mum

Thanks Soolin, I’ll still have a problem with letters, so I think I’ll change to first class and see how that goes.