Special Delivery - Royal Mail

mimi1234

So I ordered an item which was delivered today by Royal Mail.  It was slender enough to fit through the letterbox.  I knew it was possibly arriving today so was just going about doing stuff in the kitchen.  I saw the postman come up the stairs so rushed over to open the door.  He didn't knock.  He simply shoved it through the letter box and off he went.  I didn't have to sign for anything.

Is that how it works now?  I can sort of understand it with the pandemic but say for instance, 4 people were living in 1 house as housemates.   What if one of them picked the item up and buggered off with it?  Obviously, it would show via GPS that it had been delivered but how could one prove that it actually came?  Isn't it a bit cheeky to just shove it through and saunter off?  Also, I have just checked the tracking on RM, it's saying "in transit" and doesn't say anything about a delivery being made.   

Sorry if I am being a bit slow and that's how it works these days.  I just thought special delivery was more "hand to hand".  

soolin

mimi1234 said:

So I ordered an item which was delivered today by Royal Mail.  It was slender enough to fit through the letterbox.  I knew it was possibly arriving today so was just going about doing stuff in the kitchen.  I saw the postman come up the stairs so rushed over to open the door.  He didn't knock.  He simply shoved it through the letter box and off he went.  I didn't have to sign for anything.

Is that how it works now?  I can sort of understand it with the pandemic but say for instance, 4 people were living in 1 house as housemates.   What if one of them picked the item up and buggered off with it?  Obviously, it would show via GPS that it had been delivered but how could one prove that it actually came?  Isn't it a bit cheeky to just shove it through and saunter off?  Also, I have just checked the tracking on RM, it's saying "in transit" and doesn't say anything about a delivery being made.   

Sorry if I am being a bit slow and that's how it works these days.  I just thought special delivery was more "hand to hand".  

special delivery has not required the householders signature since March 2020 https://www.royalmail.com/business/shipping/uk-services/special-delivery-guaranteed

Please note

Due to the current coronavirus situation, we're no longer asking the recipient to sign for items delivered on or after Saturday 14 March 2020.

The recipient's name and confirmation of delivery can still be viewed at www.royalmail.com/track-your-item

However it should update to show delivery .

Incidentally there has never been a requirement to only hand to the addressee, handing it to any one at the address is sufficient, so in the case of multiple house sharers you would be reliant on the honesty of anyone who accepted the parcel. 

mimi1234

Thanks a lot. I didn't know that. But I do now. 

in_the_Cotswolds

We use a code XP1 for all parcels/letters requiring a signature.  I do the same although it depends on the person.  Strictly speaking we should put the item on the doorstep knock the door stand back and wait for someone to answer. However if it goes through the letter box I do the same.

Also the times have changed.  9am is now before 12 noon and 1pm is now before 4pm.

NBLondon

mimi1234 said:

Sorry if I am being a bit slow and that's how it works these days.  I just thought special delivery was more "hand to hand".  

It's always to the address not to the individual ; so if your housemate nicks it - that's not RM's problem.