Changes to compensation limited on RM signed for

soolin

Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class change to compensation. From 2 April 2024, Royal Mail is changing the level of compensation available on Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class. The maximum compensation available on these services will now be £20.

https://www.royalmail.com/termschanges#:~:text=Royal Mail Signed For 1st,will now be £20.

It does look as though RM24 and RM48 are being prioritised going forward with both services being available to buy at a PO counter. 

steviebabes

The only advantage of the Signed For service was the compensation level. If your item is worth more than £20 then just go for the  24/48H fully tracked service.

soolin

steviebabes said:

The only advantage of the Signed For service was the compensation level. If your item is worth more than £20 then just go for the  24/48H fully tracked service.

RM48 which I use quite a bit has £150 compensation so for me signed for served no purpose at all, as it was dearer than signed for.

My only issue ,which I will have a think about, is a new line, possibly not running for long but definitely after these new rules, standard letter size item but worth around £30 -£35 I may end up sending as RM48 large letter instead as there’s no RM48 option for letters. 

martindow

soolin said:

steviebabes said:

The only advantage of the Signed For service was the compensation level. If your item is worth more than £20 then just go for the  24/48H fully tracked service.

RM48 which I use quite a bit has £150 compensation so for me signed for served no purpose at all, as it was dearer than signed for.

My only issue ,which I will have a think about, is a new line, possibly not running for long but definitely after these new rules, standard letter size item but worth around £30 -£35 I may end up sending as RM48 large letter instead as there’s no RM48 option for letters. 

Unless you feel that this is something where there are likely to be false items not received claims, might it not be best to choose the cheapest letter service and accept the occasional loss?  The savings on postage could possibly more than cover any refunds.

soolin

martindow said:

soolin said:

steviebabes said:

The only advantage of the Signed For service was the compensation level. If your item is worth more than £20 then just go for the  24/48H fully tracked service.

RM48 which I use quite a bit has £150 compensation so for me signed for served no purpose at all, as it was dearer than signed for.

My only issue ,which I will have a think about, is a new line, possibly not running for long but definitely after these new rules, standard letter size item but worth around £30 -£35 I may end up sending as RM48 large letter instead as there’s no RM48 option for letters. 

Unless you feel that this is something where there are likely to be false items not received claims, might it not be best to choose the cheapest letter service and accept the occasional loss?  The savings on postage could possibly more than cover any refunds.

This particular item does attract 'chancers' and although I've had no issues on ebay- I have had a few  issues on specialist sites - also due to the cost I would prefer to pay extra. I wouldn't normally but this is going to be a short run and I might as well stay safer with it and make hay whilst the sun shines. 

My other issue is of course that as a business I can only claim back my item cost- so whilst I accept that the value is immaterial, in this instance, and really only this instance, I prefer to be able to protect myself against a spurious INR. It has already saved me on one occasion before .

Pollycat

soolin said:

Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class change to compensation. From 2 April 2024, Royal Mail is changing the level of compensation available on Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class. The maximum compensation available on these services will now be £20.

https://www.royalmail.com/termschanges#:~:text=Royal Mail Signed For 1st,will now be £20.

It does look as though RM24 and RM48 are being prioritised going forward with both services being available to buy at a PO counter. 

I spoke to a sub-postmaster yesterday and he told me that 'signed for' purchased at a post office will still have a compensation level of £50.
Didn't sound right to me.
Any views?

soolin

Pollycat said:

soolin said:

Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class change to compensation. From 2 April 2024, Royal Mail is changing the level of compensation available on Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class. The maximum compensation available on these services will now be £20.

https://www.royalmail.com/termschanges#:~:text=Royal Mail Signed For 1st,will now be £20.

It does look as though RM24 and RM48 are being prioritised going forward with both services being available to buy at a PO counter. 

I spoke to a sub-postmaster yesterday and he told me that 'signed for' purchased at a post office will still have a compensation level of £50.
Didn't sound right to me.
Any views?

I know the PO and RM are different entities and charge different prices for the same service, but I find it difficult to see how the compensation level for the same service can be different. 

In fact thinking about it, it cannot be true. Post Office don't pay compensation for lost items, only Royal Mail do that. So if a claim is raised for a lost signed for item, the claim is made to RM and they have stated categorically that the compensation level will be £20. Also the PO sell RM services- so cannot change the compo level.

I think the wording on the RM site is quite clear enough 

Changes to Royal Mail terms and conditions | Royal Mail

Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class change to compensation

From 2 April 2024, Royal Mail is changing the level of compensation available on Royal Mail Signed For 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class. The maximum compensation available on these services will now be £20.

olgadapolga

Sounds as if RM wants to get rid of the signed for service. Where is the point in using it, if the compensation levels are the same for standard postage? Seems like they want to discourage customers from using this service in favour of the tracked services. Although the signed for service always was pretty useless, IMO.

Pollycat

THanks, soolin.
As I said, it didn't sound right.

I asked if I could buy RM Tracked 48 at a sub-post office and was told no (although it sounds like it will be possible from 1st April), I could only drop parcels off.

soolin

Pollycat said:

THanks, soolin.
As I said, it didn't sound right.

I asked if I could buy RM Tracked 48 at a sub-post office and was told no (although it sounds like it will be possible from 1st April), I could only drop parcels off.

Yes that's right, at the moment we can only drop off at a PO, at some date (sorry can't remember exact one) it will be possible to buy it at a PO. No doubt it will be more expensive than online, inline with the difference between standard parcels online and at the counter. 

Pollycat

soolin said:

Pollycat said:

THanks, soolin.
As I said, it didn't sound right.

I asked if I could buy RM Tracked 48 at a sub-post office and was told no (although it sounds like it will be possible from 1st April), I could only drop parcels off.

Yes that's right, at the moment we can only drop off at a PO, at some date (sorry can't remember exact one) it will be possible to buy it at a PO. No doubt it will be more expensive than online, inline with the difference between standard parcels online and at the counter. 

According to your link, it will be 2nd April 2024.

Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 available at Post Offices

From 2 April 2024, Royal Mail will add Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 to the range of services available to buy at Post Offices. These services will include an optional signature and redelivery options. Customers will also be able to opt for Safeplace which will be accessible online.