Royal Mail Huge Reduction in Compensation for parcels

TimeLord1

Be aware that from the Royal Mail price increases on 2nd April, Signed For (Recorded) delivery compensation is reducing from £50 to £20, meaning that items worth between £20 and £50 cannot be sent by that service and be covered for loss in the post. Royal Mail has not made this widely known and it is an underhand change which worsens the service at the same time as increasing prices. 

So not very upfront on informing customer's of a massive reduction in covering their items especially if you've used the services in the past you would think you had made a mistake or it was an error on their website. But be aware if you are using them to check the cover price. Also seems the collection is erratic from collection to not at this time try another address or location. 

Pollycat

This has been discussed here:
Changes to compensation limited on RM signed for — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Unfortunately, the service I was going to use to replace 'signed for' (which had a compensation level of £50 that was enough for almost everything I sell on eBay) which was Tracked 48 and was planned to be available to buy at Post Offices also from 2nd April has been delayed with no information about when it will be available.

From that thread:

Pollycat said:

OK.
Called in at a post office (in WHS) this afternoon to post paPollycat said:

Pollycat said:

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.

OK.
So today is 2nd April.
Went to a largish post office (in WHS) ready to post 4 items Tracked 48.
They can't offer this service as their system hasn't been updated.
So had to rethink and ended up sending 3 parcels 2nd class small parcel not signed for and 1 special delivery.
Small parcel has gone up from £3.49 to £3.69.
So they can update their system to charge more but not update it to offer a service they promised would start today.
Nice bit of prioritising (not). 

OK.
Called in at the same post office this afternoon and asked if they now do RM Tracked 48 (RM blurb said this service would be available over the counter wef 2/4/24.
The manager said she'd contacted RM and was told 'it's been postponed'.
No explanation.
No revised date.
Shocking service from Royal Mail.

TimeLord1

Thanks for the link I did a Royal Mail search but didn't see this one because it's heading was RM but thank you. 

You would assume they would've made a consumer post indicating the reduction. I also probably assume whoever the underwriters used to cover damages and loss probably increased their costs because of claims. Or if they have their own policy for claims. Not I will look into that. 

bluelad1927

You can buy Tracked 24 online then take it to a PO and get the the QR code scanned for a label.

This has up to £150 compensation and cost 20p less for a small parcel (£5.79) than paying 1st class signed for that has only £20 comp (£5.99)

vacheron

bluelad1927 said:

You can buy Tracked 24 online then take it to a PO and get the the QR code scanned for a label.

This has up to £150 compensation and cost 20p less for a small parcel (£5.79) than paying 1st class signed for that has only £20 comp (£5.99)

You can also currenty get the postman to collect a tracked 24 or 48 from your address for free as well.

It all sounds to me like RM are attempting to drive people away from post office services and offer more "direct to customer" experiences. Especially as the tracked 24/48 insurance was increased from the original £100 to £150 at no extra cost last august.

TimeLord1

The trouble with this service limited opening drop off times due to counters being reduced hours even days closed. How nearby it is mine is 7 miles away limited days for drop off, they even state you must arrive an hour before they close or they can refuse it, my own one is 3hrs in the morning closed from 12-4 four times a week closed several days because of collection at home that isn't always available. It's dire to it's original service. 

TimeLord1

This was a few months ago now less days available for dropping off I took the photo after using tracked 48 only to get there and it was closed. 

Pollycat

vacheron said:

bluelad1927 said:

You can buy Tracked 24 online then take it to a PO and get the the QR code scanned for a label.

This has up to £150 compensation and cost 20p less for a small parcel (£5.79) than paying 1st class signed for that has only £20 comp (£5.99)

You can also currenty get the postman to collect a tracked 24 or 48 from your address for free as well.

It all sounds to me like RM are attempting to drive people away from post office services and offer more "direct to customer" experiences. Especially as the tracked 24/48 insurance was increased from the original £100 to £150 at no extra cost last august.

I want to use my local sub-post office to buy the service.
I don't want to buy on line.
I have 2 post offices within walking distance and 2 others that I can easily get to.
I want to give them my business.

TimeLord1 said:

The trouble with this service limited opening drop off times due to counters being reduced hours even days closed. How nearby it is mine is 7 miles away limited days for drop off, they even state you must arrive an hour before they close or they can refuse it, my own one is 3hrs in the morning closed from 12-4 four times a week closed several days because of collection at home that isn't always available. It's dire to it's original service. 

and this ^^^^ is why I want to continue using the local sub-post offices.

I just want Royal Mail to offer the service they said they were going to introduce wef 2nd April.

Pollycat

TimeLord1 said:

This was a few months ago now less days available for dropping off I took the photo after using tracked 48 only to get there and it was closed. 

This ^^^^ is opening times for a RM Sorting Office.

bluelad1927 said:

You can buy Tracked 24 online then take it to a PO and get the the QR code scanned for a label.

This has up to £150 compensation and cost 20p less for a small parcel (£5.79) than paying 1st class signed for that has only £20 comp (£5.99)

Can you do this ^^^^?
Sub-post offices will have much longer opening times.

TimeLord1

I have in the past taken a QR code on my phone for a shop assistant running the post office also with limited training wasn't able to scan it and didn't have any training how to solve it. I returned home printed it myself and posted it into a letterbox. It still managed to arrive with notifications. I do feel for the shop staff operating tills stacking shelves and dealing with post office and banking it's not fair. 

TimeLord1

Also buying online it requires recipients email and phone number to notify them, I would suspect you probably have further issues getting them to respond.

The image is delivery office counter times for pick up drop off or general help.