Royal Mail failed me

Didache

I had to send my licence details to DVLA and arranged online for Royal Mail to pick up my letter and put a label on.  A postman arrived at my house with a delivery and noticed my letter waiting to be picked up.  He told my friend that he would take it back to his van and put a label on.

A few weeks later I was taken to court for not producing my licence details.  I wrote to the Royal Mail and they told me to claim their compensation for non delivery - £20.00.  Their app showed that they had tried to pick up my letter but it wasn’t there.  I informed the court that I had sent my details off and they finally believed me after weeks of anguish.  A few weeks later I received my letter back with a demand for £5.00 postage because of insufficient funds.  Therefore the postman had taken my letter and eventually posted it without postage or a label.  To me that is tampering with the Royal Mail - delaying delivery etc.  I sent them a letter setting all the details out and demanding compensation, giving them a month to reply.  Needless to say I have heard nothing.  Do I now take them to the Small Claims court?

powerful_Rogue

Didache said:

I had to send my licence details to DVLA and arranged online for Royal Mail to pick up my letter and put a label on.  A postman arrived at my house with a delivery and noticed my letter waiting to be picked up.  He told my friend that he would take it back to his van and put a label on.

A few weeks later I was taken to court for not producing my licence details.  I wrote to the Royal Mail and they told me to claim their compensation for non delivery - £20.00.  Their app showed that they had tried to pick up my letter but it wasn’t there.  I informed the court that I had sent my details off and they finally believed me after weeks of anguish.  A few weeks later I received my letter back with a demand for £5.00 postage because of insufficient funds.  Therefore the postman had taken my letter and eventually posted it without postage or a label.  To me that is tampering with the Royal Mail - delaying delivery etc.  I sent them a letter setting all the details out and demanding compensation, giving them a month to reply.  Needless to say I have heard nothing.  Do I now take them to the Small Claims court?

I think you'll have a hard job proving he interfered with the mail.

What monetary amount are you going to claim for if you raise a claim and what are your actual losses?

Aylesbury_Duck

Didache said:

 Do I now take them to the Small Claims court?

In a word: No.

Hoenir

Didache said:

I had to send my licence details to DVLA and arranged online for Royal Mail to pick up my letter and put a label on.  A postman arrived at my house with a delivery and noticed my letter waiting to be picked up.  He told my friend that he would take it back to his van and put a label on.

A few weeks later I was taken to court for not producing my licence details.  I wrote to the Royal Mail and they told me to claim their compensation for non delivery - £20.00.  Their app showed that they had tried to pick up my letter but it wasn’t there.  I informed the court that I had sent my details off and they finally believed me after weeks of anguish.  A few weeks later I received my letter back with a demand for £5.00 postage because of insufficient funds.  Therefore the postman had taken my letter and eventually posted it without postage or a label.  To me that is tampering with the Royal Mail - delaying delivery etc.  I sent them a letter setting all the details out and demanding compensation, giving them a month to reply.  Needless to say I have heard nothing.  Do I now take them to the Small Claims court?

Perhaps your friend wasn't in when the postperson called. When they realised their mistake. Simply put the letter in a post box.  If the letter wasn't delivered then could blame someone else.

RefluentBeans

Monetary claims have to be substantiated and mitigated. If you go down the stress and anguish route; you’ll need to show how it affected you and the losses you’ve suffered (missed work, therapy etc). If you want compensation because they screwed you over and want to make them suffer (punitive damages - meaning to punish) then I’m afraid you can’t claim them in the UK. Regulators can issue punitive fines (postage gas regulations) but unlikely they’ll care about a letter not being delivered. 

I’m glad the court believed you. Personally, I’d just let this pass you by; it’s not worth the stress and anger. You won’t get the result you want and it’ll cost you more in time (and money; filing costs money). 

Emmia

Didache said:

I had to send my licence details to DVLA and arranged online for Royal Mail to pick up my letter and put a label on.  A postman arrived at my house with a delivery and noticed my letter waiting to be picked up.  He told my friend that he would take it back to his van and put a label on.

When you do this online doesn't it give you the option to print a label and book the collection?

If you don't have a printer, then I wouldn't have handed over something like this (or any package) without seeing the label with the postage being applied.

(Why did your friend hand it over?)

LinLui

I'm sorry this happened. But just because the court believed you is no reason that Royal Mail have to. You contracted a specific service that is delivered in a specific way. You didn't adhere to that - you effectively handed over the letter to someone not authorised to take it. I appreciate that your friend thought it would be ok, but that really isn't Royal Mails fault. I can't see any purpose in taking this further and just causing yourself more stress

Jumblebumble

LinLui said:

I'm sorry this happened. But just because the court believed you is no reason that Royal Mail have to. You contracted a specific service that is delivered in a specific way. You didn't adhere to that - you effectively handed over the letter to someone not authorised to take it. I appreciate that your friend thought it would be ok, but that really isn't Royal Mails fault. I can't see any purpose in taking this further and just causing yourself more stress

I am confused
As I understand it Royal Mail  were asked to pick up a letter
A postman arrived and did so.
How is the OP or their friend at fault and what do you adivise they should have done different?

Hoenir

Jumblebumble said:

LinLui said:

I'm sorry this happened. But just because the court believed you is no reason that Royal Mail have to. You contracted a specific service that is delivered in a specific way. You didn't adhere to that - you effectively handed over the letter to someone not authorised to take it. I appreciate that your friend thought it would be ok, but that really isn't Royal Mails fault. I can't see any purpose in taking this further and just causing yourself more stress

A postman arrived and did so.

From the OP. 

Their app showed that they had tried to pick up my letter but it wasn’t there.  

outtatune

Jumblebumble said:

LinLui said:

I'm sorry this happened. But just because the court believed you is no reason that Royal Mail have to. You contracted a specific service that is delivered in a specific way. You didn't adhere to that - you effectively handed over the letter to someone not authorised to take it. I appreciate that your friend thought it would be ok, but that really isn't Royal Mails fault. I can't see any purpose in taking this further and just causing yourself more stress

I am confused
As I understand it Royal Mail  were asked to pick up a letter
A postman arrived and did so.
How is the OP or their friend at fault and what do you adivise they should have done different?

The OP didn't put the label on the letter. My understanding is that posties can only bring you the labels for parcels, and not regular post, and only if you specifically request that service. It's not very clear what service the OP bought or thought they bought, but to me it looks like they simply gave the postie a letter with no postage attached.

sheramber

 A postman arrived at my house with a delivery and noticed my letter waiting to be picked up.  He told my friend that he would take it back to his van and put a label on.

Was thatt he postman who was due to collectt he letter?

Iy does not sound like it.