Parcel Delivery Advice Please

[gness]

I rarely send parcels. On Thursday morning I had to send one weighing just over 2kg from Kettering to Exeter. I asked for first class as I wanted it to arrive by Monday at the latest, Saturday if possible.
I was charged £12.68 for a two day delivery.
Yesterday the tracking service showed the parcel to be in the National Hub and today on a vehicle for delivery....too late.
Is this the normal Post Office standard of service? I am inclined to complain...is it worth it do you think?

Back soon.....x

[boxtops]

I would have paid extra to get it sent "next day signed for" delivery, which is guaranteed. First class doesn't guarantee next day.

[rowanwitch]

only way for a guarantee is special delivery which will arrive next day.

[jno]

I once got a "sign-for" delivery that had actually been dropped in the gutter a quarter of a mile away and spotted by a neighbour. So I don't regard any devilery guarantees as foolproof.

[boxtops]

The Royal Mail price chart is very complicated now, but special delivery/signed for would have cost you more than that, but would have guaranteed it by a specific time. Did you ask for signed for?

http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013.pdf

[gness]

I paid for 48 hour express....which is what the chap advised.

[boxtops]

...which would have cost you £16.92 according to section1 of the chart? I wonder if he undercharged you and therefore the parcel was handled differently behind the scenes?

If you want to complain, here's the form http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/royal-mails-claims-process-for-loss-damage-and-delay

You need to send in your original receipt for the parcel with the form. Keep photocopies of everything. It can take quite a while for a response but it does work.

[gness]

Thanks Boxy and all....last time I wear a low cut top into the post office... obviously distracted him.... :-( x

[atalanta]

I have in the past posted vital legal papers which absolutely had to arrive by a deadline. I paid all the enormous charges for the service which I was told would guarantee the delivery on time, but still they were late - by more than a day. Complaints were ignored.

[Connemmara]

Boxy - my sister is going through the same at present - she sent money to our niece in Scotland about 4-5 weeks ago and paid for Next Day Delivery as she always does. Niece never received it and when they tracked it down - allegedly it was signed for in Scotland - now it has been tracked to Coleraine here in NI - nobody seems to know where it is now. Very nice fella in the post office is determined to get it back for her - would you know this - does niece receive it or will my sister get it back - she wanted to let it go but this fella won't drop it. I am saying to myself it is a long time to wait tho. Surely with the tracking number it should have been found by now.

[gness]

Parcel was delivered mid afternoon. The guys in the postal dept. who received it have told me to complain and ask for compensation.....I will do. Many years ago when I complained about late delivery of letters I received compensation......A book of stamps!
Mind you...a book of stamps is worth a bit these days. :-)
Thanks for your advice. x

[whiskeryron]

Let's hope you get a book of penny blacks, you deserve it.

WR.

[gness]

Now wouldn't that be something,Ron!.....x