Royal Mail International Tracking

[KARL]

I am puzzled as to the comparison of the level/promptness/reliability for tracking of two services offered for letter post.

International Tracked and Signed is cheaper and "International Tracked & Signed items are tracked in the UK and overseas. You can view progress of your item online right through to delivery" plus the item has to be signed for.

On the other hand with the dearer alternative called International Tracked, "International Tracked items are electronically scanned at 6 different points, in the UK and overseas to the point of delivery. The progress of your item may be viewed online with online confirmation of delivery provided".

What is the difference in the online monitoring possibilities I can make use of (I am less concerned about the signature aspect) ? Both services have the same estimated transit time.

[TheChair]

It seems that the main difference is that one offers a maximum of five tracking points, while the other offers tracking end to end.
At a guess this would be something like like (Tracking only)
Intake
Export Scan
Import scan at destination country
Scan at final depot
Delivery.

Whereas the other would be close to DHL type tracking, where you get arrival and leaving scans at every single way-station or depot on the journey.

[KARL]

Are you saying International Tracked & Signed offers more detailed tracking (no specified number of scans, continuous tracking ?) than International Tracking (with its 6 scanning points, not 5) or that the former has 5 against the latter's 6 and that thus the latter gives better tracking possibilities ?

I still feel confused.

[EDDIE51]

I'd be interested to know this as well. The last item I sent even the Post Office counter clerk could not tell me what the difference was or why there were 2 prices.

[KARL]

Ah, now for me the fog begins to clear: Maybe there isn't a sensible answer ! This may end up filed with the "improvements" brought about by the official consumer watchdogs. They forced a change to gas and electricity billing which led to almost all suppliers charging standing (daily) fees, and then also "better/clearer" charging for 034, 084, etc. numbers - both in and of themselves made my bills higher until I found ways around the situation. Thank you EDDIE.