RMSD becoming unreliable

[huytonman]

Ok chaps, had a watch sent to me two weeks ago via RMSD and it got stuck in the depot near to the sender address for three days (thats what the tracking system said) then turned up unanncounced and yesterday I sent an Explorer with RMSD and once again its "in the system" and wont meet the delivery commitment. Twice in two weeks feels more than just a coincidence or is that all it is? Any similar experiences and suggested alternatives to the PO?
Cheers Keith

[Mick P]

Hi Keith

By way of introduction, I am now retired but was recently the Purchasing Manager within the Royal Mail for a multitude of contracts.

One of the contracts that I had to set up was the measurement of service delivery performance for the Royal Mail by independent auditors.

In brief, thousands of letters and parcels were posted at different places and the times of despatched were noted as well as the time of arrival. Also late deliveries and losses were recorded. Other large delivery companies did the same throughout Europe. All this was done by auditing agencies who were paid to conduct the tests and part of the deal was that they carried out the tests over several months in utmost secrecy.

The good news was that for year after year, the RM came out right at the top of the pile compared to competitors mainly because it has a better infra structure than the competition.

Delays will occur, that is inevitable but I would still recommend using the RM because to my knowledge,it is still the most reliable.

Bearing in mind the value of goods that you deal with, do a test yourself for your own piece of mind, post an empty parcel to a few friends and see what the results are.

Also the percent chance of a non delivery are so small, there are not enough noughts on your calculator to work out the figure.

Regards

Mick

[PJ S]

Keith, you are aware you can claim back the postage fee if the timeframe is not met, which in SD's case, means after 1pm the following day (obviously Saturdays & Sundays don't count).
I just received a refund and comp from having a set of mobile phone earphones go missing – regular 1st Class, returned to the eBay seller.
I have also in the distant past, received full refund for SDs not being made until well after 3pm in the afternoon, and that was sent and received locally!

* By "you" I mean yourself or whomever the sender was, who can reimburse you the amount paid.

[andrewcregan]

I have used RMSD more times than I dare admit over the last 2.5 years. Twice a parcel has arrived a day late, which is a fail rate of well under 1%.
I always make sure that I raise a claim and get my money back, purely on principle.

[lewie]

I generally send SD's to cover the cost of replacement not for the timed delivery - it's a bonus usually for me if it's late as the postage is refunded (sometimes more if it's very late)
Although I am biased as I've done 28 years with 'the business'
I've only ever had one late though

[RossC]

Much like Andrew, I've been a heavy user of RMSD over the past few years, with only two of my sent parcels showing up late. I didn't bother getting the money back, purely because the claim form looks a pain in the backside - intentional I'm sure.

I'm happy to continue with RMSD. It's relatively good value for a close to perfect record, and the speed from up here in the Highlands, to somewhere as far South as say, Newquay, Southampton, Brighton, etc is most impressive - it can be as little as 15hrs.

[huytonman]

Thanks guys, sounds like coincidence then, ive generally been very happy with the service, two non deliveries in two weeks tends to dink the confidence though!
Cheers Keith

[Terryjames]

I can only speak from personal experience and have sold quiet a few over the years and even more so over the last two Months.I have never had any disappointments yet.
Also when i have bought they have always arrived safe and on time.Very very lucky i suppose.

[snowman]

Not surprising is it? A privately owned monopoly underperforming...

M

[Tony]

Not surprising is it? A privately owned monopoly underperforming...

M

Exactly. I'll eat my hat if this service doesn't go to sh*t in future - along with big price hikes.

[The Hack]

...so the OP must have had a stroke of bad luck. :(

[magirus]

In the past I've always found RM to be quick and efficient, both sending and receiving. However I've bought a couple of items separately from Wiggle in the last 10 days, one received and one still in the system. I didn't need especially fast delivery, and the the first arrived with 4 days, which was fine, but the tracking showed it as being in the S. Western distribution centre and that's where it showed right up until the RM driver got back in his van and a quick check showed it as delivered. The second item is doing exactly the same so I will have no idea when it is out on the van for delivery. I've always been able to track RM in the past. Conversely I bought an adapter ring for a lens filter from America for £14 post free, and it arrived 6 days later via USPS and was trackable from Chicago to Durham in 7 or 8 locations.

[itsgotournameonit]

I have had a couple of parcels that have been after the 1PM cut off point and have even arrived the day after but no major dramas. It is without doubt still the safest postage option in the UK.

[Mr TPG]

Exactly. I'll eat my hat if this service doesn't go to sh*t in future - along with big price hikes.

This. I've still only had good experiences with heavy use of RMSD but am apprehensive about the future...

[Eoin]

I'm waiting over a month now for a watch I bought from SC :( In contrast, I sent a watch to the US, and it was delivered within 4 working days.

Though it could just as easily be the local post service that's to blame of course.

[barryw]

I have used Royal mail quite a few times over the last few years,on the whole they have been reliable.
The problems I've had are great variations in pricing from PO to PO,the price is getting out of hand especially once the package is slightly bigger or heavier.
The main issue i have is,if a packets insured and signed for as requested by me,why do they just dump the package(down the side of the house,in a bin etc..)and this has happened quite a few times.
Moan over!

[CVByrne]

Not once in I'd say 100 postings has it failed to be delivered (that I know of) the next day. Excellent service in my experience.

[ach5]

Anyone else got something out for delivery by RMSD today? LOL!

[Dave in Wales]

I sent a camera to a guy in Halifax by RMSD, it arrived late by one day.

I made a claim and was reimbursed my postage of £14 quite rapidly.

Worked out well in the end, he got his camera and I got £14 ;0)))))))

[walkerwek1958]

I`ve sent and received a lot of watches over the past couple of years (around 100) using RMSD, and never once had a problem.

It's worrying to hear from people who have, but on my experience I rate it as an excellent service. Only drawback to me is the £2.5K insurance limit, I wish it was a bit higher.

Paul

[huytonman]

Well here is an update and warning too. I use the official PO special delivery plastic envelopes, strong and secure with the watch itself boxed up inside. This morning the package turned up..at my home because the address label had fallen off or been removed and a helpful sorting office bod had then crossed out "from" which had my name and address on and changed it to "to" - so as far as the PO is concerned, job done, its been delivered (albeit 24 hours late). The bar codes were still in place so in theory it could have been delivered to the correct address. I asked the local PO what they could do and he called the help desk who said "nothing", it has to be sent again (at my cost). So the warning is be careful with the official envelopes, they arent infalible, I also wrote the "to" address this time onto the envelope itself and not only the label. Annoying and frustrating but applying the PO's own logic that it has been rightly delivered I'll demand a refund for it being 24 hours late..
Keith

[jegger]

The main issue i have is,if a packets insured and signed for as requested by me,why do they just dump the package(down the side of the house,in a bin etc..)and this has happened quite a few times.
Moan over!

have you had a word with your delivery office?

leaving a parcel in a "safe" place is one thing but signing for you is another, I wouldn't expect any manager would accept that.

[Yunsung]

For the silver delivery bags I would have the address on both front and back using a marker pen. Royal Mail is the best service in terms of value for money for posting in UK. Never had a RMSD fail me.

[lewie]

Well here is an update and warning too. I use the official PO special delivery plastic envelopes, strong and secure with the watch itself boxed up inside. This morning the package turned up..at my home because the address label had fallen off or been removed and a helpful sorting office bod had then crossed out "from" which had my name and address on and changed it to "to" - so as far as the PO is concerned, job done, its been delivered (albeit 24 hours late). The bar codes were still in place so in theory it could have been delivered to the correct address. I asked the local PO what they could do and he called the help desk who said "nothing", it has to be sent again (at my cost). So the warning is be careful with the official envelopes, they arent infalible, I also wrote the "to" address this time onto the envelope itself and not only the label. Annoying and frustrating but applying the PO's own logic that it has been rightly delivered I'll demand a refund for it being 24 hours late..
Keith

I always rip off the top paper part of the address label and write directly onto the bit underneath
There is no way they could have found the destination address from the barcode - well none I know of- I'd call customer services they will be able to see the item was delivered to the senders address

[Sweepinghand]

Frankly an amazing service.
Sold it for years.
Lares are unheard of even during strikes.

[jegger]

Well here is an update and warning too. I use the official PO special delivery plastic envelopes, strong and secure with the watch itself boxed up inside. This morning the package turned up..at my home because the address label had fallen off or been removed and a helpful sorting office bod had then crossed out "from" which had my name and address on and changed it to "to" - so as far as the PO is concerned, job done, its been delivered (albeit 24 hours late). The bar codes were still in place so in theory it could have been delivered to the correct address. I asked the local PO what they could do and he called the help desk who said "nothing", it has to be sent again (at my cost). So the warning is be careful with the official envelopes, they arent infalible, I also wrote the "to" address this time onto the envelope itself and not only the label. Annoying and frustrating but applying the PO's own logic that it has been rightly delivered I'll demand a refund for it being 24 hours late..
Keith

the "helpful bod" at the sorting office was just returning the watch back to you, that's the reason for the crossing out, a bar code would not have your address details or that would have been used. I don't think they are claiming any address be it yours or the other party will do,seems they are blaming you for not making sure the parcel was suitably address, it's one of those get out of jail free cards the post office has.

I think they are being harsh with the rules,maybe try ringing back and getting someone else as when you write on the white label should go through to the bottom copy, so the address should have been there, or are you saying even that fell off? I would use that as to me that is very unliky to have fallen off, more likely peeled off by someone and it's not like you had a part in sticking it on, I understand the rule that if a stamp falls off the sender is to blame, as they are the ones sticking it one, but surely they can't use that rule in this case.

ring back, try again,even ask for a manager after all it was their product that failed, not you not using enough spit.

[fordystar]

Used RMSD around 100 times, there success rate is around 92%, always seems to be high valued items that i had problems with, anything above £500 is going DHL from now on.

[christech81]

Over the years I've been lucky with RMSD, in the early days quite a few items would go walkies but in recent years they have been more reliable. It's like all services though, the more you use them the more cracks you see appearing in the system.

The market for sending high end expensive jewelry by post appears to be limited to a few expensive or specialist services. I have to say I'm disappointed by the Royal Mail, Special Delivery is one of the more accessible services but is clearly not sufficient compensation for a great number of items.

My Tag went back for servicing recently, they sent a RMSD bag for me to send my item to them and even arranged a collection service, when asking about compensation was told by the customer service representative that Tag would actually cover the item on a like for like basis.

Rolex on the other hand offer no such service, shame as the few watches I've taken in by person to St James have tended to need taking back, as I don't live in London this does become a tiresome chore.

[huytonman]

OK guys, so for all of you who have had flawless service, good on you, my situation is getting worse by the bloody day. I resent the watch yesterday to the buyer (after it was returned to me and yes the sticky label with his address on the envelope had been removed by somebody on the original envelope) and yes, you can guess whats coming, it no showed today (plus the guys wife took the morning off to receive it..we all know how tricky that can turn out). The tracking system shows the package turning up in Birmingham sorting centre at 4.46 this morning , there are then a few later updates about handling over to shifts (none make any sense to me) and then the last message says at 15.19 says it had arrived at the Birmingham sorting centre..so if the data is accurate its sat in the centre all day (presumably mislaid) and somebody looks to have found it and booked it back into the system. Jinxed or what?!
Keith

[lewie]

OK guys, so for all of you who have had flawless service, good on you, my situation is getting worse by the bloody day. I resent the watch yesterday to the buyer (after it was returned to me and yes the sticky label with his address on the envelope had been removed by somebody on the original envelope) and yes, you can guess whats coming, it no showed today (plus the guys wife took the morning off to receive it..we all know how tricky that can turn out). The tracking system shows the package turning up in Birmingham sorting centre at 4.46 this morning , there are then a few later updates about handling over to shifts (none make any sense to me) and then the last message says at 15.19 says it had arrived at the Birmingham sorting centre..so if the data is accurate its sat in the centre all day (presumably mislaid) and somebody looks to have found it and booked it back into the system. Jinxed or what?!
Keith

Well at least you'll get your postage back- pm me the number and I'll do a 'proper' track on it 1st thing tomorrow

[Yunsung]

Are you sending them before the daily cut off?

[huytonman]

Are you sending them before the daily cut off?

Always do, way before cut off

[lewie]

Ive just tracked this, appears its address to WR5 *** - could be why youve not had it yet- I presume your in NR and not WR.
Sender has 'maybe' put the wrong address(postcode) hence its late arrival!

[huytonman]

Ive just tracked this, appears its address to WR5 *** - could be why youve not had it yet- I presume your in NR and not WR.
Sender has 'maybe' put the wrong address(postcode) hence its late arrival!

Paul, looks to have hit the nail on the head, although the address itself is correct the post code had probably been misinterpreted as W instead of N; when I wrote the envelope out in the post office after it had been misdelivered the first time I was balancing the thing on a small ledge so probably wasnt as clear as usual..anyway, although the recipient wasnt home to accept the package today, we know its now in the correct location which shows that the system recovered, brings back faith in RMSD! Thanks Paul for digging into this for me

Cheers Keith

[fordystar]

Hope that's not a paypal deal !! Entering a shipping address that is any different than the one provided means the transaction will be reversed to buyer! (If disputed of course)

[itsgotournameonit]

3 sent this week including one sent yesterday and all 3 landed without issue. I always use the RMSD silver bags. Have seen threads here that always maintain this is the best option.

[andrewcregan]

3 sent this week including one sent yesterday and all 3 landed without issue. I always use the RMSD silver bags. Have seen threads here that always maintain this is the best option.

Same here. Launched 3 on one day, and all arrived with no issues.
I also use the silver bags - sometimes even double bag!

Once a fellow TZer sent me a watch using another company, and the service was embarrassing!

[Stu]

I always use RMSD for sold items. Usually watches but the odd iPad etc. fantastic service, no complaints.

[gregory]

I was once waiting for a RMSD piece to be delivered by the later 1pm deadline.

It wasn't here by then... it got here at 1315. However.. it was marked as delivered at 1250!!


So to avoid compensation, the postman had signed for it himself, I am assuming... in the hope that I wouldn't know.

When he arrived... much to his blushes... I asked him why it had shown up online as delivered (with a squiggle signature) before the 1pm 'compensation' cut off.



#squirm

[lewie]

Probably more worried about an uncomfortable conversation with his manager than the compo

[andrewcregan]

Probably more worried about an uncomfortable conversation with his manager than the compo

It is probably in their own best interest, with them all being share holders.
Even better would be ensuring delivery before 1pm and keeping the customer happy.