Royal Mail: Ridiculously Poor Tracking updates - Why use RM?

[mach13-13]

Has anyone else looked at how many RM 48hr Delivery packages have no delivery update at all?

I'm predominantly an eBuyer, but im sick n tired of the poor tracking thats available when things are sent via Royal Mail.  especiallialy when large sums of money are involved..

Often there is just an 'ITEM SCAN' with no location... what value is that to anyone? with still no idea of when its going to be delivered. I rarely see 'Out for delivery' on any RM package

I just checked through my purchase history and 9 out of the 20 item items ive bought in the past few months have no 'delvered' update on them.

Why do sellers still use RM?

Other delivery options always offer detailed updates and accurate delivery times..

when suppliers use RM I honestly avoid them when I can

[susapric-68]

Sounds like you're getting your tracking info from eBay, It's best to input the number into Royal Mail tracking site for more detailed tracking

[mach13-13]

Yes the ebay system does shorten the detail... The RM link does offer the location info. My bad on that... 

But im afraid my frustration still stands 

I have checked the last few items purchased on RM site that have been delivered to me... but the RM site still shows them as at the sorting centre.   Not even out for delivery...

[mach13-13]

Being that e-commerce is totally dependant upon a delivery service I'd like to see a rating option for the delivery service used too. 

[pecr7760]

I immediately dismiss everything that's been said by someone who says "my bad".

[asleepingdragon]

Found the postie.

[lolobaby26jm]

Never had a problem with RM deliveries, I send everything 48 tracked and all are scanned at various points of journey.

[nigel_paul_wright7557]

For 2nd class signed for the only update is when it arrives with buyer.

[samuelc3065]

Royal Mail actual tracking is a joke. I had a useless message today saying my address was

inaccessible. No other information. So I have booked to go and get it from a post office as they are so hopeless. Lo and behold. What does it say on my confirmation email. Well it says this- we may have

already attempted to deliver this today as its out for delivery etc...

So the computer generated message is not even updated with the non delivery message

they sent me 3 hours ago. Imagine the royal mail not having properly working computer

systems. Whatever next. Their tracking is not tracking in any dictionary definition of the word

and some things that are entered are not what actually has happened. Do not use them people.

[treast38]

Your the only one then.

[tafski91]

I’ve only just started a small little business on eBay and Royal Mail are appalling! I’ve been sending my items with live plants 24hr tracking and so far 5 have arrived 5 days or later.  I’ve been told that evri are just as bad so don’t know what to do for the best.  And I always go on Royal Mail tracking and so far, in my experience, it makes no difference at all.  Sent 2 coconut shells once and they wouldn’t release because I hadn’t paid enough, I can’t pay from my end and refunded buyer, total postage cost for two coconut half shells? £8!!! Didn’t even have pina colada in them! 

[iss504]

You are right. They don't update the tracking but they DO Deliver.   Evri on the other hand, always update with (fake) tracking and DO NOT deliver.

[cannetski]

Same problem with 48 hour tracked

App isn’t working.

been like this for 4 days .

[tafski91]

24hr 48hr tracking - they “aim” to get within that time period but not guaranteed, you can’t chase until 10 days is up.  So, false advertising that.  Funny thing is, if you grease their palm with next day delivery at ridiculous cost they somehow manage it!  

[richardjml]

Trouble is, they are not Royal Mail any more, but just another shabby courier.

I used them exclusively between 1999 and 2020, sending hundreds of parcels, often by Special Delivery, and they didn’t let me down once. I recommended them to anyone who asked.

Recently, I avoid buying from people using them. Calling a service ‘24’ or ‘48’, knowing that people will assume it means 24h or 48h, then saying, ‘Well, we’ll try but tough luck if it’s not 24/48’ is wholly disingenuous.

Tracking is laughably amateurish, inaccurate, Evri are now much better. I don’t like parcels sitting on the doorstep of my empty house if I am out/away, but RM’s tracking can’t be trusted to avoid this.

Even Special Delivery items are sometimes left on my doorstep and a bogus signature taken, not from my neighbours, so who I don’t exactly know.

[thepillenwerfer]

It always seems to work for me and I get a e-mail early in the day when something is going to be delivered.

As for why Sellers use RM, for some weight and size combinations they are the cheapest and other companies have much longer lists of things they won't pay compensation on if they loose or damage them.  Besides that for all that there are Buyers who say they won't buy from companies who use RM far more say they won't deal with those who use Evri.

As an e-Bay Buyer you're only in trouble is something shows as delivered and hasn't been.  If the postman doesn't scan it on delivery, and you're crooked, you could claim not to have received it and get your money back.