Is Royal Mail Neglecting Simple Delivery Items?

[decobirds]

Two out of three of my sales, sent via Royal Mail 48 Tracked service, have taken longer than they should.  I see that the labels are slightly different to non-Simple Delivery 48 Tracked and show 'Marketplace Seller' on them.  I haven't previously had any delay on items sent by this service, when not using Simple Delivery. 

Has anyone else noticed Royal Mail delays? Is Royal Mail taking advantage of their contract with eBay and neglecting Simple Delivery items? 🤔

[*vyolla*]

I've just had my buyer refunded by eBay (I kept the payment) for a lost item RM label that said 'Marketplace Seller' on it, I did note that the label was slightly different to the usual Simple Delivery labels, but it was still a SD label. 

No idea what happened to that package; it was scanned and then never updated after that, seems to be happening a lot at the moment. 

[simplyessential_uk]

It wouldnt surprise me - I cant understand why "Marketplace Seller' has to show on the label unless its "useful" info to Royal mail = not priority.   They know Ebay will cover the seller when its delivered - Not the same but I had an item coming via Evri through SD and Ebay made me wait an extra 7 days as they said "the tracking is showing as in transit" which is not the norm when you ask Ebay to "step in" after 4 days - So clearly there is some arrangement with SD Vs Business post

[tressygirl]

Yes,  we are receiving more than average reports of this happening, you are not alone !

Happily,  I'm not at that ' party' ,  probably hexing myself now,  but I've been buying bits and bobs recently,  all SD transactions,  and most delivered by Evri!!  All good.  😶

As said,  others not so lucky and we'll never hear a  ' percentage'  of successful / unsuccessful deliveries, bearing in mind,  we usually hear the negative here,  it is a help board,  than receive any positive news ! 🤔 🙄

@decobirds 

[decobirds]

Hi!  Thanks for your reply.

I'm hoping my buyer won't be too annoyed. 

Delivery is to their workplace and tomorrow, (a day late),  is not a work day.  Also hoping it doesn't go missing!  Not worried about payment and refund, as that's covered by eBay - more concerned that a  beautiful Art Nouveau brooch won't go to its intended new owner. 😪

[decobirds]

Hi!  Thanks for replying.

I don't understand why eBay has started this 'Simple Delivery' malarkey.  Seems like  a risky business model - how is refunding the buyer for a lost/damaged in transit item  then allowing the seller to keep the payment, good for eBay's profits?  Royal Mail could chuck stuff in the skip and still get paid.  Madness. 😱

[decobirds]

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I'm mystified by the thinking behind 'Simple Delivery'.  Items I usually send Royal Mail Special Delivery, (the cost of which I subsidise), instead go 48 Tracked.  Royal Mail loses out on the £5/6 extra for Special Delivery, which possibly explains why they are careless about delivering on time with 'Marketplace Seller' items.  It's buyers who bear the disappointment and inconvenience, which reflects badly on the eBay experience.

[4_bathrooms]

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@simplyessential_uk wrote:

It wouldnt surprise me - I cant understand why "Marketplace Seller' has to show on the label unless its "useful" info to Royal mail = not priority.   

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It is most likely there so that Post Office counters will accept Small Parcel items that only have Large Letter postage paid (for example) and also to ensure that Royal Mail processes such items without surcharging eBay's account.

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@simplyessential_uk wrote:

 Not the same but I had an item coming via Evri through SD and Ebay made me wait an extra 7 days as they said "the tracking is showing as in transit" which is not the norm when you ask Ebay to "step in" after 4 days

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This is something that really annoys me. eBay clearly do not hold themselves to the same standards as they hold business sellers - and private sellers whose items are ineligible for Simple Delivery - to.