Royal Mail free proof of delivery

[asleepyblueocean]

Hi

Never used Royal Mail for sending parcels, but, was going to give them a try. Asked at local post office for a price list the lady went and spoke to a chap they both kept looking at me then the chap asked what my problem was and why I wanted a list I explained I was going to be sending a few parcels so needed to know prices sizes etc, he sarcastically asked couldn't I use a computer to Google such information! I then enquired about free proof of delivery he told me as posties didn't always mark the item as delivered this was no longer an option and tracking commanded an additional cost. 

I would be grateful if someone can confirm this or if it is still an option how/where would I print a lable (I have a printer) or can it be hand written or printed through ebay and get a delivery number please.

Many thanks in anticipation

[rusticrye]

When you buy standard 1st and 2nd Class parcel postage (not Large Letter) at the Post Office, the Proof of Posting receipt auto-prints with a 16-digit delivery code. This is totally free. It's not a tracking number as such, but updates to 'delivered' on delivery. As far as I'm aware, this has not changed. But check it out with Royal Mail if you need to.

Every Post Office should have a stock of Royal Mail price guides.  If yours doesn't, download one from royalmail.com. And, if possible, use a different Post Office, preferably one with staff who have some basic manners!

@asleepyblueocean 

[asleepyblueocean]

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply, I went to that post office because there wasn't a queue the next nearest one to me had a pretty long queue I guess I know why now!!

So just to clarify I do not have to book the parcel with ebay or online just take parcel to post office get proof of postage and enter that number onto sold item like you do with tracking

[sausage-image]

I would not do it that way, if I were you pay the bit extra and send it tracked a till receipt is not proof of postage and eBay will not accept it in a case of non receipt of a parcel and would reward it to the buyer and you will lose your money, I know I have been there and will only send items tracked and signed for now. A signature at the other end once posted is proof enough of delivery, but at the end of the day it is up to you my friend.

[*susiesue*]

On the proof of posting anything bigger than a large letter has a serial number, enter that number in Royal Mail Track & Trace and it shows if it has been delivered.
I always choose that option for things valued under £20, on the two occasions I've had an item not received email I've sent the link to the page and the buyer has backed off, another that showed as not delivered I refunded the buyer and Royal Mail paid compensation.
Anything over £20 goes signed for.
I always use my local PO to support local business so I have no idea haw eBay labels or Hermes work.

[**peaseblossom**]

Royal Mail use delivery confirmation as standard on all small or medium UK parcels (not large letter), so it is tracked.   As far as I know Covid has not affected that.

You can look up RM prices on their website, or here:

http://www.seajays.org.uk/postage/

You can print or write out a label.  You can just copy & paste buyer's name and address to print out from the Paypal payment.

[asleepyblueocean]

Hi

Thank you very much for the information very clear and informative

[*susiesue*]

Three weeks ago I sold an item (on a different selling platform) posted in in my local post office, small parcel cost £3.10.

I was busy so I just clicked dispatched.

Saturday I received a refund request with the note 'Where is my book?'

I found the relevant PoP went to the Track and Trace site, put in the 16 digit code and it showed that it had been delivered three days after I posted it, it even gave the sat nav code of the address.

I forwarded the link to the buyer and haven't heard anything since!

Make sure you enter the code number to mark as dispatched and keep the proof of postage safe.

[asleepyblueocean]

Hi Susie

Thank you for that information I have gone back through my purchase history and noticed that when I buy items from sellers using RM and seller gives a number more often than not it shows as item sent where posted, date time, but, never gets updated to show delivered. On these occasions when the given number is tracked it just shows as sent my nearest post office explained that this is because most posties do not bother to click their sign/delivered device so it doesn't register as delivered so no proof of delivery is then available and that is why RM are not offering this service everywhere now and advice to pay extra for tracking.

I know its free but bit wary that it may actually be worse for seller as could well assist a 'freebie trier buyer' to claim non delivery even though they may well have the parcel the non updated journey of the parcel would support the buyer.

[*susiesue*]

Thankfully most buyers are honest but if you get one that checks and it shows them that the package has not been delivered yet they have it in their thieving hands and they claim a refund you have to refund them and claim off Royal Mail where the tracking will also show Royal Mail it has not been delivered.

Alternatively you don't supply the tracking number then if you get a non delivery claim you can check and if it has been delivered you can prove it has and send the buyer the proof then if they escalate through eBay the proof of delivery should mean the case is closed in your favour.

I have a friend who is a business seller on here who only ever uses the cheapest postage option he can, his theory is that should he come across a dishonest buyer, or Royal Mail does lose his parcel the money he has saved on postage from preveous sales will cover the occasional loss.

I always pay for the correct level of postage to cover the value of the item.

[ropeseller23]

parcel2go are one of the easiest websites to use and give you a good choice of carriers and options for either drop off or collection.Any parcel can be booked o line with Royal Mail as long as you know the weight and is usually cheaper and quicker than using a post office.You still have to take the parcel to the post office though.