What factors determine whether inflight options are available?

[ottog]

Hi,
Because I'm not a fan of waiting in for parcels at home and because not every online shop offers a collection option, I find myself using the inflight options in the app or tracking page to send it to a post office whenever possible. I've noticed the option sometimes shows up and sometimes doesn't.

For example, someone has sent me something today by Tracked 48. I have a tracking number and right now it shows as "we're expecting it" with no options available. Should I expect inflight options to show up at some point, maybe tomorrow? Or if they don't show now, should I assume they never will?

More generally though, I'm just interested in exactly what factors decide whether/when those buttons show up.

(To be crystal clear, I'm talking about diverting to a post office before any attempt has been made to deliver it to the address on the label. The other day I had a Special Delivery item and the option /did/ show up, but I didn't press it because from googling I was fairly sure it wouldn't work until at least after the first attempt.)

[yellowbelly]

I've noticed this on my own parcels. I haven't quite worked out at what point in the delivery chain the option(s) become available or whether it's only certain items.

I think it might even be when it gets to your local delivery office, by which time it's often too late to change
anything especially if you're not glued to your phone whilst you're out/at work etc.

[TopperGas]

I've noticed this on my own parcels. I haven't quite worked out at what point in the delivery chain the option(s) become available or whether it's only certain items.

I think it might even be when it gets to your local delivery office, by which time it's often too late to change
anything especially if you're not glued to your phone whilst you're out/at work etc.

It can't be when it arrives at the local DO as otherwise no postie would ever get an inflight message when they scanned the parcel for delivery once it arrives at the DO? It must be at a stage around the time it leaves the MC?

[yellowbelly]

I've noticed this on my own parcels. I haven't quite worked out at what point in the delivery chain the option(s) become available or whether it's only certain items.

I think it might even be when it gets to your local delivery office, by which time it's often too late to change
anything especially if you're not glued to your phone whilst you're out/at work etc.

It can't be when it arrives at the local DO as otherwise no postie would ever get an inflight message when they scanned the parcel for delivery once it arrives at the DO? It must be at a stage around the time it leaves the MC?

That was also a thought, wasn't sure, however I tried again with another tracked I was due, the email I received offered up the link to change delivery preference, but again it wouldn't let me do anything. It had got past the preceding MC on checking the tracking. I think RM systems are just not up to scratch.