Recorded Signed For 1st Class 7 days delayed?

[thepettle]

I have sent an important package regarding a visa application due to expire in 7 days from Aberdeen to Durham, 7 days ago First Class Recorded Signed For and all I can see under track and trace is its being progressed through their network. I have called both royal mail and the post office which cannot help me. I tried calling the border agency, could not help me. My passport etc. is in that package and I was told I cannot file a claim until 28 days, but my visa expires in 7! I had to file it when I had 28 days or less left of my visa and I just want to know if its lost or what. Has anyone else had problems with the post in these areas? I have cause for concern. Sorry for ranting!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It seems like agencies such as the Border Agency, DVLA and others who get large volumes of both recorded and special deliveries (sometimes in the 1000) take time to get updated on to the track and trace system. I would say that in all probability that the agency has received it and its working through their system.

[thepettle]

it just makes me worry because i have no way of finding out unless they sign for it royal mail says so surely if they signed for it, it would automatically be updated? or is that not how it works? thanks for saying that, i hope you are right. i dont want to get in trouble for overstaying my visa when i haven't tried to.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

At a guess because of the time it takes to put each one through electronically on delivery then they are signed for on a paper bulk system - this cuts down the time at the delivery point, but slows down the updating procedure. As I say most queries we get on this sort of thing usually end up being that the particular agency did receive it but that they have no way of tracing through their own system.

In fact earlier this year when I was updating my passport to the new fangled biometric one I had the same concerns - it did not update receipt at the Passport Office until I had actually received it back.

[m1918]

i've got the opposite problem, i'm trying to get out of the country rather than stay! just had to cancel my chrismas holiday in the sun because my holiday currency didn't arrive. maybe i'm a fool for ordering it online but i though it would be safe ordering it 10 days ago by next day delivery, and it only had to cross london. I don't know how they can still accept payment for guaranteed delivery when the guarantee is withdrawn. they should just charge the same price for recorded delivery. Also, a couple of friends sent me special deliveries last week. i asked them to also send a letter by first class standard at the same time just to test it. sure enough the standard post came 2 days earlier. I'm convinced the special deliveries are not a priority. My own postman is excellent, but a friend says she waited in all day to sign for some post, the postman didn't even knock but left one of those red cards. she chased him down the street to collect it but it turns out he didn't have it and he was just delivering 'while you were out cards' so people had to collect it themselves rather than him carry it.
i'm nearly £5k out of pocket and i've got a grumpy wife and kids, but i've been assured i will get my £5 postage refunded!
anyway good luck with your post problem.

[thepettle]

that sounds awful. im sorry. thanks i hope it works out. i have had postmen delivery something for you red cards and not knock or ring the doorbell, quite often actually. i never thought to think they might not have it with them, thats odd. i am nervous, i just wish i knew what to do next. i dont want it to be lost and the border agency think im overstaying my visa and hadn't applied, but no one i call seems to be able to help me. at the same time my passport is in that package along with other important information so i don't know where i stand or what to do but wait it out. i hope it all works out. surely you can contact them and get your money back.

[m1918]

i can't speak from experience but surely they will take into consideration the fact that your documents have been delayed by the christmas rush and weather. it is out of your hands when you have posted it, and when we send something special delivery or not we are totally helpless and reliant on other people. i've had many a sleepless night over royal mail. by the way i got a delivery the other day and the tracking is still showing 'your letter is in being processed through or system', so there is at least some chance that yours has been delivered but the tracking not updated.

[thepettle]

thanks for that, i really need to believe they will take it into consideration - i can literally feel grey hairs growing on my head from the stress of it all. at least i know there is a chance and im not the only one with post going missing

[noggin1969]

My passport etc.

If i was sending my passport through the post i would use the Special Delivery service

[thepettle]

Special Delivery service was at a standstill so I couldn't use that and the Border Agency said to send it Recorded Delivery so yeah I don't need your two pence thanks.

[TeeferTiger]

Special Delivery service was at a standstill so I couldn't use that and the Border Agency said to send it Recorded Delivery so yeah I don't need your two pence thanks.

They were only saying that because of the insurance you receive, the fact that specials are tracked EVERY step of the way, and travel separately to the mail. So, if I was sending something as important as my passport, I too would use special delivery, even if the next day wasn't guaranteed. I realise it's a stressful situation for you and that typed words can be misconstrued, but I really don't think that response was called for.

Anyway, I wish you every success in getting your application processed. My colleagues above have already advised you of what the probable situation is so I don't need to, or daren't, say any more.