Packets being delivered in batches?

[Wezzo]

Hi guys,

I live in Frome. I get a fair few packets delivered - somewhere between five and 25 a week, depending - and I have noticed that my local DO seem to have been stockpiling these packets to deliver in bigger batches, instead of delivering them on the day they arrive. One day I had thirteen arrive, in a sack, some of which were sent via Royal Mail Tracked (from Amazon) and had been listed as having arrived at the DO several days earlier. Just this past Saturday, eight packets turned up, some of which had been sent first class from within the UK six days earlier.

Every time I go a few days without packets, I send a Twitter message to royalmail. They reply saying they contacted the local DO and there are "no known issues"; inevitably, later that day, multitudes of packets turn up via van.

I know tis post is probably coming across as accusatory and I really don't intend it to, but it's so extremely frustrating to have so many parcels delayed by what really seems to be my local DO. Unfortunately, my only evidence is the occasional RM Tracked item showing up at the DO several days before it's delivered - certainly *something*, but hardly enough to prove my case, even though I'm quite convinced.

Does anyone here have any suggestions?

Thanks very much in advance

[noggin1969]

Sounds to me that your local D.O may have cut back on their oversize packet duties like many D.O's have done to save money. They are probably only paying someone a couple of days a week to deliver them on over time. Shouldn't happen but it is becoming more common as D.O managers slash hours out to up their bonuses

[Spedley]

I'd get in touch with the sender of the tracked items, they must have an account and their unhappiness carries more weight with RM than yours.
In our office we have been warned that any Tracked items not delivered properly could result in a Conduct Code offence (a formal warning leading to dismissal).

[POSTMAN]

Complain,complain,complain,regardless of why it's happening it's wrong.
Let us know how you get on.Tracked should be delivered the day they arrive in the office,they are taking the piss.

http://www2.royalmail.com/customer-service" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wezzo]

Thanks for the replies, all.

I filled in Royal Mail's service complaint form and will let you know how I get on.

[74tower]

this is wilful delay no matter how its dressed up ! the RMT packets have been scanned on the day of arrival at the D.O. and the likelihood is as previous messages have stated , there is no one to deliver them on due date.

[slave]

In the words of an office manager when questioned as to why packets don't get taken out when managers cover a walk or get delayed by having drivers covering walks due to lack of staff "packets/parcels are not part of the USO" - that was the end of the conversation.. Of course if a long suffering postie should dare to leave anything then it's willfull delay.

No doubt RM will reply with some elaborate story of why there was a delay to your packet. Lies and deceit occur throughout this company from the very top down.

[Stormproof]

4 managers took 1 delivery out between them the other week.......guess what.........they left all the packets on top of the frame

[Wezzo]

Still no reply from RM but another tracked package not delivered on the day it arrived at the DO (tracking number FJ203986305GB , due for delivery today)

[Wezzo]

Arrived this afternoon with several other overdue packets!

Does anyone know how much longer RM should take to get back to me? They say five working days, it's been eight..

[arnold cheshire]

Still no reply from RM but another tracked package not delivered on the day it arrived at the DO (tracking number FJ203986305GB , due for delivery today)

when a postie scans a tracked delivered the pda knows where its been scanned it has a sat nav so if you live in qw1 2rr and the item has been scanned at qw1 9op theres something wrong

[Wezzo]

Still no reply from RM but another tracked package not delivered on the day it arrived at the DO (tracking number FJ203986305GB , due for delivery today)

when a postie scans a tracked delivered the pda knows where its been scanned it has a sat nav so if you live in qw1 2rr and the item has been scanned at qw1 9op theres something wrong

Sorry, i don't think I was clear enough: the item has indeed been delivered now, but when I posted yesterday, it said that it had arrived at Frome DO, yet it was not delivered until this afternoon, a day after it should have been. (obviously alone this isn't so terrible, but when it's part of a trend, as I said in my original post, it's frustrating)

[mazza111]

If this was me I'd put it in writing to 1st of all the Delivery Office manager, and then to Customer Services. Makes the manager aware that u know it's going on and hopefully he'll get his finger out and put a stop to it

[Wezzo]

Got a boilerplate reply, which suggests they didn't even *read* my complaint ("an item"?!)

Dear Mr Mead

Thank you for contacting Royal Mail.

I'm sorry to hear that an item of mail wasn't delivered when expected.

Of the huge volumes of letters and packets we handle, very few encounter a
problem along their way - but we take every single failure seriously, so I
apologise if we've let you down on this occasion.

I'm sorry that I cannot process claims of this nature via email; this is
due to the specialised investigation required that may involve the
provision of supporting information. To progress your enquiry you will need
to complete one of our claim forms, known as 'P58 Inland Lost, Damaged or
Delayed Mail form'. These are available from any Post Office or
alternatively you can download this form using the following link:

http://www.royalmail.com/p58" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In order for us to process your request as quickly as possible, it's
essential that you complete the form fully, enclosing all supporting
documentation as requested.

Once again, please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of Royal Mail for
the problem you've had, and our thanks for taking the time to make us aware
of this. Please be assured that we take letting our customers down
seriously and will use this information to make further improvements.

Regards

Mark Fleming
Customer Service Advisor

Mazza111, I think I'll take your advice next.

[Straight4ward]

Do you have a regular postie or is it a different face everyday?

If you know your usual postie, it might be worth having a friendly word with him.
More than likely, he'll do his best to help.