Special Deliveries delivered on a Saturday

[simmo11]

Good evening all

Posted a Special Delivery Friday with guaranteed delivery Monday by 1pm. Top marks to Royal Mail that it was in fact delivered Saturday morning (yesterday) - no complaints whatsoever there

However, I did not pay the extra for the Saturday guarantee (currently 2.70) on the item. Whilst I am obviously pleased at the speedy delivery, I would have been cheesed off had I chosen to pay the extra in light of the fact that it was delivered Saturday anyway. So my question was what (if anything) dictates whether or not a particular item does get delivered on a Saturday or just gets held to Monday (which they'd have been more than entitled to in my case). Is it just on a Delivery Office by Delivery Office basis or are there formal guidelines?

Thanks as always!

[mazza111]

It's only that word really isn't it, guaranteed. I've heard of some offices leaving specials on a Saturday and only delivering the Saturday Guarantees. Never happened in our office, everything went in our office.

[DGP1]

I think it depends on the MC feeding them to the DOs, if they come into the DO then they are attempted delivery (unless there is a Saturday shut notice).

[SpacePhoenix]

I think it depends on the MC feeding them to the DOs, if they come into the DO then they are attempted delivery (unless there is a Saturday shut notice).

All specials that arrive during Friday nights will always get sent out to the DOs. AFAIK DOs should always attempt delivery of any specials on a Saturday unless the address has a Saturday retention in place.

[not me]

I think it depends on the MC feeding them to the DOs, if they come into the DO then they are attempted delivery (unless there is a Saturday shut notice).

All specials that arrive during Friday nights will always get sent out to the DOs. AFAIK DOs should always attempt delivery of any specials on a Saturday unless the address has a Saturday retention in place.

maybe in a past
nowadays an SD can be left due to no staff,lapsing,walks on OT etc etc

to the OP. Sat SD used to be optional @£1
its price roase when the competitors complained and got VAT added t the price

[NewPostieUK]

This is a very good question. In my opinion we should only take out SG's on a saturday.

Some people, like myself, will order things and try to get them delivered on their day off. If my day off is a monday, I can't get a 'guaranteed delivery' on that day, as it will probably be delivered, or attempted, on the saturday (when I'm out).

Depends what I'm ordering of course, and where from, but most businesses won't send stuff Special Delivery on a saturday (or they won't be able to send it out on time) so that it will be guaranteed delivery on the monday.

[slave]

I've delivered a fair few SDs that are not Saturday guaranteed (no choice in the matter), to be honest it's a f***ing stupid practice and makes a mockery of the SG service. If they haven't paid for it, why give it - although I'm sure a fair few customers acually like it arriving quicker than expected!

[kawoxux]

i didn't even know there was a distinction until i started noticing SG stickers on some and not others.. I just deliver what they give me!

why are RM charging more for saturday anyway, its just a normal working day isn't it..?

[not me]

i didn't even know there was a distinction until i started noticing SG stickers on some and not others.. I just deliver what they give me!

why are RM charging more for saturday anyway, its just a normal working day isn't it..?

they charge more to ensure its there Saturday
it doesnt say it wont
it brings them into line with other carriers who charge Saturday premiums