I used to swear-blind by first-class post being worth the extra money, but...
I live in the BS37 postcode area, and the service is great. Quite often second-class items within BS will be delivered overnight - I presume just "good luck" and lack of transport required. I've had a few situations where an item has been posted long-distance first-class (Inverness - Bristol, Orkney-Bristol, Inverness-Welshpool), and the item has got there ontime. Fine.
Recently, two cards sent from a rural box a few miles outside Loch Ness (so Inverness area) - both to the same address in Bristol. One first-class, one-second. They both arrived two-days later.
I totally understand about the odd-delay here and there, 93% target for first-class, 99% for second, this might just be the 7% that didn't make it -etc.. But it has got me wondering a bit. Does second-class still go via road, and first-class by air?
I must admit, I'm now beginning to wonder if first-class is always worth it.
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First/second class
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TeeferTiger
- EX ROYAL MAIL
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Re: First/second class
I think it's more of a case of giving RM leeway as to when they deal with the 2nd class mail. If the mail centre has had issues or the wagons are full or there's simply lots of 1st class to deal with, they can delay dealing with the 2nd class stuff or forwarding it on without having claims for delayed mail flooding in.
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japitts
- Posts: 20
- Joined: 07 Dec 2010, 14:32
- Gender: Male
Re: First/second class
Makes sense... it just strikes me that for two letters to make it from rural Highlands to Bristol, in two days - that's very good for second-class, but the first-class stamp simply wasn't worth the extra.
Fairly recently we had a packet sent 1st class from Gloucester to Bristol, which I know was posted early in the day. It didn't arrive the next day. After years of being happy to pay the extra (when you post in Orkney at 2.30pm and the item arrives at 8.30 the next day at the opposite end of the country).. I'm questioning the value of first-class. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but this time it is.
Fairly recently we had a packet sent 1st class from Gloucester to Bristol, which I know was posted early in the day. It didn't arrive the next day. After years of being happy to pay the extra (when you post in Orkney at 2.30pm and the item arrives at 8.30 the next day at the opposite end of the country).. I'm questioning the value of first-class. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but this time it is.
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TeeferTiger
- EX ROYAL MAIL
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- Gender: Female
- Location: Welsh Wales
Re: First/second class
I have to admit, I only bother with first class when I need it to get there within 3 days lol
I usually send everything 2nd class as I post everything in good time and as long as it arrives within a week I don't mind.
I usually send everything 2nd class as I post everything in good time and as long as it arrives within a week I don't mind.
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arnold cheshire
- Posts: 5309
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Re: First/second class
what time of day was the first class posted ?japitts wrote:Makes sense... it just strikes me that for two letters to make it from rural Highlands to Bristol, in two days - that's very good for second-class, but the first-class stamp simply wasn't worth the extra.
Fairly recently we had a packet sent 1st class from Gloucester to Bristol, which I know was posted early in the day. It didn't arrive the next day. After years of being happy to pay the extra (when you post in Orkney at 2.30pm and the item arrives at 8.30 the next day at the opposite end of the country).. I'm questioning the value of first-class. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but this time it is.
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arnold cheshire
- Posts: 5309
- Joined: 14 Oct 2010, 21:28
- Gender: Male
- Location: england
Re: First/second class
youve got to allow for cut offs and drivers not working overTeeferTiger wrote:I have to admit, I only bother with first class when I need it to get there within 3 days lol
I usually send everything 2nd class as I post everything in good time and as long as it arrives within a week I don't mind.
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japitts
- Posts: 20
- Joined: 07 Dec 2010, 14:32
- Gender: Male
Re: First/second class
the first-class item that's triggered this, (i.e. delivered at the same time as a simultaneous second-class card) was posted at 2.30pm from a 3pm-collection postbox in a small village just outside Dores, near Inverness - . The packet was lunchtime "over the counter". In fairness I've used 3pm collections around the Highlands on many previous occasions and all first-class items have arrived on-time.bringon4dayweeks wrote:what time of day was the first class posted ?japitts wrote:Makes sense... it just strikes me that for two letters to make it from rural Highlands to Bristol, in two days - that's very good for second-class, but the first-class stamp simply wasn't worth the extra.
Fairly recently we had a packet sent 1st class from Gloucester to Bristol, which I know was posted early in the day. It didn't arrive the next day. After years of being happy to pay the extra (when you post in Orkney at 2.30pm and the item arrives at 8.30 the next day at the opposite end of the country).. I'm questioning the value of first-class. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but this time it is.
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TeeferTiger
- EX ROYAL MAIL
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- Location: Welsh Wales
Re: First/second class
No, I just allow for Royal Mail processesbringon4dayweeks wrote:youve got to allow for cut offs and drivers not working overTeeferTiger wrote:I have to admit, I only bother with first class when I need it to get there within 3 days lol
I usually send everything 2nd class as I post everything in good time and as long as it arrives within a week I don't mind.
Does this rag smell of chloroform to you?