Item Not Delivered

[PostMeHappy]

Hi folks,

I ordered some items online last week using Parcel Force Express 48 service. I was expecting the delivery today but when i tracked it online this evening it says a delivery attempt was made at 18:30 and the item is now at the Coventry Depot. The problem is, I was in at 18:30 and no card has been left with details of where the item is or what to do!

When i look on google maps there are multiple locations listed and i dont have transport to visit them, or access to a phone to call them

The item number is: PBIN5507222001

Please can someone help and advice me on what to do to retrieve my parcel.

Many thanks,
PMH

[wannabeek]

4/8/2014 20:50 Coventry Depot Redelivery scheduled
4/8/2014 20:50 Coventry Depot Held in depot for redelivery
4/8/2014 19:54 Coventry Depot Parcel returned to/received in depot
4/8/2014 18:30 Coventry Depot Delivery attempted

It says now that a redelivery is scheduled. I have no experience of Parcelforce myself, but I'm guessing that means it's likely that it will be with you tomorrow. This may sound silly, but do just check your doorbell is working - you'd be amazed how many we find that do not work, yet the resident has no idea!

[WOBBLY]

Going from experience of other couriers I'd say they ran out of time and returned to the office with no delivery attempt.
If they'd attended and got no answer then the parcel would have either gone to a neighbour or you'd have had a card posted.

[PostMeHappy]

I live on the 13th floor in a block of flats which I appreciate is a bit time consuming to deliver to. I think Royal Mail have a key to get in with, not sure about Parcel Force. The whole blocks just had extensive work done and the intercom system has been re-vamped and is loud! It definitely works and I would have heard if they called. There have been people outside working all day too - it is usually no problem to get in the building. I've also been watching out for the van all day as i'm very eager to get my parcel. The van usually parks right outside the building but I haven't seen it today.

I suspect they didn't have time to deliver and returned it to the depot. I can't see why they wouldn't leave a card otherwise? This is quite naughty of them as the delivery was guaranteed for today. If they didn't attempt the delivery then they have breached the terms of the contract. So by logging in the system that the delivery was attempted, when it wasn't, they have covered their backs.
The main problem for me here is that I have no way of contacting them, apart from emailing customer services which is a slow process. There is a chance the item will get returned to sender before they email exchange is finished and I will be charged for re-delivery. And if they don't leave a card when they come I have no way of knowing where my parcel is or how I should retrieve it. I cant even take my card along to the post office to ask them.

Hopefully the Redelivery Schedule is for tomorrow. I guess I will have to wait in for 12 hours, from 07:00 to 19:00 to see if they come. If they fail to deliver and don't leave a card tomorrow I'm not sure what I should do? Will cross that bridge when I come to it I guess.

[wannabeek]

I'm only guessing here but because the 'attempted delivery' scan was at 6:30 and the 'return to office' scan wasn't until nearly 8pm, it doesn't look to me like the deliverer ran out of time, more likely it was someone inexperienced in the area who was unable to locate the correct address. If that's the case, it would explain from their point of view why they considered that they had 'attempted a delivery' yet were unable to find where to leave a card to tell you.

Of course this really shouldn't happen but I know that as a postman it sometimes unfortunately does and we would make sure that the item goes out at the next earliest opportunity with somebody who is experienced in the area.

[PostMeHappy]

Hello post,

Well naturally the parcel arrived first thing this morning, safe and sound, delivered by my local friendly Parcelforce driver. With yesterdays panic and disappointment over I've once again been posted happy lol

I'm an ex-postie myself so understand the pressures put on the guys who have to make the deliveries. I still think it's bad practice to claim a delivery attempt was made, but not have this accounted for by leaving a card or logging that a card has been left. Perhaps the cards could be serial numbered or bar-coded so when one is left, it is also on the system and worried customers can more easily find their parcel . Anyway I think this is a shortcoming of the business infrastructure and blame Royal Mail for unreasonable workloads for a single postie and not providing adequate record keeping, rather than blame the postie's themselves.

Thanks for explaining to me what might of been happening. I was panicking and it really did make me feel more at ease last night. Appreciate it.

Cheers,
PMH