Delivery confirmations

t_pine · Post by **t_pine** » 17 Mar 2020, 09:50

Hi everyone

Does anyone here use the Royal Mail 2D barcode CRL service on click&drop/oba here? I've just started using this service just under a month ago, I've already had about 10 of my mail with no delivery confirmation updates - we will update once a delivery attempt is made.

Even after week there is still no update,

I've tried speaking with Royal Mail customer service several times regarding this issue either I've been told is to wait or the response I get is.

Delivery Confirmation provides a way of gaining confirmation of delivery or attempted delivery but is not a notification or tracked service. It is not guaranteed and we will not accept responsibility for complaints or claims made in relation to the availability or accuracy of this service.

I understand it is not a guaranteed service and no compensation but already about 10 with no updates in just under a month.......Is it because the of the latest Corona virus there are delays?

I've always held high regards with Royal Mail but this issue is causing problems with increasing amount of customers claiming Item not received cases .

I've packed,labelled and manifested my mail and handed paperwork according to the instructions on Royal Mail website.

If this is a temporary internal issue due to the latest Corona virus?. ?

Any info or advice will be much appreciated Thanks

wazer · Post by **wazer** » 18 Mar 2020, 19:58

All i can say is,we have been instructed to scan parcels as normal but we can also sign for the items.Check Royal mail website for updates it explains all.

wazer · Post by **wazer** » 18 Mar 2020, 19:58

All i can say is,we have been instructed to scan parcels as normal but we can also sign for the items.Check Royal mail website for updates it explains all.

t_pine · Post by **t_pine** » 19 Mar 2020, 08:31

Appreciate the reply , understand there are staff who are doing what they are instructed but with the amount of non confirmations I'm receiving I am questioning this service and trying to get to the bottom of where the problem lies ,unfortunately Royal Mail Websites does not explain all neither does the customer support services. Again any info or advices would be appreciated.

yellowbelly · Post by **yellowbelly** » 19 Mar 2020, 19:51

Do you print off your own labels with the 2D barcode on?

I get many packets where you can tell that the printer ink has started to run out and it won't scan.
Officially if posties get one of these, we are supposed to input the (numerous digits) code manually, but when
it's raining and the PDA screen gets water drops on it this can prove impossible and if the customer is already
at the door tapping their foot for their parcel it often doesn't happen.

If your packets are small and the label is applied so it is creased or folded over an edge, again we
are in the scenario I've just described.

If the bar code is printed too small, again sometimes they don't scan.

If the paper label has been covered with clear film or sellotape, again it might not scan.

Don't know if any of these factors apply, but just thought I'd mention it.

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 19 Mar 2020, 21:17

Considering the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic, hopefully your parcels will be delivered, scanned or not.

t_pine · Post by **t_pine** » 20 Mar 2020, 10:34

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I print my own 2D barcodes labels using labels provided by Royal Mail and a thermal printer. Many of my parcels/packages are small (large letter sized) so I do make sure every label is placed and presented clearly.
Make sure all writing/barcodes on labels are crisp and clear before applying otherwise re-print .
Double check all labels are not applied near edge of package to avoid reading or scanning difficulties
Make sure all labels are flat and clear when stuck on(no creases or dents) otherwise re-print and apply again.
With the unpredictable UK weather conditions - I agree, any wet labels or writing will create any scanning or reading difficulties . I've considered to apply some kind of clear protective plastic film or even clear tape to protect the label (at least the barcode and address) however will this create scanning problems?

Another suggestion after speaking to a few sellers who sell many small/large letter sized items is to - bundle all small packages/parcels together using elastic bands or string to secure small parcels together temporarily and adding extra copies of paperwork before placing in Royal Mail sacks. Will this be a viable method? or more problems added?

Given to the current Corona virus situation any info for future reference purposes will be very much appreciated. Thank you

Post by **fb1969** » 20 Mar 2020, 15:40

t_pine wrote:I've considered to apply some kind of clear protective plastic film or even clear tape to protect the label (at least the barcode and address) however will this create scanning problems?

I have found some 2D barcodes won't scan when they have clear plastic over them, I think the plastic reflects the scan beam and it confuses the scanner! You seem to have the other common problems I have found covered - creases, ink too light or dark, code folded over the edge of a box.

RM have announced they are not guaranteeing signatures during the virus situation, but our office is still scanning the 2D barcodes as normal. If an item won't scan I will sometimes try to input it manually, but quite often I don't have the time to do so. One issue we have is if there is a shortage of PDAs or if temp staff are being used, 2D barcodes items will just be delivered with no scan being done on them. I can't answer your question about bundling packets as I rarely do any collections.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 22 Mar 2020, 13:04

Royal Mail do keep count of any item with a 2D barcode sticker and whether or not it has been scanned at the point of delivery. Posties, or rather 'walks'(individual deliveries), get scored each week on how many of the 2D barcodes that have been scanned when delivered. Usually if a walk gets below 90% of the 2D items scanned as delivered in a week then it is flagged up and the DOM has to do something about it especially if it becomes a regular occurrence.
It's good to hear you are taking care in how you print and apply the 2D barcode stickers. I personally will take the effort to type in the long line of digits/letters if they will not scan. When the sticker is creased or placed on a edge of a box or item are the most annoying problems with the stickers.
You have started using the 2D barcodes at an inopportune time with the virus situation ongoing and potential staff shortages which could delay the delivery of your items. I would think that your parcels are still being delivered even if the 2D barcodes have not been scanned. I didn't personally know that the sender was informed or could obtain the data to say the 2D barcodes had been scanned so that is interesting to know.
In recent times in our delivery office the daily emphasis has been on first time delivery of Tracked items. We used to get the scores printed up each week for the 2D barcodes but that happens not so regularly nowadays. Our office is small but we always used to be top of the table most weeks with 98% or 99% scanned & delivered. That would mean about ten or less items not scanned, for various reasons, each week so we generally do our best with them.
Please carry on using the service and I think it should improve for you.

sorefeet17 · Post by **sorefeet17** » 23 Mar 2020, 13:32

What would 10 unscanned be compared to the total amount sent? say you are sending 1000 items out in a month then 10 would be pretty good, but if you are sending 20 then very bad.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 24 Mar 2020, 18:05

sorefeet17 wrote:What would 10 unscanned be compared to the total amount sent? say you are sending 1000 items out in a month then 10 would be pretty good, but if you are sending 20 then very bad.

The delivery office I work in has eleven walks so is fairly small compared to other delivery offices. The approximate number of ten represents one or two percent of the total 2D items in a week. Our office has usually been 'top of the league' in the past for our area but high staff shortages and now the coronavirus may effect our scores. When we used to see the scores for all the offices in our area some offices could be below 90%.

t_pine · Post by **t_pine** » 14 Apr 2020, 16:44

Thanks for the replies, I would say about 60-70% are scanned when I first started using this service and now around 50%. However I understand due to the current COVID-19 situation, chances of any scan services will be slim.
Just would like to say thank you for the posties who made the extra effort to scan or even type in the 2D barcode! (Much appreciation there!) Stay Safe and Well .Thanks