Pre-paid signed for straight in post box

brassmonkey · Post by **brassmonkey** » 28 Mar 2020, 20:31

Currently I sell on EBay and print pre-paid 1st class signed large letter labels direct from Ebay and stick them on my parcels.

I take these into a post office and they scan each parcel individually and at the end provide me with all the individual proof of postage receipts.

I am not bothered about proof of postage and only care about the delivery confirmation when the parcel is handed to the end customer, my question is can I just put my parcels straight in a post box without getting them scanned in the post office?

Will the delivery confirmation tracking still work? Will it just mean I won't get proof of postage so can't claim compensation?

Thanks in advance.

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 28 Mar 2020, 21:47

Yes you can, your parcels will get delivered and the tracking will work providing they are scanned at least twice as ready for delivery and delivered, hopefully you won`t need proof of postage if one or more goes missing/gets lost.

brassmonkey · Post by **brassmonkey** » 28 Mar 2020, 21:58

Thank you for the reply.

It concerns me when you say the parcels would need to be scanned twice as currently the tracking goes like this:

- Tracking number provided
- Accepted at Post Office
- Delivered and Signed

If I skip the post office step they will only be scanned once at the "Delivered and Signed" stage.

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 28 Mar 2020, 22:03

No need to be concerned, due to the current situation we no longer do the RFD scan: https://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communi ... 71&t=95068" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

brassmonkey · Post by **brassmonkey** » 28 Mar 2020, 22:11

Even before the current situation the tracking information only ever went as per below:

- Tracking number provided
- Accepted at Post Office
- Delivered and Signed

But thank you for answering my question - as I don't need proof of postage this will save me lots of time being able to put them straight in a post box without having to queue at the post office.

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 28 Mar 2020, 22:26

If your pre-paid 1st class signed large letter labels printed direct from Ebay looks like this:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-l0_JlsV-8/ ... -drop.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That`s not a tracked barcode, it`s a 2 D and it`s scanned by Royal Mail only when delivered.

You have more scans at the post office, we don`t scan those barcodes as ready for delivery.

brassmonkey · Post by **brassmonkey** » 29 Mar 2020, 10:26

Yes my labels do look like the picture in your link.

I have realised that putting them straight in post box may not work for me as around 25% of my parcels the post man doesn't scan the parcel when handing it to the customer so if I skip the post office step then the tracking will never go live.

I have a click and drop account; when the post office scan the click and drop manifest does this make the tracking on all the parcels go live?

Thanks

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 29 Mar 2020, 10:40

brassmonkey wrote: I have a click and drop account; when the post office scan the click and drop manifest does this make the tracking on all the parcels go live?

Thanks

Honestly, I have no idea :(

CyberMarys · Post by **CyberMarys** » 01 Apr 2020, 14:16

I usually drop off around 5-7 parcels at the local RM Collection Depot. These are item sold on eBay and labels bought and printed through eBay as well. A big lot of 1st class and 1st class sign for parcels (around 7 in total) has not been delivered yet (today is 1st April) were dropped off on 25th March. I was told that they are not scanned when I do drop off, so I just wonder what will happen if they won't be delivered to Sorting Depot on time as pre-paid eBay label is valid for 24h only? I've not received a refund (you usually do for labels which were not used) so I presume the parcels are lost in transit. Can someone help and explain what will happen if the parcels are accepted but not scanned at RM or PO? Many thanks in advance!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Apr 2020, 16:38

CyberMarys wrote:I usually drop off around 5-7 parcels at the local RM Collection Depot. These are item sold on eBay and labels bought and printed through eBay as well. A big lot of 1st class and 1st class sign for parcels (around 7 in total) has not been delivered yet (today is 1st April) were dropped off on 25th March. I was told that they are not scanned when I do drop off, so I just wonder what will happen if they won't be delivered to Sorting Depot on time as pre-paid eBay label is valid for 24h only? I've not received a refund (you usually do for labels which were not used) so I presume the parcels are lost in transit. Can someone help and explain what will happen if the parcels are accepted but not scanned at RM or PO? Many thanks in advance!

Unlikely to be lost, more likely delayed due to the impact of Covd19. Parcel levels are at Christmas Plus levels and with sickness and self-isolation of posties, and of course changes in delivery timing and process its all having an impact.

Now the parcels are in the system they should be okay, but don't forget the customer won't be signing for them the postie will scan and endorsed CV19 as the customer collects from the doorstep.

Worst case scenario they'll either be returned to you or a surcharge will be passed to the recipients - both are very unlikely IMHO.

CyberMarys · Post by **CyberMarys** » 01 Apr 2020, 18:01

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. So, even if they are not scanned on time they still should be delivered or return to the sender is that right? I know, it is a really tough and hard time for all Royal Mail workforce and I always do my best to support and help. I treat the staff at my local depot (Cumbernauld) in a very special way (appreciation cards and sweets on regular basis

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 01 Apr 2020, 19:00

CyberMarys wrote: So, even if they are not scanned on time they still should be delivered or return to the sender is that right?

Yes

CyberMarys · Post by **CyberMarys** » 03 Apr 2020, 15:35

Thank you very much for your help. I can see that Royal Mail is coming through some serious turbulences. I'll give you an today's example.
Over an hour ago I've dropped 10 parcels (all of them 1st class sign for and some special delivery).
I don't know what's going on, but lots of them even the special delivery are not scanned at all.
Here's the one I've posted this morning at 9:40am (SE126049692GB) no any information available and tracking says "We're expecting it".
I don't understand that one either (posted 90 min ago SE126052555GB) another posted at the same time (1st class sign for) seems to be OK (KB690233308GB).
Any idea why is has got this status "Returned to Sender" just in 7 min after drop off?!?! I paid extra to have it delivered quickly, but Special Delivery is really letting me down..

Janet Brum · Post by **Janet Brum** » 03 Apr 2020, 21:37

Human error...
Plus coronavirus outbreak ...
Staff shortage...
Christmas like busy for RM...
Equals missing scans...

CyberMarys · Post by **CyberMarys** » 04 Apr 2020, 18:44

Many thanks for all your help. Both Special Deliveries arrived today :)