Click and Drop - do you still use Recorded delivery (signature required)

[DanH]

Hi, I'm trying to get my head around whether we should offer and send out using recorded delivery once we make the full transition to Click and Drop.

In my mind, the fact that all domestic post gets a scannable 2D barcode that will confirm delivery, I'm wondering the usefulness of the recorded signature required service. C&D told me that the 'signature required' is still an option on CRL24/CRL48 but does anyone still use it or offer it to their customers?

Thanks

Dan

 

[DontAsk]

We don't use C&D but never pay extra for signature for UK destinations and have lost only two parcels in 15+ years.

 

[DefinitelyMaybeUK]

Perhaps factor in the weight and value of what you're sending and enquire about Tracked 24/48 with your account manager, as this is a fixed price based on your guestimate of average packet weight across the year: the Tracked 24 compensation is double I believe than standard signed-for and as a business service should get delivered on a Saturday (which RM touted they were going to stop for 'standard' mail). The use of Tracked services also count towards the RM eligibility for things like free collection. We post tracked 24 with quite a wide range of values and weights from sub 1kg to 5kg+ all for the same price - the recipient will also get email/sms notifications if you send them through to CnD too, but it really depends on your goods and customers expectations

[edit - there is no published price for Tracked 24/48 it is bespoke for your average qty and weight expectations and will get reviewed yearly if you don't meet them]

 

[DanH]

Thanks, it isn't really about the compensation rather proof of delivery for some items. I had it in my head that basic 2D tracking could literally replace Recorded as it provides us with what Recorded gives us but wondered if there were any holes in my thinking!

 

[Solve My Problem]

The RM tracking on 24/48 is hit and miss. We have clients who use Amazon and often drop below the tracking threshold due to late or non-existing reporting.

It only shows a delivery scan, it doesn't update during collection etc...

Tracked is a much better service than signed for and is cheaper with a business account.

Most businesses don't need tracked/signed for, although depends on the cost of the items etc.. and what your overall aim is in using a service.

 

[paulears]

Anything over a hundred quid goes parcelforce 48 so the compensation works for me, and while 48 can be a joke sometimes, the only other solution is Royal Mail tracked. Royal Mail signed for isnt signed for post covid and they get misdelivered. Often there is no information at all until they are delivered, just a passing through the system, which is what you get once the label is printed. Tracked on the over 1kg parcels makes it very expensive and a 2kg package is worth delivering if the buyer is localish.

 

[MBE2017]

Many recorded items are signed by the postie, so not as good as a parcel carrier IMO as proof of delivery.

I used to use recorded on all deliveries pre covid, out of the internet sales now, but I used recorded delivery to reduce the time wasted tracking and tracing “lost items”.

Unfortunately people are not very honest these days, and would make a lot of spurious non delivered claims. By sending recorded, that number was drastically reduced, the customer paid and I got a lot more time to concentrate on sales.

 

[AlanJ1]

We don't use C&D but never pay extra for signature for UK destinations and have lost only two parcels in 15+ years.

Can you teach me?

We have just had to do 15 refunds in the last 24 hours as a full sack seems to be lost and there will be more to come. Had this happen last year as well a week before Christmas.

We usually refund 1 in every 200 parcels for non delivery on large letter / small parcel Royal Mail 48.

 

[AlanJ1]

The RM tracking on 24/48 is hit and miss. We have clients who use Amazon and often drop below the tracking threshold due to late or non-existing reporting.

It only shows a delivery scan, it doesn't update during collection etc...

You don't need tracked to meet Amazons VTR (yet). 24/48 works fine. You drop below (between 80 and 90%) however Amazon have confirmed they won't suspended anyone (and I haven't heard of anyone being suspended) for being lower as long as a valid tracking number is provided.
Amazon I believe are checking with Royal Mails API that the tracking's that don't have a scan are actually real tracking numbers.

Amazons official stance: -

• Check your tracking/parcel ID: Always make sure that you or your integrator provides the correct name of your shipping service provider, the delivery service used and the tracking or parcel ID. You may receive a Valid Tracking Rate warning as a result of low scan rate. However, we will validate ‘unscanned’ tracking or parcel IDs with the integrated delivery service provider prior to suspending your offers in the affected category. Your offers will not be suspended if you have provided valid IDs, including for all parcels that have not been scanned by the carrier. This includes delivery confirmation only delivery methods (for example, RM 24 / 48 or 1st Class 2nd Class). As mentioned in FAQ 3, postage stamps and other untracked services are not taken into account when measuring your Valid Tracking Rate.

 

[Rob-Ed]

We no longer even offer 'Signed For' as an option. Waste of money, as already mentioned RM aren't asking for signatures post Covid and you get no compensation if the package is a signed for 24 or 48 and it goes missing. If you're using 1st class/2nd class I believe you can claim £20 or so for a loss but most businesses find the rates and services better for 24/48 than 1st/2nd. (I think VAT status may also make one more appealing than the other). We've found far fewer packages 'go missing' now there are 2D barcodes involved.

 

[DanH]

Thanks, I think that's sorted it in my head now, I'll drop recorded. Anything of value, a bit like Paul's methodology, will go RM Special Delivery like we do now anyway.