Recorded or Special Delivery

[Bronze]

Is it worth paying extra for using special delivery?

It seems you can actually track the parcel/mail opposed to recorded which can only track a signature. Also there's the guaranteed next day delivery.

I called royal mail and enquired about their tracked service but was told I need to have proof that I'm sending/spending a certain amount before they can put me on that tariff. As a new set up I have no trading history so that's not feasible.

The value of items I'll be sending are £50+(retail value) so really don't want any "lost" parcels but obviously special delivery would almost double shipping costs.

Any experience from the forum members would be much appreciated.

 

[deniser]

Given that 1st class recorded insures you for £46 wholesale value - they won't pay retail value, sending special is only really worth it for parcels over £100 - even then probably not if you factor in how many get lost - or when the customer needs it the next day in which case they should pay the extra.

 

[Websitehandyman]

All postage option give 60 times the stamp value or is it 100 times last time I checked. SD is pointless in most cases unless to need there by 9am next day.

 

[a1anm]

I agree. Unless you need next day delivery Special Delivery isn't work it. I think it adds about £3 to the parcel.

So if the item your sending is worth £300 to you (not retail value) Royal Mail would need to be losing 1 in every 150 packages to make this worthwhile. We find they lose things much less than this.

 

[shaununo]

I would just stick with signed for postage if items are retail at £50 plus, I have never had any problems with signed for postage in two years, IF sending items upto the value of £150 to companies, I also just used signed for postage but if just johnny smith at his house i would send special delivery if package worth over £100.

 

[P4D | Parcels4Delivery]

Are you sending something over a few kgs? In which case you can use a courier and track it all the way - for example, you can send parcels on a Next Day with City Link for only £6.99, so it's not costly. If anything does happen to get lost (this is rare) then we'll deal with the claim on your behalf )