to expect first class post to be quicker than "3 - 5" days??

[lilolilmanchester]

took a couple of parcels to the post office today, hoping they'd arrive tomorrow when recipients wouldn't be at work so could take delivery. Post office lady told me first class now means delivery within 3-5 days. WTF?!

I totally agree, for the extortionate amount that postage costs (often far more than the parcel contents) I think they should be able to guarantee delivery next day (assuming you don't post it last thing the day before) so 1-2 days is reasonable IMO.

The post office is bloody useless actually - I am so sick of people not getting presents that I send even though I send them well in advance and pay a bloody fortune to post them.

I sent my mother a MD gift on Wed. - am fully expecting her to tell me it has not yet arrived.

I don't think it means it will necessarily take that long though. I've sent stuff 1st class that has arrived next day. Something I ordered online on Weds arrived this morning. I think if you wanted it to arrive tomorrow you would have to pay etra for net day delivery but that has always been the case. I don;t think they've every guaranteed next day delivery with 1st class.

If you want guaranteed next day delivery, you have to pay for it. Special delivery. Suck It up, or use a different company.

am with OP on this though... fair enough paying extra for next day delivery when ordering online, but 1st class was never 3 - 5 days

(when sending stuff through the post office I mean)

YANBU. To add to insult, the prices are a bloody rip off too.

I've noticed this when I occasionally purchase items from eBay. Pay for first class then email states "item will arrive within 5-7 days."

The Post Office only takes in mail to pass it on to Royal Mail who actually handle and deliver it. I sent a parcel weighing nearly 700g the other day 1st class to Scotland for £2.70. For that price I would be quite happy for it to take 3 days.
When the Government privatise Royal Mail the prices will at least double and deliveries will take longer.

royal mail 1st class is normally (I think 92% of time) next day as you posted on friday it may not get there Saturday not working sunday so should arrive monday which is 3 days from friday but technically the next working day

i'm north of glasgow if I post my mum near birmingham anything 1st class it arrives at 9am if second it on average arrives within 2 days

i send all ebay parcels 2nd class most over 90% arrive within 2-3 days 3 days is standard for 2nd class target which they exceeded last year is 95% by 3rd working day

ebay factors in sellers dispatch time so if you have 3 days dispatch time plus 2 days that is 5 days with second they had 3-5 days to dispaptch time

I am selling stuff that finishes tonight on ebay I have 2 days dispatch time so estimated arrival on listing is thursday/friday ie 13th/14th next week, so in theory if pay immediately latest dispatch time is tuesday add on 3 days for 2nd class = friday

some private sellers have 4-5 days dispatch times

to my mind you should not offer 1st class post unless you can post next day
I do not want to make extra for 1st class post tonight only to be told you do not post till thursday

"If you think the prices are a rip-off, maybe you should deliver the letter yourself? Or find another firm that will do it cheaper? " .... but the point being that first class used to be a) a fraction of the price and b) better expected delivery than 3 - 5 days. And the whole point is that I COULD deliver it way cheaper, looking at fuel costs for 250 mile round journey.. and that's just one parcel, going a long way.... not the smartest comment Hillbilly

250 miles - 10p a mile for fuel alone. Not including wear and tear on car and your time.

parcel cost £25 to post, did it?

but since when did the PO deliver 1 parcel at a time??? there'll be several hundred day doing that route ...