To not have a clue what this "tracking message" means

[Somethingfantastic89]

Shamelessly posting here for traffic as Royal Mail is doing my head in!

I'm expecting an item I ordered from Notonthehighstreet. They've said they dispatched the item and sent me a tracking number. Now whenever I enter this number on the Royal Mail tracking site, I get

An update will only be provided when we attempt to deliver your item

WHAT on earth does this mean?
The RM website has a section of "what does my tracking message mean" but this message isn't on there.
I've contacted the sender and they've said to call RM and check with them.
I've tried to call Royal Mail but all I get is an automated message that says "please read your reference number out loud" but no matter how loud or clear I am, this machine JUST WON'T GET IT RIGHT!!

Anyone knows what this tracking message mean? "An update will only be provided when we attempt to deliver your item"? Should I assume my item is lost (it's two days late now)?

It means that when they've tried to deliver your parcel they'll update it

Yes I get that cake but usually I can see where the parcel is, on its way etc. Does this message mean that they have it and it's at one of their centres? Also, I've been seeing this message for two days now, and since I've paid for it to be delivered on time, they should've "attempted" to deliver it already.

Yep if you ever need anyone to state the obvious... here I am

I Would call RM again and just mash buttons until you get through to someone

Oh good idea!!!!!

Sounds to me like they will only update it when it has left the dispatch centre for delivery - looks like it's not even out for delivery yet!

Funny with so much progress in technology we still need to mash buttons but I'm going to try that right now.

You might be right derelict what's the point in paying extra to get items on time. I know it's Christmas time and they're very busy but they shouldn't offer the option if they can't keep the promise?

cake I mashed the buttons and the machine quit on me lol it said "sorry I don't know what you mean, please track your item on our website, good bye" and hung up at least I frustrated it as much as it frustrated me losing the plot

Goddammit they're onto me.
Can you choose a different option where you don't have to give a tracking number and see if you can get through?
Maybe they can then transfer to another dept if necessary?

The machines are onto us, we live in the matrix

I'm afraid all the options lead to Rome, I mean to the machine. Maybe there aren't any real people answering phones anymore.

RM has been a total shit show this year. I sell on NOTHS and closed early because so many parcels were arriving late and i didn't want to be accused of 'ruining someone's Christmas'.

It's probably been sent signed for, not tracked and signed, meaning you will only get an update once they have either tried to deliver it or successfully delivered it.

Thanks for that Jan, at least now I understand. If it was sent only signed for, then obviously there will be no tracking info on the website yet.
Although the email I got from NOTHS gives a reference number for tracking. I'll just put it down to human error and cross my fingers the item arrives on time.

It's a problem with their website : everyone is having this issue. Google the phrase and you'll see!

Lots of websites struggling today : took me none attempts to order emergency tree light replacements...

piggy that gives me hope. Maybe it's just a website issue and the item is actually on its way.

It sounds like it's not a tracked item but rather a signed for / recorded delivery item. The only tracked point these items have are when the items are scanned at your doorstep. This type of postage is about confirmation of delivery not tracking the item every step of the way.

I've tried to call Royal Mail but all I get is an automated message that says "please read your reference number out loud" but no matter how loud or clear I am, this machine JUST WON'T GET IT RIGHT!!

Reminds me of that sketch with the voice activated lift... "Eleven!!"
Sorry OP

Mine had that arrived the next day..
Have faith.

I have Lego delivery problems today. They notified me it shipped on Monday when actually the set hasn't left Germany....not ruined Christmas I grant you, but some inventive letters from Father Christmas will be printed off in work today explaining the delay!

Their website is rubbish. It says every Post Office is open all week and all day Saturday even when they are shut, so customers think you are lying and shout at you. And their online payment system for when the stamp falls off has died. But you only find that out after you've filled in 3 pages of forms.

Some of the 'signed for' items I have posted in the last few weeks have shown up on tracking as received at the Post Office and then vanished. I check when I sent something as often they will fail to deliver and be taken back to the sorting office with no card left, and that is during non-holiday times.

Eventually they seem to show as delivered, but they have not been scanned en route. It is very hit & miss.

I've normally got through to them on this number.

03457 740 740

That's the number I called too Jaytee, I'm going to try again today as I still haven't received my item and Notonthehighstreet keeps telling me it should arrive "tomorrow". SO annoying.

Did you actually get to talk to someone Jaytee? I keep being asked to press 1 and press 2 and then all I get is the automated message that won't get the reference number right.

My ndn is a postie. He brought our mail home yesterday as there was no postie available to work our route. And there was a small parcel in there for me.

You would think that they would be able to plan for Christmas by now.

Update: the parcel arrived today. Very late but oh well, at least it's on time for Christmas