Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To expect my Royal Mail parcels to be delivered?

40 replies

Leighwalk · 15/04/2020 20:34

Three, this last week - to family - have just not arrived.

Posted on the 31st of March.

One delivered - but recipients 'not in' so have requested a redelivery. RM rang today - they don't really know where the parcel is.

The other was 3 packets of seeds - just to keep my elderly parents busy at home in their garden; posted alongside another parcel which has arrived.

The third a treat for a friend - nothing arrived.
I know they will be busy, I'm a key worker too - just feeling a bit fed up that I have tried to help others - and it hasn't happened.

Am I being unreasonable in expecting my parcels to be delivered?

OP posts:

Myfriendanxiety · 15/04/2020 20:36

My postman rang my bell and left a parcel on my doorstep today. A second item that was coming via Royal Mail said “address unaccessible” so it has been taken to the delivery office!

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/04/2020 20:39

I'd say posting completely inessential items at the moment is unreasonable.

PawPawNoodle · 15/04/2020 20:41

Why did you post 2 parcels to your parents rather than putting it all in one?

HavelockVetinari · 15/04/2020 20:42

Ah no @MrsTerryPratchett, you're the Voice Of Reason - I thought posting was fine as long as social distancing and protective equipment for postal workers are applied...?

Caramel78 · 15/04/2020 20:45

I had stuff delivered today by Royal Mail for the first time in about 16 days

Ahwig · 15/04/2020 20:45

My post office said things are getting through but delayed as obviously postal workers are getting sick or self isolating

NoraEphronsneck · 15/04/2020 20:46

I had a letter today which was posted first class on march 24th. I think you just have to be patient.

NoParticularPattern · 15/04/2020 20:49

Post is incredibly slow round here at the moment. I ordered a small part to repair some machinery about 10 days ago and it has yet to materialise. Mind you I also ordered a first aid kit and some files to store paperwork for the office and they arrived next day. I think stuff I really hit and miss at the moment. Seemingly mostly miss but I guess they’re struggling with staff absence and increased volume making it a bit of a double whammy

Original poster

Leighwalk · 15/04/2020 20:50

The two parcels to my parents were because one was already wrapped to go, so rather than open it up - the seeds just went in a small plastic wallet and were posted too.

MrsT I thought carefully about posting at this time - but figured for MH, these were essential. My parents, especially, are isolated from all of the family and I thought ( after reading on SM about planting sunflowers to bring joy in the summer)that this would give them something to go out into their garden to do, plant now, water overtime, enjoy when they flower.

OP posts:

concernedforthefuture · 15/04/2020 20:53

Lots of postal staff are off sick / self isolating. Many delivery offices have had to reduce the number of staff that can work at any given time due to social distancing. Royal Mail is very busy delivering essential medicines as well as all the increased post due to people shopping online / sending gifts because they can't get out in person.

I'm sorry but yes, you are being a bit unreasonable.

RunningNinja79 · 15/04/2020 20:53

Saw something on FB. A postal worker said it was worse than Christmas at the moment. The postal system has slowed down a lot.

Malvinaa81 · 15/04/2020 20:54

I have a postman who has trudged round delivering every day.

I'd say don't order anything important, and don't be surprised if normal service can't be maintained.

The man I see may even be putting himself at risk- it's a dilemma for us all.

spongebunnyfatpants · 15/04/2020 20:55

1st class appears to be normal, but 2nd class seems to be taking nearly 2 weeks.
Its frustrating, but understandable.

jcurve · 15/04/2020 20:58

There is a huge % of Royal Mail postmen either sick or self isolating. They’ve had to ask desk based staffers from HQ to do shifts delivering mail. A friend has volunteered & says it’s surprisingly hard to deliver mail quickly & accurately if you’re not familiar with a street.

We are getting mail no more than once or twice a week right now. It’s just the way it is & unlikely to get better any time soon.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/04/2020 20:58

you're the Voice Of Reason

Bugger. I'd think a bit more carefully if i knew that!

Wash your hands before posting. Or something. Aaarrghh. Now there's too much pressure

delilahbucket · 15/04/2020 21:03

Everything is hit and miss. I've had first class take eight days to arrive, I've had it take three. As someone who is running a business using royal mail, I am sick of "where is my order" messages after a couple of days. Royal Mail are doing their best, they are short staffed, with Christmas proportions of post, and many delivery offices are closed for cleaning. Add to that, most areas are not delivering or collecting on Saturdays. Things take as long as they take at the moment.

Bdayupset · 15/04/2020 21:20

Posted a bday package to my mum on Saturday, she got it yesterday. No complaints here.

Applejaxx · 15/04/2020 21:28

What do you expect them to do OP? They are very stretched at the moment with staff sick and self isolating, we are only getting post every other day if we are lucky.

cologne4711 · 15/04/2020 21:28

I sent my mum her birthday card this week for later next week. Sounds like it might get there on time, but I am glad I erred on the side of caution and sent it so early.

vanillandhoney · 15/04/2020 21:28

There are real delays with post at the moment, you just need to be patient. Lots of postal workers are off sick and with social distancing etc. everything is a lot harder.

That being said, DPD seem to be managing absolutely fine.

StrawberriCream · 15/04/2020 21:36

I'm a postie, usually part time, I'm now asked if I am well to go in 6 days a week for 12+ hours a day rather than 2 days a week for 8 hours a day. It's bloody hard work, heavy parcels people ordering anything and everything - the only upside is most people are in. We are trying our best. Please try and be patient and kind

marydtf · 15/04/2020 21:55

Also a postie, re DPD doing fine - they only deliver parcels. We still have all the normal mail, leaflets, addresses junk mail shots on top of mountains of parcels to deliver. Some areas of the country such as London and other cities and large towns have major problems with 50% staff off sick and those that are working being asked to do more and more in very often dangerous circumstances. There is a limit to how many people can be in a work space at a time, only 1 man per van has a huge impact in towns and all this without being able to wash our hands once we've left the office so therefore unable to follow the government's guidelines. We are trying our best.
Regarding parcels that have 'disappeared' in transit- unless you send something special delivery or tracked (but think this is only available to certain businesses) it is impossible to know where your item is until it has been delivered or an attempt has been made to do so. Recorded items are not traceable until delivery attempted.
Many of us have families or vulnerable people that we dread taking this virus home to but we dont have the option to 'Stay Home and Protect the NHS' because we are too busy delivering your items.
I love my job and my customers but please see this from our point of view too. 3 postmen have died so far from this virus, I bet their families wish they could have stayed home

DamnYouAutoCarrot · 15/04/2020 22:12

@marydtf your post really made me stop and think. Thank you for all you all you and your colleagues are doing.

LoadsaBlusher · 15/04/2020 22:15

I’m in Scotland and my DC have been posting little letters and drawings to grandparents , using first class stamps and popping into postbox and they have been arriving the next day.

We are posting within the local area though around 10 miles away so not sure if this is relevant.

Original poster

Leighwalk · 15/04/2020 22:15

I do appreciate that RM are short staffed and putting themselves at risk-as I said I am a critical worker too and thank those all around me that are continuing to work. I am working 12 hour days and haven't had a day off in the last 10 - so I do understand.

I seem to have some hope after reading PP's information. I'm not worried about parcels taking longer - I was sad that they might be lost completely. I'll be more patient - 15 days - maybe they will still arrive.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2