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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why Royal Mail are accepting parcels at this point?

140 replies

LivIoe · 16/12/2022 10:36

Surely it’s time to stop, and clear backlog? I’ve had no post on a month, parcels posted in mid-November haven’t arrived.

Social media shows crazy pile ups.

I don’t begrudge the strikers, but surely the company needs to pause at this point?

Im also amazed small businesses are still using them frankly- I’ve had a regular order today dispatched with Royal Mail… I’m not hopeful it’ll arrive

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 16/12/2022 10:37

YANBU at all.

OnlyFannys · 16/12/2022 10:39

It's weird as I'm getting some stuff that has been ordered more recently but not stuff ordered in November.

gingercat02 · 16/12/2022 10:49

I have had RM post and a parcel earlier this week (postal strike Wed/Thurs) They have brought forward last posting dates, I'm not concerned particularly

GeneratedRandomly · 16/12/2022 10:50

The old stuff is piled outside sorting offices in heaps, a lot of it has been wrecked by the weather.

The new stuff arrives and is delivered because it is at the edge of the heaps while the old stuff stays where it is, with foxes climbing over it and rats chewing it.

It is in the news. It is worse in certain areas.

I have still been getting packages, a bit late but they have arrived. All except one so far, however I have also requested that people use Evri or Yodel to send my purchases where possible. Those have arrived promptly, I know some areas are also having problems with Evri.

PingPongMerrilyWithPie · 16/12/2022 10:51

Same experience here, stuff ordered this week has arrived. I guess the things at the bottom of the pile are just getting buried. The small business I ordered from has discounted its tracked service slightly and is sending everything through that. Good judgement I think.

I hope they don't stop taking things though. A Jan birthday is bad enough without people being unable to send you cards.

uhOhOP · 16/12/2022 10:53

LivIoe · 16/12/2022 10:36

Surely it’s time to stop, and clear backlog? I’ve had no post on a month, parcels posted in mid-November haven’t arrived.

Social media shows crazy pile ups.

I don’t begrudge the strikers, but surely the company needs to pause at this point?

Im also amazed small businesses are still using them frankly- I’ve had a regular order today dispatched with Royal Mail… I’m not hopeful it’ll arrive

Small businesses still use Royal Mail because other carriers are inferior, however poor Royal Mail sometimes appears to be.

GeneratedRandomly · 16/12/2022 10:53

I can't see RM recovering from this. Assume compensation will be due for all the ruined post, plus they want to stop Saturday deliveries of letters. Companies are changing to other couriers, except probably those that are unable to switch for financial reasons. It is going to ruin some businesses and will have destroyed their reputation.

HereWeGoAgainnnn · 16/12/2022 10:54

I dont understand this either.
And come to think of it, I have recieved any post in weeks.
I have recieved a few emails about things that have been dispatched.. I'm not expecting to see these items until after Christmas :)

Dotjones · 16/12/2022 10:56

YABU because people know by know that if they use Royal Mail there's a high chance of a significant delay. I don't think the answer to dealing with the backlog is to refuse to accept more parcels, by that logic the way to deal with the operations backlog in the NHS would be to refuse new patients until they've caught up.

In either case people can pay more to get a better service.

Janieread · 16/12/2022 10:57

We are a business and we are still using them, because we've had years and years of fantastic service from them. Be angry with the RM bosses, not the system, which is excellent. The courier companies demand a subscription and as we are a seasonal business it would be completely unsustainable.

Frabbits · 16/12/2022 10:58

Fairly obviously, because they are a business and need the money coming in.

RidingMyBike · 16/12/2022 11:01

It's really variable. We've received and sent Christmas cards to a certain part of the country and second class has gone through in two days. That was within the last week. Perhaps depends how many staff are on strike at some sorting offices?

XelaM · 16/12/2022 11:01

Was just about to post how I'm waiting for loads of my daughter's Christmas presents that were ordered in November, but one just arrived thank goodness! Another 4 to go... 🎅😬

h78 · 16/12/2022 11:09

I was just wondering how long to wait before declaring the parcels as 'lost'? I've been waiting for a parcel that was supposed to be delivered on the 7th, ordered 26th November. I suspect this is one of the bottom of the pile parcels.

LlynTegid · 16/12/2022 11:10

It should not just be Royal Mail, indeed other parcel carriers should be stopping first.

I advocate that you should be told the parcel carrier when you place any online order, before you pay.

Garysmum · 16/12/2022 11:25

GeneratedRandomly · 16/12/2022 10:53

I can't see RM recovering from this. Assume compensation will be due for all the ruined post, plus they want to stop Saturday deliveries of letters. Companies are changing to other couriers, except probably those that are unable to switch for financial reasons. It is going to ruin some businesses and will have destroyed their reputation.

I also assume some compensation will be due by RM for lost/ruined post. It used to be that parcels were covered for up to £20.
If you have bought from a business - as a customer your contract is with the business and not the carrier. This might have a big impact on those businesses too. They will be looking to RM for compensation.

AutumnDragon · 16/12/2022 11:25

To the PPs who mention they have had recent post but not older post. There are two reasons for this.

  1. They work on a last in first out basis, so all those trolleys and sacks you see, they are not going to be worked on, as the next days post is being piled on top of it. If the next day is a strike day (or 2), then the post that arrives will just add to the pile
  2. RM get measured by how much is delivered on time. So once post is late it doesn't matter if it is 1 day late or a 100 days late. So they deliver the new stuff first for the metrics.

Also, for those mentioning compensation - remember that all businesses, from small one person companies up to multi nationals, that use RM business rates cannot claim compensation.

I am one of the small one person businesses, and whether I can ever reopen again (I gave up on the 8th, despite this period accounting for a third of my revenue) will depend on how many more refunds I am going to have to give.

Feelinghothothottoohot · 16/12/2022 11:38

I just had some parcels delivered but still missing. A Christmas present.

My postie just said that if I have any more parcels to send then use another company because they are in dire straits with rats and foxes in the warehouse where the parcels are stored...😬

mickandrorty · 16/12/2022 11:41

it is a shit show! i have had no letters for over 2 weeks we are waiting on a replacement card which is nearly at the 28 days to activate time now, solicitor letters & paperwork to claim back 2k that was fraudulently taken from our account! parcels sent 3 weeks ago, one of which was marked as delivered and when I contacted them to say it had not been delivered at all they said it was accidently marked as delivered but is at depot due to be delivered soon (that was 4 days ago still not here) My daughter ordered something on Monday it was here today!! So as somebody above said i assume things are just being dumped on top and orders from last month are buried underneath!

IWannaKnowWhatHappensNext · 16/12/2022 11:42

@AutumnDragon you have my sympathy, we are in a similar boat here. We shut around the 8th as well, as we were getting too many enquiries and requests for refunds. I've messaged lots of people saying that we couldn't stay open because we were losing too much money doing so, and confirming that we would give refunds when items were lost, and asking that they wait a bit longer if possible. Most have been understanding when they've realised the position we are in, but it's just so frustrating. As you say, so many lost sales - and lost items probably - at the one time of year you really don't need it. Let's hope things settle down and we sellers can carry on in the New Year

Soothsayer1 · 16/12/2022 11:47

I have customers in the USA and I'm finding that tracked mail is still getting through although it's taking longer
Very upsetting because I think this is going to put me out of business too😖

Rowgtfc72 · 16/12/2022 11:51

Posted a parcel 430pm mon, first class, thankfully its arrived today.
I have friends who are posties. This is no fun for them either.

Soothsayer1 · 16/12/2022 12:03

I support the posties, absolutely 💌📮
even so I'm concerned that this is getting very messed up ☹️

Wakk · 16/12/2022 12:04

Our postie has been working all week. It's a crap situation all round.