You may wonder why you need to consider any other postal options than the basic Royal Mail services; but failure to make the right choice of postal service could seriously compromise your communications.

The BBC reported in 2004 that consumer group Postwatch estimated 14.4million packages were lost every year by the Royal Mail; this figure has been improving, but it is still not satisfactory for most businesses. What if that lost package is a vital contract or payment, what if it arriving late means losing customers or facing late payment charges?

This issue was brought to our attention after experiencing a number of problems with Royal Mail deliveries, including several large parcels being lost, and one left out in the rain where it became severely damaged.

While the majority of deliveries arrive safely and on time, we believe these problems are serious enough for you to be made aware of them; and help you make the right choice for your deliveries.

There are two things you can do to help ensure your post arrives safely and on time:

1. Change postage method

2. Change delivery company

Postage Method

The method of posting that you choose affects not only the delivery time, but your ability to track the package and the amount of compensation you can claim if it is lost or late. The prices and details here are for Royal Mail services, but most other couriers will have similar services with varying details. These posting methods are for letters and smaller packages/parcels. Large standard parcels are sent through Parcelforce, but these can also be sent using other delivery/courier companies in the same way; although the services may be slightly different.

Standard Post

Standard posting offers you little in the way of protection and no tracking whatsoever; the item is simply picked up and delivered with no record of it ever being made. The maximum you can claim if an item is lost or damaged is £28.

Recorded Post

An item sent recorded post is a little better protected. The item is logged at posting and is signed for on delivery; allowing you to confirm it has arrived. There is no tracking of the item at any other point; it basically travels with the standard post until it is signed for on delivery.

The maximum compensation available on a recorded item is £28 unless additional insurance is taken (adding 75p to £3 to a parcel’s postage costs, depending on the item weight). However, you cannot claim for compensation until after 15 working days, which makes sending a replacement package or claiming a refund more difficult.

Special Delivery

A special delivery item (up to 2kg for 9am delivery and 10kg for next-day) has much more security, it is tracked at posting and along most of the journey; allowing you to stay updated with where the package is by phone or the internet.

The maximum compensation for a special delivery item is £500, although you can increase this for an extra cost; and if the item is delivered after the specified time (9am or 1pm depending on which service you use) the following day your postage costs are refunded. The postage costs are about twice as much as standard delivery.

Article Index
1. Sending Business Post - Postage Methods
2. Choosing a Delivery Company