Personal: Postal Delays

It seems the package I sent by Special Delivery yesterday failed to arrive on time (“we’ll give you your money back if we haven’t attempted to deliver your item by 12 noon”). Between 11am and midday, I was talking to my GESF and then she had to go and do something – but before she went, she confirmed that the parcel hadn’t been delivered nor had a card been put through the door (and she had been in all day). However, she did tell me that the presents I sent her on Saturday finally arrived (6 days after posting).

So, I tootle off to the Royal Mail’s Track And Trace service to see exactly what has happened. What did it say? “A delivery was attempted for your item with reference [PACKAGE NUMBER] in [GESF’S TOWN] before 11:45 on 20/12/02 and we have advised the recipient that the item is now at their local Royal Mail enquiry office.” *shocked*

I call GESF and she confirms that there has been no delivery attempt made and that there has been no card left. Hmm, I call the Royal Mail’s confirmation of delivery line (0845 700 1200) and they re-iterate the Track And Trace message. However, they do give me the number of the sorting office in [GESF’s TOWN] which I call. Engaged, Engaged, Engaged, rings – receiver lifted – receiver replaced, Engaged, Engaged, rings – receiver lifted – background noise, Engaged, Engaged, Engaged… After 20 minutes, I eventually manage to get hold of a human being. I explain the situation and they put me through to someone else. I explain the situation once again and they say that because GESF lives in a flat, they might have rung the wrong doorbell and put the card through the wrong door (and, yes, they do have the package back at the sorting office).

I give GESF another call to see how separate the doors are – and she tells me her front door is a distance away from the other entrance and is clearly marked. I call the sorting office back – tell them I’ve just called and that I am getting the impression that they didn’t even make a delivery attempt and they say they’ll sort it out and re-arrange for delivery ASAP (previously they said they’ll re-attempt tomorrow, but I insisted that was just not good enough and why should I pay for a service that does not live up to the paid guarantee).

I hang up and then think “I just hope they do realise which package I meant” (as I didn’t repeat the ‘package code’ or the destination address). 10 minutes later and GESF calls back and tells me she’s just said goodbye to a very very apologetic postman who said that the person who attempted to deliver the package earlier tried to deliver it to the wrong address (and, hence, GESF’s neighbours are now going to be wondering what package the post office is holding for them).

Phew! 45 minutes late, but at least it got there… However, we continue chatting and I find out she sent me a Christmas card on Monday (by first class post) and it still hasn’t arrived here.. *sigh*. Given Royal Mail’s track record, I’m guessing it’ll be here either Monday or Tuesday (based on the ‘6 days for first class’ thoughts).