Postage to Spain and Italy.

[All_Sortz_2013]

Hello, I have had some big problems with item's getting sent to Spain, Italy at the moment.

One of them £100 item it's been sent tracked via Royal Mail and the person who i have sent the item to has said it's not yet arrived but on the tracking number it say's Your item has been posted and is with Italy Postage people thanks for using our service and that date. I ring Royal Mail to ask why there is no signature on this item after all i did pay for that service "Signed for" i ask them to Explain what is going on, then one of there employee's tell me that they don't grantee any signature on any parcels not even special delivery in the UK. How mad is that, I then read on there Website the person who was telling they don't grantee any signature on any parcels not even special delivery is wrong. I ring again and get them to pass me on to the "Manger" of the call place, He even said his employ was wrong and wanted his name Lucky for him i didn't get his name. He then went on to tell me to never send stuff to Spain, Italy with great value as they having problem with there Postage system over. Now why don't they tell this before i send item's over there.

Just thought i would let everyone else know before they do what i have done.

[rsot]

Thanks for the headsup but rough to hear. Begin looking at the options Royal Mail gives for insurance

[Ebayorbust]

I have blocked Spanish and Italian buyers for that very reason. When I did post to these countries about two thirds of stuff sent never seemed to arrive.

[bruceuk]

I ship to Spain and Italy daily however i would never use royal mail and the other countries equiv.
Lots of other options via courier for the same cost and you have a much better chance of it arriving.
UPS rates are about the same to both countries as royal mail and never had a non delivery as yet .. touch wood.

[Ebayorbust]

Cheers Bruce.

However, I send low value and very light items and therefore it isn't worth sending tracked. I use the standard airmail small packet @ £2.70 per item.

I will certainly look at UPS for shipping heavier and more expensive items to Europe.

[997turbo]

I have at least 3-4 parcels sent spain and italy daily for years. i ship via royalmail. spain is much better.like 1-2 package problem for 50-60 package sent. but italy much worse.at least 10 problems out of 50 sent.I have a wholesale clinte from italy, he told me it due to the italia customs check all the packages from italy post even it comes from a E.U. country.if they not happy with your parcel they just take it or throw it away. Also i found some buyer from there not honest.when they received and found you didnt use tracking they will cheat.so should really use courier to italy instead of post.especially untracked post.

[vogeltron]

It is too expensive now in the US for the risk. But Spain and Italy I always had problems with. Even France in some cases. Germany was pretty good as well as the UK. The Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland I never had a problem. It is hit or miss anywhere you ship, it really is trial by error.

[imjustme]

I ship to Spain on a daily basis without problems, for many years now. To Italy I never ship anymore because of problems with Customs, even on legit unbranded products.

If there's no recorded signature, you should file a claim and ask for your money back (shipping fees + damages). Tell Royal Mail that the item never arrived, that will teach them.

[eddie7612]

Hi,

Did you have any luck with the Italy parcel in the end? I sent something to Italy about 2 weeks ago and it doesn't seem to be progressing.

Did you try tracking on the Italian post website? (I don't think this facility is available in English though)

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by eddie7612

Hi,

Did you have any luck with the Italy parcel in the end? I sent something to Italy about 2 weeks ago and it doesn't seem to be progressing.

Did you try tracking on the Italian post website? (I don't think this facility is available in English though)

If you sell items and ship with tracking going to these countries are usually ok. If you ship them at economy post or something trying to save them money high risk of fraud. It is a hit and miss game. I have some countries I ship to others I don't. Been a trial and error process.

[rsot]

Some countries like this I consider shipping ONLY if the buyer pays a premium for tracking, UPS or Fedex involvement - if not, sorry - not worth my time

[thedarkknight]

As eBayorbust mentioned, don't post to Italy or Spain, sadly they are famous for not receiving expensive parcels. I'm not saying everyone over there will do it, but a large chunk do, not worth the hassle.

[vogeltron]

Originally Posted by thedarkknight

As eBayorbust mentioned, don't post to Italy or Spain, sadly they are famous for not receiving expensive parcels. I'm not saying everyone over there will do it, but a large chunk do, not worth the hassle.

Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece. Basically all the countries going through austerity I guess the mail men think it is more lucrative to rip off packages. Have also had problems with France. I would not ship to any of those countries or Eastern Europe without a buyer paying a premium for tracking. Too many item not received cases opened over the years. Like 1 in 3 from my experience. Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Scandinavia have never had a problem with. From time to time i get a item not received from UK or Ireland but very rare. This is my personal experience of 8+ years shipping overseas. For most sellers it is a live and learn experience. The products you are sending can also play a big part in what gets delivered or disappears.

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by Ebayorbust

I have blocked Spanish and Italian buyers for that very reason. When I did post to these countries about two thirds of stuff sent never seemed to arrive.

Add France too.

In order, I would make the no post zone

France

Italy

Spain.

Funnily, I have noticed addresses near to the German border have a better chance of arriving for the French delivery.

[Ebayorbust]

I've never had a problem with the French (on ebay anyway lol).

[rsot]

France has been nice for me in general though

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by rsot

France has been nice for me in general though

Agree there

La Belle France

[Ebayorbust]

Absolutely. I just find that when I go on holiday there most of them can't be bothered speaking English. Selfish lot.

At least the Spanish and Greek make an effort when it comes to maximising the enjoyment of my holiday. Many of my fellow UKers return the favour by spending huge amounts of money on cheap booze and fighting with each other, keeping both the local police and hospital workers in gainful employment.

It's a win, win for everyone.

[a.v.limited]

italy is a pain as apparently they never get the goods, spain seems fine

teh french are always a pain as they never speak english even if they know how to. Basically typical french