royal mail

[arshavin]

This question is for everyone who uses royal mail. What service of theres do you use?

I use second class recorded for my items as i am wary of customers saying they didnt receive when they did. But i have noticed that alot of ebay sellers just send via regular post without signed for.

What do you guys use? If you use standard post, do items get lost much? I'm thinking i might save money in the long run if i use regular post.

[rsot]

Yes you save money but the potential for loss, ⊗⊗⊗⊗ claims of non-receipt, etc. are present and real (yes there are buyers who will screw around with you).

Honestly, I analyze each situation as I send out and base my decision on value of the item, buyer's profile, etc. Of course, when I sent an item that is over 1 kg (here in Canada anyhow), I have no choice but to send it with tracking so yes, in general my shipping gets pricey - tis the biz.

[Stigger]

when i use the p.o i use first class signed for or special delivery, larger packages i use parcel force 24/48.

We are all susceptible to on line fraud, I'm dam sure I'm not going to put the ball further in there court.

[arshavin]

Damn, i just sent loads by regular mail today for the first time. I bet this comes back to bite me in the ass.

[oompaloompa]

I use every single PO service, depending on the price of goods, things over £10, I usually send recorded, the rest 1st class. I have had virtually no non receipts, generally people are v honest IMO, Most importantly send within stated time and by stated means and people are happy.

[Stigger]

Originally Posted by arshavin

Damn, i just sent loads by regular mail today for the first time. I bet this comes back to bite me in the ass.

maybe, depends what you sell, other people seem to do it without tracking but i tend to think they are really low value items that they can send out again, like cloned software on cd

[sax4]

I use second class Recorded for cheap stuff, special for expensive stuff, small packets for international cheap stuff, and int signed for for expensive international stuff.

I don't do too much posting though, as I dropship.

[lucrative]

Depending on the size of items and the volumes your sending it may be worth approaching a courier like UK mail or Interink - both of who offer bagged services from £4 (£3.50 if your volumes are high enough) which is similar to royal mails standard parcel but is trackable, signed for and has compensation as standard.

[ryanba]

When I was last selling - I was using 2nd class standard as it I would have been making losses as I was mostly selling wallets, for bigger items I was using 1st class recorded or Special Delivery where possible.

If the buyer had little or no feedback for example I had an order for a book from a buyer in Norway but they used a UK address, I sent it recorded delivery, you need to whigh up the risks against the positives.

[oompaloompa]

I agree, interlink are a great, I use them for heavier items.

[Stigger]

me too i have used them, good service but that is when i was sending 20-30 items a day, oh those were the days.

[arshavin]

I sent lots by normal post around the £20 mark. Fingers crossed i dont get burnt much.

[Paddymac]

you can send 1st or 2nd class standard but fill out a proof of postage form in the PO, this is free but you can then claim compo from the post office if stuff does not arrive. It takes time to get the compo but each item is covered upto about £32 free.

[theredi]

depends on the buyer,if they look dodgy,low feedback,or an old account with low feedback,or from a place i feel is dodgey ill send signed for delivery.
if they have 100% feedback i generally just send it with proof of postage.
tho if youre sending anything thats worth alot you should send it signed for delivery,you should charge for this anyway.

[ryanba]

Originally Posted by Paddymac

you can send 1st or 2nd class standard but fill out a proof of postage form in the PO, this is free but you can then claim compo from the post office if stuff does not arrive. It takes time to get the compo but each item is covered upto about £32 free.

Standard compensation has always been 100 x the price of a 1st class stamp.
That compensation rate therefore is £41.

[kirkie]

1st class recorded for everything

[forummember]

Anything under £9 goes via standard mail, anything over £9 goes via recorded delivery. Anything over £70 goes special next day delivery. Anything expensive going international goes via airsure and it that's not an option then I use international signed for. Cheap stuff goes via airmail small packets/letters.

[selling4life]

Originally Posted by theredi

depends on the buyer,if they look dodgy,low feedback,or an old account with low feedback,or from a place i feel is dodgey ill send signed for delivery.
if they have 100% feedback i generally just send it with proof of postage.
tho if youre sending anything thats worth alot you should send it signed for delivery,you should charge for this anyway.

I look at the FB left for others and see how many items the buyer claims that was not accounted for. The complainers are the one's that you have to look out for. The cry babies! lol

[GrannyT]

Originally Posted by oompaloompa

I use every single PO service, depending on the price of goods, things over £10, I usually send recorded, the rest 1st class. I have had virtually no non receipts, generally people are v honest IMO, Most importantly send within stated time and by stated means and people are happy.

I couldn't agree more - this is exactly what I do