South Africa Postal Service
 

Is anyone else having trouble with South Africa Post?

I purchased a rather nice King's African Rifles Regiment Signal Section badge, it was posted over three months ago and I was given a tracking number.

I have been to the South African Post site and checked the tracking number, but it now is telling me that the number has expired.

I also just recently found on their site a list of countries that they now can post to. Unfortunately Australia isn't one of them.

I paid a bit of money for the badge, but that's not the point, as I would rather have the badge than the money.

I have contacted the seller they tell me if the tracking number is no longer useable, then the parcel has left South Africa, but, South Africa Post are not posting to Australia.

Any suggestions??

Phil.

Hi Phil,

I was told by James @ SA Militaria that they are still not able to post directly to Australia.

I bought a badge from him and had it shipped to the UK and from there it was posted to Australia (Thanks Chris!).

Mick

Hello Mick, yes upon reflection that's what I should have done, my mate Chris Walker would have sent it on to me I'm sure.

I just hope it gets returned to the sender, but that's a long hope.

Phil.

I bought some bits form him and shipped ot me in the US with no problem. they arrived fine and what I thought was fast considering it was several months back when the virus was still rampant.

Really sorry to hear your dilemma! I had a packet coming from Australia that was sent at a cheaper rate than the $25 and it got returned to the sender! Maybe that has happened to your badge???

Wish you well and that it turns out OK,

Terry

Sadly its a hit and miss situation, the SA Post Office is in a shambolic condition. They have massive issues with a large number of branches trying to pay Covid 19 Govt monthly grants to the unemployed, whist trying to carry out their normal duties.

We all use local couriers that take 3 days instead of 3 months delivery time.

I sent some badges to Ireland a few months back and they have still not arrived.

Brian

It took 4 weeks for the badge I bought to be sent from South Africa to the UK.

Mick

It is truly appalling, I do not use it other than for Christmas cards, which seem to take anything up to four months to arrive.
I find it amazing that a national postal service cannot dispatch items to Australia.:confused:

Frank, talking Christmas cards I received one from a medal mate in the UK yesterday! It has taken 6 months to get here.... appalling service!

Brian

Six months, well never mind, you can put it away for now and get out in December I suppose.

I bought a badge from bidorbuy a couple of weeks ago and the seller sent it to me in the UK in a week by DHL. The SA Post Service has been shambolic for years, with theft being a huge problem. I remember years ago being asked by a seller to send cash (it was a small sum) and to wrap it in carbon paper and I think tin foil to avoid it being spotted and pinched.

The fact you have a tracking number that 'doesnt compute' is a pain. Hope you have an honest seller who will let you know if he has it returned.

Thanks Padre, I have no doubt about the sellers integrity, I'm sure if it is returned to them they will let me know. However I don't have much faith in the postal service, the information I have says it's in Cape Town, that's a fair way from where it was sent originally.

The fact that the tracking number has "expired" is a worry, as are all the reports of the shambolic nature of the South African Postal Service.

One can only live in hope of receiving it someday, this badge collecting is getting frustrating, I think I will move my interest to beer can collecting :D

Phil.

With Covid & severely reduced flight numbers, there are only 2 international airports in operation so it has probably been sent to a depot in CT for eventual forwarding. I sent a few parcels overseas a while ago and they took about 6-8 weeks but all arrived.