Royal Mail messages

[Khyber]

Hello everyone!
What exactly does the message 'Item dispatched' on the Royal Mail website mean? Item was apparently despatched on May 22 but has still not arrived in Delhi after almost 2 months. Does the message mean that it has already left the UK by air or that it's been cleared for dispatch but not physically left the UK. I have had stuff sent to me in mid-June which has already arrived in India but this one seems to be stuck somewhere.
Another item sent along with it by the same seller on the same day is still showing as being on the way from Southampton to London!!!
I called up Royal Mail from India but all the reply I got for both queries was a recorded message that "it's on its way".
I know there are Covid/lockdown delays but wondering why post which was sent later has arrived, but the older ones have got stuck.
It may well have arrived in India and stuck at either Mumbai or Delhi but then other items sent later have arrived already, some within 3 weeks!
Thanks!

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Khyber

Hello everyone!
What exactly does the message 'Item dispatched' on the Royal Mail website mean? Item was apparently despatched on May 22 but has still not arrived in Delhi after almost 2 months. Does the message mean that it has already left the UK by air or that it's been cleared for dispatch but not physically left the UK. I have had stuff sent to me in mid-June which has already arrived in India but this one seems to be stuck somewhere.
Another item sent along with it by the same seller on the same day is still showing as being on the way from Southampton to London!!!
I called up Royal Mail from India but all the reply I got for both queries was a recorded message that "it's on its way".
I know there are Covid/lockdown delays but wondering why post which was sent later has arrived, but the older ones have got stuck.
It may well have arrived in India and stuck at either Mumbai or Delhi but then other items sent later have arrived already, some within 3 weeks!
Thanks!

I'm having the same issues in Australia. I think its a case of being patient and it will eventually turn. One package from UK took 3 months and from USA its even worse.

Mick

[Parabellum]

I can't really help with your current situation, but I used have all sorts of problems sending stuff outside the UK, so much so that I stopped international delivery for more than a year.

A couple of months ago I became part of eBay's Global Shipping Programme, were I now send all of my items signed-for to a depot in Staffordshire and they do the rest.
I've sent around 10 orders so far without any problems - (Knock on wood).

It may be worth considering for future purchases from UK.

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

I can't really help with your current situation, but I used have all sorts of problems sending stuff outside the UK, so much so that I stopped international delivery for more than a year.

A couple of months ago I became part of eBay's Global Shipping Programme, were I now send all of my items signed-for to a depot in Staffordshire and they do the rest.
I've sent around 10 orders so far without any problems - (Knock on wood).

It may be worth considering for future purchases from UK.

As a buyer I will never buy from anyone who uses eBay's Global Shipping Programme. It's a monumental ripoff and doubles (or more) the cost of postage.

Mick

[Parabellum]

How much would it cost you to buy a badge from the UK ?

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

How much would it cost you to buy a badge from the UK ?

Do you mean postage? I've had dealers charge me anywhere between GBP3 and 12 for postage.

Either way, if i see Global Shipping Programme mentioned on any eBay listing I give it a wide berth.

Mick

[Parabellum]

Yes postage.
Buyers always insist on normal postage for a couple of quid with no tracking or insurance to keep their costs down, then if it goes missing they quickly want a refund, but tracked postage to Australia, I would charge £12 anyway.
So is GSP double that ?

[John Mulcahy]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

As a buyer I will never buy from anyone who uses eBay's Global Shipping Programme. It's a monumental ripoff and doubles (or more) the cost of postage.

Mick

I am with you Mick, I never buy from anyone who insists on this rip off.

John

[Parabellum]

Can anyone give any indication of prices
in comparison to Royal mail ?
Ive never used it to buy stuff, only to sell.

[KLR]

Yes, a bit of patience - I got a book sent from a post office in the near east and it only took six weeks. In the present circumstances that's not too bad!

[altcar73]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

I can't really help with your current situation, but I used have all sorts of problems sending stuff outside the UK, so much so that I stopped international delivery for more than a year.

A couple of months ago I became part of eBay's Global Shipping Programme, were I now send all of my items signed-for to a depot in Staffordshire and they do the rest.
I've sent around 10 orders so far without any problems - (Knock on wood).

It may be worth considering for future purchases from UK.

My advice to anyone reading this is this "Do not under any circumstances use eBay's global shipping system, either as a buyer or a seller." It is a total rip off designed to line eBay's pockets. Look at the terms and conditions. It has so many holes in it that if it was a ship it would sink in minutes. If you are a seller, your buyers must either be very very wealthy or very very dim. Either way you are not doing your customers a favour and are probably driving potential buyers away. I never buy from anyone using that system.

Dave.

[Parabellum]

Is there anybody here who can give a comparison in cost who has actually used the programme, rather than just stating its a rip off.

I don't think any of my customers are dim, as alot frequent this forum.

I am making a genuine enquiry, as my customers are actually very important to me and if the programme is a rip off, i will happily not use it.

[Khyber]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

It may be worth considering for future purchases from UK.

Thanks for your reply, but I would never use the global shipping program. It's a rip off.

I have been buying from the UK for 15 years and always use Royal Mail International Tracked or Signed For. Never had any trouble so far getting stuff to India - Touch wood!
The present situation is due to the lockdown I know and I guess I just have to be a little more patient.. But I do hope things improve soon...

[Alan O]

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Is there anybody here who can give a comparison in cost who has actually used the programme, rather than just stating its a rip off.

I don't think any of my customers are dim, as alot frequent this forum.

I am making a genuine enquiry, as my customers are actually very important to me and if the programme is a rip off, i will happily not use it.

It costs twice the normal price to ship internationally. I would have to be buying a badge for a really cheap price to pay so much more for the postage than the badge.

[Parabellum]

So, a customer in Australia who uses it would be charged £19.40, excluding packing ?
I'm surprised anyone would actually pay that.

Perhaps my customers are dim after all LOL