If you missed Channel4 Dispatches last night on “Secrets of Your Missing Mail” it’s a bit of an eye opener.
The programme went undercover to investigate Royal Mail’s competitors, the first half of the programme looked at treatment of parcels and the second half investigated alternative letter carriers. Whilst it was only filmed at specific locations it does show just how parcels and letters may be being handled… James and James Fulfilment are only to aware and explain just how bad the situation is.
Parcel Damage Exposed by Channel 4 Dispatches is Tip of the Iceberg
James and James Fulfilment acts on behalf of retailers to pack and fulfil orders. They’ve seen an increase in damages and postal issues over the last few years, despite improvements in packaging materials and technology.
“Channel 4’s Dispatches program last night brought to the public eye various issues that we’ve experienced first hand. We applaud the programme for bringing the problems we face every day to a wide audience. Unfortunately these issues, and the attitude of certain delivery staff, are common across most couriers.” James Hyde, Operations Director.
With reduced costs being demanded by more and more consumers, clearly margins are being cut resulting in less care being taken, especially at busy times. While the majority of workers employed by the couriers are hard working and honest, it only takes a few to bring service levels down.
“We work hard to offer a personal and reliable service to online retailers, taking care to package items well. This kind of irresponsible handling is disappointing as it damages everyone’s reputation.”
James and James Fulfilment believe that the industry has a lot to do to be able to offer a level of service that is suitable for home shopping.
“There are certainly couriers out there who handle goods carefully and offer excellent service, but they simply aren’t competitive for low cost home delivery.”
The main reason is that consumers are not willing to pay extra, especially when the responsibility for delivery rests firmly with the retailer. If a parcel is damaged before arrival, then under UK legislation, the retailer is generally at fault – meaning that businesses are being forced to meet the cost of damage in transit.
16 Responses
It certainly gave UK Mail at Bournemouth a bad rep, I suppose unfortunately the old saying you get what you pay for is still true. What surprised me more was the so called high class wine merchant using a normal courier, if I was paying hundreds or thousands of pounds on bottles of wine I would expect a high class delivery service as well.
I saw the last half of the program and was astonished.
As a regular moaner on many matters I thought it only fair to mention my dealings with Parcel Force. As an Amazon FBA seller I have an account with Parcel Force and ship at least 25 large boxes every month. To date I have found the service to be excellent. I appreciate that my business is B2B and that the routes to Amazon fulfilment centres are well established, but that said I am very happy with Parcel Force.
The stat regarding claims of damage is very crafty. Most remotely fragile things you cannot claim for so obviously the number of claims is going to be low, lower if this is approved claims and even lower if it is granted claims where the carrier accepts liability.
As for as any carrier is concerned a certain amount of negligence is expected, the scale of it in the UK Mail depot however was a bit of an eye opener to past events!
If you missed the programme (and do not have access to it in any other way) then remember that it is repeated at 02-15 Friday Morning on Channel 4. Just think you can come home from the Celebration of the huge number of Tory Councillors who have lost their seats and the consequent huge number of UKIP Councillors who have been Elected and then sit down and watch this TV programme. Its almost a perfect way to end Local Council Election Day(and start the next day).
We will all suffer when Royal Mail is sold. All the people who constantly moan about Royal Mail will soon be regretting their words. God Help Us.
UK Mail, I would never use them anyway – I have a few items delivered from them, and the boxes are always battered.
The problem is lies on the cost.
Everyone wants Excellent Service at Cheap price. Lets face it ! its not going to happen. Look what happened with “horsemeat” scandal and Recently what happened in Bangladesh.
All of these events tells one thing Simply PUTTING PRESSURE on COST DOES NOT DO GOOD. If we do, somebody has to suffer one way or the other.
There is not simple solution to this however, we need to be aware WE GET WHAT WE PAY FOR !
The last parcel I sent with ParcelForce was booked at the Post Office late Friday. It was delivered Wednesday by yodel. Next door. Parcel Force still have a statuary obligation to deliver to the address , unlike Royal Mail and most of the couriers; no reply to my complaint yet.