bridiej

Congrats Rab!!!

Out of interest you are in kent arent you? I have loads of stuff go missing with Royal Mail down here, it's ridiculous. Saying that though, our own Postman is a real sweetie.

Rabc

Hi Bridie,

We are just outside Dartford although the sorting office that lost our documents is Tunbridge Wells

DunRoaminTheUK

On the subject of using a courier, if we decided to send our medicals back via DHL (or similar) would it not be a problem for them that the medical results are in a sealed envelope? They have always insisted on the packages being open for inspection in the past?

I am dreading sending off our UK PCC requests and our newborn's passport application using Royal Mail as they will each contain our respective original birth certificates. I am going to use registered delivery but insurance against loss is no comfort when the documents themselves would be so difficult to re-obtain (more my wife's and mine than our newborn).

Rabc

I used UPs and they were fine (except for meds that went straight from the Dr) No looking, just a customs declaration to say that the were printed matter/documents and they track it to the door.

DunRoaminTheUK

I have read that some people sent their medical results direct themselves, using a courier. Is this the case?

JAJ

For PCC, can you not use a certified copy?

Either way, if you must send originals, get certified copies made beforehand.


Jeremy

Rabc

Thanks Jeremy, that was plan B. When I front loaded the first set back in December I included the originals so that's what I did this time. While I have copies of everything I sent I did'nt keep a copy of the lastest one (Idiot). I didnt think I would need one! There is a morale in that story!

Anyway, I phoned New Scotland Yard this morning, explained the situation and they are going to send duplicates straight away without charging. This time I WILL keep a copy and send it by courier.

Royal Mail said they would get back to me 1st thing this morning - nothing! Must of lost my number in the their pile of other "lost" letters.

Rabc

I am not 100% sure but I think the Dr must send them off, you don't get custody of them at all. We paid £70 for a £32 courier trip but they got there!! I would make sure (even it it means paying a lot more) you get them sent tracked by a courier.

Rob

Martin Gilmore

Couriers don't always get it right either !

We used Fed Ex to send out TRA application documents to our agent and they
haven't got there yet after waiting over a week. Their online tracking
system is crap - not refreshed frequently. The package originally got held
up because we used a post office box number, which we found out NO courier
will deliver to; this held things up a couple of days. After giving an
alternate address, they decided to hold the package again because they said
we didn't have a customs invoice. After countless phone calls to Fed Ex,
talking to different people, and being told different stories, we were told
that documents don't need a customs invoice - the package was in a
resealable cardboard envelope provided FOC by Fed Ex, so why didn't they
just check for themselves ?

I guess it's just as one person has already said in this thread, you take
your chances no matter which route you choose. We got unlucky, but
thankfully the package HAS reached Oz and will arrive 4 days later than
quoted, plus we have been promised a full refund; Note that UPS offer a no
quibble refund whereas Fed Ex don't. We used a courier because Royal Mail
are too unreliable, I used to be a postman and I know how they treat their
mail sometimes.

MG

"wmoore" <member22399@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
    >> Those thinking of sending important documents to Australia and
    >> planning to entrust them to Royal Mail DON'T.
    >> I have sent 4 documents to Australia by International Signed for and 2
    >> have been "lost". The lastest was the PCC which our decision is
    >> waiting for!!!
    >> I sent our driving licences to New Scotland Yard to prove our ID to
    >> get PCC by registered post and they lost it as well!!!
    >> This means that not only have they lost our driving licences but also
    >> delayed our visa decision by upto 40 days.
    >> On top of all this they are making record profits and are increasing
    >> effeciency!!
    >> Take note, if you want to see it again or need it to arrive DONT USE
    >> ROYAL MAIL
    > Maybe you've been a bit unlucky. I've sent lots of things to Oz by Royal
    > Mail and every item has arrived safely. I would agree with the other
    > comments though, if it's THAT important to you, pay the extra and use a
    > courier service.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Vikas

This is true. Royal mail sucks... we have sent our tax returns to US
using AIR Sure service. As per standards it should reach there in 5
days but it has been 30 working days now but the returns haven't
reached.

Rabc

Blimey!
I have checked the prices to send them by courier (via Interparcels) DHL £26 UPS £35 Fed X £32

Lets have another try!

bjbrian

I was a supporter of Royal Mail, until last month when they let me down. Next time I will pay the £40 courier so I can sleep..

Brian.