Royal Mail - Are parcels still taking ages to be delivered?

[O.A.Partygirl]

I'm about to buy something online from Back Market and the only delivery option is 'royal mail' .  I'm hoping once I buy it I'll get a message with tracking info but it doesn't specify, it just says arrives within 2 working days.

Mail delivery has still been terrible in our area (Lacon Road SE22) but a neighbour told me it's now better for parcels as they tend to prioritise them. Has anyone had parcels delivered either on time - or late??

[Earl Aelfheah]

I’ve personally found them much better lately 

[Penguin68]

I think delivery problems are chiefly for post, not parcel post, as regards delivery by Royal Mail. However do remember that large parcels are delivered, or not, by Parcel Force, which is a separate operating company from Royal Mail. But I think 'Royal Mail' should mean what it says, in which case parcel delivery is prioritised over normal letter post

[Sue]

4 minutes ago, Earl Aelfheah said:

I’ve personally found them much better lately 

I have too 👍

[Guest Dulwichway]

Always had a good service from Royal Mail on deliveries. I also use 48 Tracked for sending small parcels, and only £3.39 when purchased online, very reliable and easy to follow updates. Some of the other "postal delivery services" tend to leave them in the front garden or doorstep and bugger off!

[Jenijenjen]

2 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

I think delivery problems are chiefly for post, not parcel post, as regards delivery by Royal Mail. However do remember that large parcels are delivered, or not, by Parcel Force, which is a separate operating company from Royal Mail. But I think 'Royal Mail' should mean what it says, in which case parcel delivery is prioritised over normal letter post

I received a LARGE parcel last week, definitely delivered by our usual RM van driver and not by Parcel Force and tracked on Royal Mail website.

I'm round the corner from Lacon Road and received two other smaller packages last week sent 48 hour tracking which arrived within the 48 hours- despite tracking showing they went from the Midlands via Aberdeen to East Dulwich. 

[Penguin68]

The maximum weight for Royal Mail parcels is apparently 20kg. Over that it must go via Parcel Force. 

[LibbyGreen]

Thanks everyone, that’s encouraging to hear- I’ve now taken a chance and ordered my parcel . Fingers crossed!