amazon.co.uk dispatch...

[Sammy]

... using Royal Mail.

I just ordered GWtW from amazon.co.uk and it shipped yesterday via Royal Mail (got to love that, it's not like the queen herself going to bring it to me) but they didn't give me a tracking number at all. Is this normal?

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Sammy

... using Royal Mail.

I just ordered GWtW from amazon.co.uk and it shipped yesterday via Royal Mail (got to love that, it's not like the queen herself going to bring it to me) but they didn't give me a tracking number at all. Is this normal?

That's normal for items shipped via Royal Mail to the US which is UK's equivalent to the USPS.

Here's more info on the tracking options for international shipments based on the shipping method used.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cust...#International

[BluBonnet]

Don't worry mate, I've never had any problems with their Royal Mail shipping.

[Sammy]

So the Royal Mail isn't even up to par with USPS? At least USPS gives you a number so somebody can find it for you if it doesn't show up... Not like UPS or FedEx or the others but at least there's a number you get.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Sammy

So the Royal Mail isn't even up to par with USPS? At least USPS gives you a number so somebody can find it for you if it doesn't show up... Not like UPS or FedEx or the others but at least there's a number you get.

Usually you have to pay extra for a tracking number with the USPS although Amazon.com may provide a tracking number for USPS shipments within the US free of charge. Delivery Confirmation within the US costs $0.70-0.80 Retail, $0.19 Electronic per package (Amazon may receive a bulk discount).

http://www.usps.com/prices/extra-services-prices.htm

You have to remember that the package is exchanging hands been the postal services of two different countries (it's not like the package is being shipped by UPS UK to UPS US; never changing services) ... I'm not sure if the USPS or Royal Mail have a system in place to support the tracking of packages amongst all the other international postal services. If it does it will be much more costly than what it would cost within country.

EDIT: According to the Royal Mail they offer the Recorded Signed For service for Corporate customers shipping items overseas via first/second class. Under this service there are two options:

Airsure® - these items are tracked abroad and you’ll get confirmation of final delivery
International Signed For® - these items are only tracked up until the point that they leave the UK

Airsure costs £4.50 per package ($7.10 USD) and International Signed For costs £3.70 per package ($5.84). The International Signed For service doesn't provide much benefit other than letting you know that the item left the UK but in either case I don't see any company that would be willing to eat that much money on a small package just to provide a free service to the customer.

http://track.royalmail.com/portal/rm...diaId=15400383

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/j...mediaId=400033

[Clark Kent]

I have ordered dozens of times from Amazon.co.uk to the U.S. without a tracking number. It is more reliable than most of the retailers shipping packages within the U.S. Most packages from them arrive within a week or so, delivered to your door by the Postal Service.