Royal Mail Delivery Recommendation

[phub11 0]

Hi all,

From personal experience, I would recommend anyone sending forms to the US embassy in London NOT to use recorded delivery. I thought I would save 4 pounds and send Recorded Delivery instead of Special Delivery. I sent the stuff out on Wednesday, and Saturday afternoon the Royal Mail website still says it's not been delivered. At least with Special Delivery you can continuously track your package and it's guaranteed next day.

I guess I'll have to call the Embassy on Monday to see if it has arrived (which will probably cost the 4 pounds I saved using Recorded Delivery). Hopefully it gets there!

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers!

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

[phub11 0]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

Good for you! However, sending such important documents, I personally wouldn't recommend it.

[wifetobe 2]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

Good for you! However, sending such important documents, I personally wouldn't recommend it.

I second that Phub. Both your lives are in that package along with the long awaited journey that took forever to get to the 'embassy' stage and I think a first class stamp is very daring, I'm not that brave!! I would special delivery it too.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

both your lives? they're easily replaceable forms! of course I wouldn't do that with the original of my birth certificate, or a passport, but the worst risk I was taking was a couple of weeks' delay; I was more than comfortable with that risk

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Its funny, I returned my packet 3 documents special delivery, the royal mail somewhow managed to misplace the package!

I resent the forms with a first class stamp, got a packet 4 only three days later.

Lesson learnt, there is no guarantees with the royal mail!

[*julez* 124]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

And yet the US embassy still saw fit to issue you a visa??? They'll let ANYONE in these days. Sheesh.

[rebeccajo 14]

Don't you people have FedEx or something like that over there?

I never send anything important within the US via our postal system. I always use an express carrier.

Edited March 29, 2008 by rebeccajo

[mrssmith 0]

When i sent my forms back in January i used Recorded delivery and it took roughly 4-5 days if i rememeber correctly. This is due to the fact that it has to be signed for and the sit in at the post office waiting to be collected. You will know when/if the embassy have recieved it as they will send you an e-mail (if you supplied an e-mail address) The day they recieved or the day after. I would give it a little longer before phoning that really expensive number.... Then contact royal mail instead.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

And yet the US embassy still saw fit to issue you a visa??? They'll let ANYONE in these days. Sheesh.

I know... I don't know how I snuck past their multiple defences, but I did

still got to get past the border patrols at LAX though... might be a different matter

I used normal mail for everything I had to send anywhere, and it all arrived safely and in a timely fashion

[rebeccajo 14]

I just stuck a first class stamp on mine; got there fine

And yet the US embassy still saw fit to issue you a visa??? They'll let ANYONE in these days. Sheesh.

I know... I don't know how I snuck past their multiple defences, but I did

still got to get past the border patrols at LAX though... might be a different matter

I used normal mail for everything I had to send anywhere, and it all arrived safely and in a timely fashion

Things have a tendency to get mangled in the mail over here.

When we sent Wes' AOS paperwork to the Chicago lockbox, I used FedEx ground. It cost less than five dollars.

I used regular FedEx when I sent his I129F in. That was more but I was also looking for speed of delivery at that time.

The Royal Mail might be better than our system in the US. Over here - I just don't trust 'em.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I sent my RFE package with a bike courier, cos I work quite near the embassy, and so the price is comparable to special delivery, but it gets there in minutes. They sent the courier back, saying they only accept Royal Mail, and I think FedEx or DHL. So I had to pay again to have the damn thing returned to me.

[wifetobe 2]

both your lives? they're easily replaceable forms! of course I wouldn't do that with the original of my birth certificate, or a passport, but the worst risk I was taking was a couple of weeks' delay; I was more than comfortable with that risk

Well my friend you can replace the forms that's up to you that's your risk and another couple weeks delay, I don't mind spending extra money on a carrier express service to ensure documents arrive securely (copy or originals all the same), I would certainly want mine to get their ONE TIME you feel me. Good point Juleza they would let anyone in these days... tragic mate tragic.

[phub11 0]

I didn't expect my recommendation would turn into a debate about different delivery services!

Having lived in the States 10 years, I can say the Royal Mail is on a par with the US Mail. I once sent postcards from New Mexico to my girlfriend in Chicago, and my parents in England. Was surprised to find the girlfriend's card arrived over a week after my parents.

Anyway, send your mail as you like (it was a recommendation not an order!) - though I would say that the DS-156 isn't too easily replaced since getting US passport photos in the North of England is a real pain (and you have to wait 2 weeks to be sure it didn't get lost in the mail).

P.S: Thank you MrsSmith - a very helpful comment. I shall leave it a bit longer before calling.

Cheers!

Edited March 30, 2008 by phub11

[govols 0]

Don't you people have FedEx or something like that over there?

I never send anything important within the US via our postal system. I always use an express carrier.

Using fedex or any other carrier won't guarantee it gets there any better or quicker than royal mail. Which ever way you use there is always a risk of it getting lost, just make sure you have the ability to track your package

Tony

Edited March 30, 2008 by govols