Normally, for recent orders you can select to reprint postage label. However for older orders this disappears after a time. Is there any way to retrieve a postage label? We have a customer claiming inr for a 2nd class large item but we need the “tracking” number (it’s not tracked but will show if delivered on 2nd class large generally) off the label).
The Royal Mail tracking code is still visible on my orders up to 1 year old, maybe even older.
I buy labels for parcel orders with Tracked 24/48 from Click & Drop which updates Amazon. For Large Letters RM48, although I use “Buy Shipping” on Amazon, I do this with a linked RM account.
If you buy shipping without a linked RM account or for services other than Tracked or RM24/48, it is possible that the tracking ref does not show on the order after a while but as I don’t, I can’t be sure.
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joelmb - that sounds unlikely to me.
If you’re buying 2nd class postage online, then as you say it’s only tracked when it’s delivered. To be honest, I wouldn’t use that service for Amazon.
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What service would you recommend, for a low value item not worth the cost of sending via properly tracked parcel post?
If you’re selling on Amazon, you need RM24 or RM48 Click and Drop as a minimum.
If you’re doing the volume, an Online Business Account (OBA) will save you money - again using RM24 or RM48.
For Large Letters, Royal Mail is still cheapest - otherwise you might want to try EVRI, they’re cheaper for heavier, larger items.
Speaking as a retired seller, I hardly ever lost anything in the post, less than 1 in 1000. Some key recommendations here:
- Double check buyer’s addresses. Check that the buyer hasn’t made a mistake with the supplied address. Even use Google maps.
- Make sure YOU have typed or pasted that address correctly yourself!
- Package all orders properly, ie: safely and securely. Make an effort.
- If the order is bigger than a buyer’s letter box - TELL THEM!
- It’s up to you to worry about safe delivery - not everybody else. Don’t blame the courier or buyer.
In the old days, I’d have said to sell on eBay for a year or so before selling on Amazon - but nowadays they’re almost as strict. However, there are no selling fees for private sellers AND at least you can talk to your buyers and eBay itself.
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So for a £5 item, as a minumum send RM48 at £2.70? Literally no business model there.
The business model in this case is accepting that a certain % will result in a claim (fraudulent or otherwise) and factoring a surcharge onto your pricing to make up for this.
If you don’t, you will be making less profit than you think you are, potentially losing if your margins are tight.
So, in essence, don’t be a busy fool (no offence intended).
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For low-value items where fully tracked parcel services aren’t cost-effective, the best option in the UK is Royal Mail 2nd Class Large Letter or Royal Mail 48 (non-tracked), both of which are affordable and still provide a delivery confirmation scan in many cases, which Amazon accepts as valid for VTR (Valid Tracking Rate). While not end-to-end tracked, these services often scan upon delivery, helping protect against INR (item not received) claims.
If you’re using Amazon Buy Shipping, Royal Mail 2D barcodes generated through it can meet Amazon’s requirements even for inexpensive goods. For even lower costs with a bit more tracking visibility, consider providers like Whistl or Evri Economy (formerly Hermes), but make sure their label scans qualify for VTR and A-to-Z protection.
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Yes. I agree with that being necessary, (although in reality the amount of claims we receive is very low anyway). But my argument to BillBadger’s comment was regards to using RM 48 as a minumum, which for our cheapest products would account for over 50% of their total. So after factoring in fees and materials costs, that wouldn’t at all be a profitable business model.
I see no reason not to use 2nd class large for low value orders. Unfortunately though, the slight protection offered by having the ability to see if it has been delivered is removed by Amazon as they remove the postage label from the order after 30 days. So we’ll just have to keep a local rolling archive of the postage labels!
All a bit of a moot point when its as quiet as is currently mind. I’m definitely not retiring early either.