Royal Mail - give them a chance people, you're getting a lot for your 36p. (Royal Mail)

Member Name: Palice

Product:	Royal Mail
Date:	30/01/09 (79 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, good value, a British institution.

Disadvantages: Things can go missing, and I've heard people having trouble claiming compensation.

This is a highly contested subject for most Britons; when it works, it's ignored and expected, but when it fails, you don't hear the end of it.

So I would like to redress the balance. Think about what we take for granted here in Britain; for 36p you can send something to the other side of the country and be fairly certain that it'll reach the recipient if not by the next day then at least the day after that. Yes, sometimes things go missing, but with the volume of mail they deal with it's really quite forgiveable.

Think about it; all the postmen, sorters, carriers, delivery trucks and vans taking your letter hundreds of miles in a day... all for 36p!

Even when things do go missing, as long as you get a (free) proof of postage you will receive compensation in the form of postage stamps plus a refund of postage costs. This is just with standard 1st class service which I think is quite fair.

And they offer a range of time options, be it same day, next day, etc. as well as insurance options and guaranteed delivery, and of course very reasonable (in my opinion) overseas rates.

Though I have never had experience of having to get compensation (which itself is a testament to the service as I send and receive a lot of mail) I have heard people have had bad experiences of claiming back compensation, which may be a factor in so many people's distain for the service. But that said, the fact I have never had a piece of mail go missing is admirable.

Please everyone, think about the good that the royal mail achieves and don't let one mistake ruin their reputation.

Summary: An undervalued, underappreciated institution.