Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery photo — what does it actually prove?
I had an issue today with Royal Mail Tracked 48 tracking.
At first, when I entered the tracking number on Royal Mail’s website using Firefox, no tracking result was returned. I then tried the same tracking number in Chrome, and the tracking information appeared.
So the tracking number was valid, but the Royal Mail tracking page did not work properly in one browser.
The parcel shows as delivered, but the delivery photo only shows the parcel in the postman’s hand. It does not show the parcel going through the letterbox, outside the correct door, or with any visible house number.
This raises a practical question for sellers:
If we pay for a tracked service, what does the delivery photo actually prove?
In this case, the photo proves that the postman was holding the parcel at some point. But it does not clearly prove that the parcel was delivered to the buyer’s address.
I have seen a similar problem before where the buyer said the door shown in the Royal Mail delivery photo was not their house door.
For sellers, this creates a difficult evidence gap. The tracking says delivered, but if the photo does not show the correct address or a clear delivery location, it may not help much when a buyer says “item not received.”
Has anyone else had this issue with Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery photos?
Do Amazon or Royal Mail treat this kind of photo as enough proof, even when the photo does not show the address, letterbox, door, or safe place clearly?
I am not saying the buyer is wrong, and I am not saying Royal Mail did not deliver. I am asking what the delivery evidence is supposed to prove when the photo itself does not clearly show delivery to the correct place.
Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery photo — what does it actually prove?
I had an issue today with Royal Mail Tracked 48 tracking.
At first, when I entered the tracking number on Royal Mail’s website using Firefox, no tracking result was returned. I then tried the same tracking number in Chrome, and the tracking information appeared.
So the tracking number was valid, but the Royal Mail tracking page did not work properly in one browser.
The parcel shows as delivered, but the delivery photo only shows the parcel in the postman’s hand. It does not show the parcel going through the letterbox, outside the correct door, or with any visible house number.
This raises a practical question for sellers:
If we pay for a tracked service, what does the delivery photo actually prove?
In this case, the photo proves that the postman was holding the parcel at some point. But it does not clearly prove that the parcel was delivered to the buyer’s address.
I have seen a similar problem before where the buyer said the door shown in the Royal Mail delivery photo was not their house door.
For sellers, this creates a difficult evidence gap. The tracking says delivered, but if the photo does not show the correct address or a clear delivery location, it may not help much when a buyer says “item not received.”
Has anyone else had this issue with Royal Mail Tracked 48 delivery photos?
Do Amazon or Royal Mail treat this kind of photo as enough proof, even when the photo does not show the address, letterbox, door, or safe place clearly?
I am not saying the buyer is wrong, and I am not saying Royal Mail did not deliver. I am asking what the delivery evidence is supposed to prove when the photo itself does not clearly show delivery to the correct place.
9 replies
Seller_IQo80d99W2DzP
As you say it proves that the Postie had the correect item and took a photo.
BUT: You will also have the map and GPS location.
You can then use Google maps and Streetview, and find out if at the correct address.
Double check the address is as per the details provided, as sometimes Buyers put the wrong postcode, number, etc.
We screenshot everything, including the map, GPS info, and show tracking details to RM.
Usually, the Buyer then locates the parcel. Even if at a neighbours home.
Seller_KlbXZHzQGSDZv
As far as Amazon is concerned it proves nothing although you are paying for a tracked its not signed and as such will fail any query from the customer. It is useful as a foil to people who try it on who when you show the info they back down but if they know the system enough and take it to amazon stating it was not delivered you will lose the a-z.
Seller_O4TJnF5x5T1Ou
It's handy for the GPS tracking. I have had people say parcels have gone missing. Once you show them the tracking, it's with a neighbour etc.
Seller_kSZCywEhJQQ8J
Thank you guys, I think I read too many A-Z posts and policies, or A-to-Z PDST.
Seller_Y6V2xdbvmYvBI
they are making excuses the photo says its the normal delivery as the parcel van wouldn't have your post in it only parcels
Seller_Y6V2xdbvmYvBI
Had this with a care home on ebay dhl gps drop pin in the car park out side the main door (gps with dhl is good )pictures of the maintenance guy even with his name 3 weeks later the woman who manages the site tried IVE not received them so here is the big difference i supplied ebay with gps tracking number and delivery photo and they rejected her claim as delivered however i can supply the same info for the same sort of case on here and they want a signature and they will disregard all the other info provide for a out dated practice that you will be charged for by the courier and you could sign anything and i would loose the battle i really perplexes me how amazon can operate like this
