Comments for Andrew Ferrier http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog Economics; Travel; Film; and Technology. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:31:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Sanjay http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-244308 Sanjay Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:31:30 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-244308 I sent item by recordeds signed-for first class on 02 Feb 2012. Constant checking since came up with "delivered on 06 Feb 2012, electronic proof awaited" on night of 06/02/2012. Only problem is I received back a self addressed stamped envelope that was in the posted mail on 04 Feb 2012. I am dreading to find out what really happened to the mail. It was really important paperwork and the clerk had asked if its value was more than £46/- If everything is in order it was deliverd on 3 Feb or my letter is ripped open. I sent item by recordeds signed-for first class on 02 Feb 2012. Constant checking since came up with “delivered on 06 Feb 2012, electronic proof awaited” on night of 06/02/2012.

Only problem is I received back a self addressed stamped envelope that was in the posted mail on 04 Feb 2012. I am dreading to find out what really happened to the mail. It was really important paperwork and the clerk had asked if its value was more than £46/-

If everything is in order it was deliverd on 3 Feb or my letter is ripped open.

]]> Comment on Compiling FlightGear 2.4.0 for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid) by Dan Serban http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2011/08/17/compiling-flightgear-2-4-0-for-ubuntu-10-04/comment-page-1/#comment-244290 Dan Serban Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:17:52 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=705#comment-244290 Thank you very much! It also works perfectly in my Ubuntu 11.10 (oneric) installation. ;) Thank you very much! It also works perfectly in my Ubuntu 11.10 (oneric) installation. ;)

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by anonymous http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-244281 anonymous Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:30 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-244281 i sent 24 recorded letters on 16th jan, in the hope they will ALL be received. These included legal papers, for a new business, to 24 clients. So we need to prove they have ALL been delivered. After checking the system this morning, i noticed only 13 of these letters were actually signed for, which means there was a delivery rate of just over 50% which is absolutely redicilous. The letters might have been received, but how will i prove it in court if they have been received or not without a signature. i sent 24 recorded letters on 16th jan, in the hope they will ALL be received. These included legal papers, for a new business, to 24 clients. So we need to prove they have ALL been delivered.
After checking the system this morning, i noticed only 13 of these letters were actually signed for, which means there was a delivery rate of just over 50% which is absolutely redicilous.
The letters might have been received, but how will i prove it in court if they have been received or not without a signature.

]]> Comment on Using AT&T Network Client VPN with Ubuntu 64bit by Will http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2009/01/12/using-att-network-client-vpn-with-ubuntu-64bit/comment-page-1/#comment-244169 Will Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:51:26 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=571#comment-244169 Thanks! This worked great for me! Exactly what I needed. Thanks! This worked great for me! Exactly what I needed.

]]> Comment on Compiling FlightGear 2.4.0 for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid) by OCEAN http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2011/08/17/compiling-flightgear-2-4-0-for-ubuntu-10-04/comment-page-1/#comment-243640 OCEAN Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:38:45 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=705#comment-243640 Thanks a lot! Note, please, that it have to be done in userspace, f.e. ~/TMP/ Thanks a lot! Note, please, that it have to be done in userspace, f.e. ~/TMP/

]]> Comment on Compiling FlightGear 2.4.0 for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid) by Lucas http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2011/08/17/compiling-flightgear-2-4-0-for-ubuntu-10-04/comment-page-1/#comment-243419 Lucas Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:45:53 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=705#comment-243419 Hope this works, I'm still using 10.04.3. Thanks in advance! Hope this works, I’m still using 10.04.3. Thanks in advance!

]]> Comment on Compiling FlightGear 2.4.0 for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid) by Mitchell http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2011/08/17/compiling-flightgear-2-4-0-for-ubuntu-10-04/comment-page-1/#comment-243206 Mitchell Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:23:14 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=705#comment-243206 Hunt around for them in the archives? Tell me you're not serious. That's a real help. Hunt around for them in the archives? Tell me you’re not serious. That’s a real help.

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Ramsin http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-243185 Ramsin Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:26:42 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-243185 Wow...I thought it was only a state side (how is that for self centered/absorbed?). Let me tell you guys, it's not different here in the US. I'm actually trying to track a package from the UK to US...and neither side knows what is going on...great. Wow…I thought it was only a state side (how is that for self centered/absorbed?). Let me tell you guys, it’s not different here in the US. I’m actually trying to track a package from the UK to US…and neither side knows what is going on…great.

]]> Comment on Compiling FlightGear 2.4.0 for Ubuntu Linux 10.04 (Lucid) by rodoman http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2011/08/17/compiling-flightgear-2-4-0-for-ubuntu-10-04/comment-page-1/#comment-242828 rodoman Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:36:31 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=705#comment-242828 How do I run on Ubuntu 11.10? How do I run on Ubuntu 11.10?

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Jason http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-242531 Jason Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:24:23 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-242531 I have worked for RM for a number of years and it seems that a lot of people are pointing the finger at the delivery staff, I can only talk for my self but I am given a certain number of letters or parcels each day, and 99% get delivered the 1% may include as someone else said a style of handwriting I cannot read or understand, or an incomplete address with no return address, Seriously though I would like to see you find another service willing to pick up a first class letter, sort it, send to desired sorting office and personally delivered by hand to your front door for less then 0.50pence, again as someone said 90% get there next day and the rest between 2-3 days. I for one am proud of the service i provide to my customers and to this day have never received a complaint. I have worked for RM for a number of years and it seems that a lot of people are pointing the finger at the delivery staff, I can only talk for my self but I am given a certain number of letters or parcels each day, and 99% get delivered the 1% may include as someone else said a style of handwriting I cannot read or understand, or an incomplete address with no return address, Seriously though I would like to see you find another service willing to pick up a first class letter, sort it, send to desired sorting office and personally delivered by hand to your front door for less then 0.50pence, again as someone said 90% get there next day and the rest between 2-3 days. I for one am proud of the service i provide to my customers and to this day have never received a complaint.

]]> Comment on Turning off Sametime Pop-ups by André http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2010/06/18/turning-off-sametime-pop-ups/comment-page-1/#comment-241941 André Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:56:50 +0000 http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/?p=639#comment-241941 We use Sametiem Entry 8.5.1 and with the standard policy settings it is not possible to turn it off. Is there an other way to turn it off? Can it be done via a notes.ini setting? We use Sametiem Entry 8.5.1 and with the standard policy settings it is not possible to turn it off.

Is there an other way to turn it off?
Can it be done via a notes.ini setting?

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Dave http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241853 Dave Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:35:43 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241853 Hi there, I understand the frustrations but I wanted to share our experience with two e-commerce businesses. The main one is www.thewellyshop.com. We sell wellingtons by mail order and via the net. We post tens of thousands of items each year with Royal Mail, Royal Mail international, DPD and Parcelforce so we have a good based of experience to draw from. Last year we had only about 2 out of 10,000 plus items that didn't arrive with Royal Mail. We had others where customers had queried items with us and they turned out to be at their local sorting office and a description of the goods enabled them to be traced. Generally the issue there was a label had come off or become damaged (torn, rained on?) in transit. We print labels and barcode all our mail for efficient delivery. I think having printed labels definitely helps. I think quite often the delivery issues may be where customers handwrite labels and everyone's style is different so they cannot be machine read or for signed (recorded) mail where they are out and the "while you were out" card gets caught up with junk mail and gets thrown out and they end up at the sorting office possibly with no return address. We had a similar number of issues with Parcelforce and a lot more issues with RM International (using Airsure to Germany - Packstation addresses) and DPD to France. I agree the tracking internationally with Royal Mail International is terrible, and we would love this to be improved (whilst keeping prices low). The problem is for them to communicate with other generally state owned organisations where the network involves passing a bag of mail from location to location. This is where for example with airsure and international signed for you get the unhelpful message saying the parcel is in Germany or Australia or wherever. It shouldn't be too difficlt to scan all items say that are in a bag that goes to Sydney (Bag ABC10) and then when this arrives for the local service to scan the items or the bag (and you know the items in it) and feed into a central computer system. The problems I suspect are that firstly there is no standard international barcode or reference for mail that can be scanned by all mail services (just my guess) and secondly there is no margin made by the receiving country to invest in their systems and processes. In contrast Fedex, UPS etc make more marging as they handle the parcel from start to finish but they also charge a heck of a lot more. Some countries do scan the mail and contacting RM directly they can see this (hidden) information internally. It would be good if they displayed on their website. Even couriers can deliver internationally badly. For instance apartments in France where a customer indicates the door entry code and the information is ignored. In our experience and qualified by feedback from our RM account manager, about 90% of 1st class mail gets delivered the next day which is pretty good considering it's a best attempt service and special delivery or tracked should be used for critical documents as it goes through a different secure network and is barcode scanned at each stage of the journey. In some cases in times of bad weather such as Winter 2010 snow we also found Royal Mail 1st class delivered to the UK in time for Christmas as the postman/woman walks the last mile and can walk in snow whereas the courier vans got stuck! Just my comments and I hope they may be useful to someone. I would go courier for international if irreplaceable and urgent or keep a receipt and get a proof of posting. Now I'm off back to work on the wellies! All the best! Dave Hi there,

I understand the frustrations but I wanted to share our experience with two e-commerce businesses. The main one is http://www.thewellyshop.com. We sell wellingtons by mail order and via the net.

We post tens of thousands of items each year with Royal Mail, Royal Mail international, DPD and Parcelforce so we have a good based of experience to draw from.

Last year we had only about 2 out of 10,000 plus items that didn’t arrive with Royal Mail.

We had others where customers had queried items with us and they turned out to be at their local sorting office and a description of the goods enabled them to be traced. Generally the issue there was a label had come off or become damaged (torn, rained on?) in transit.

We print labels and barcode all our mail for efficient delivery. I think having printed labels definitely helps.

I think quite often the delivery issues may be where customers handwrite labels and everyone’s style is different so they cannot be machine read or for signed (recorded) mail where they are out and the “while you were out” card gets caught up with junk mail and gets thrown out and they end up at the sorting office possibly with no return address.

We had a similar number of issues with Parcelforce and a lot more issues with RM International (using Airsure to Germany – Packstation addresses) and DPD to France.

I agree the tracking internationally with Royal Mail International is terrible, and we would love this to be improved (whilst keeping prices low). The problem is for them to communicate with other generally state owned organisations where the network involves passing a bag of mail from location to location. This is where for example with airsure and international signed for you get the unhelpful message saying the parcel is in Germany or Australia or wherever.

It shouldn’t be too difficlt to scan all items say that are in a bag that goes to Sydney (Bag ABC10) and then when this arrives for the local service to scan the items or the bag (and you know the items in it) and feed into a central computer system.

The problems I suspect are that firstly there is no standard international barcode or reference for mail that can be scanned by all mail services (just my guess) and secondly there is no margin made by the receiving country to invest in their systems and processes. In contrast Fedex, UPS etc make more marging as they handle the parcel from start to finish but they also charge a heck of a lot more.
Some countries do scan the mail and contacting RM directly they can see this (hidden) information internally. It would be good if they displayed on their website.

Even couriers can deliver internationally badly. For instance apartments in France where a customer indicates the door entry code and the information is ignored.

In our experience and qualified by feedback from our RM account manager, about 90% of 1st class mail gets delivered the next day which is pretty good considering it’s a best attempt service and special delivery or tracked should be used for critical documents as it goes through a different secure network and is barcode scanned at each stage of the journey.

In some cases in times of bad weather such as Winter 2010 snow we also found Royal Mail 1st class delivered to the UK in time for Christmas as the postman/woman walks the last mile and can walk in snow whereas the courier vans got stuck!

Just my comments and I hope they may be useful to someone. I would go courier for international if irreplaceable and urgent or keep a receipt and get a proof of posting.
Now I’m off back to work on the wellies!

All the best!

Dave

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by TOM Dickens http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241705 TOM Dickens Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:06:42 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241705 I posted a recorded mail letter on 15/10/2011, and when I track and Trace the Royal mails website states "it was posted from London Post Office and is being processed through our network for delivery”. Today, is Date: 10/12/2011 and it still showing the same message. What a poor, bad and most appalling service. When you complaint about it they drag on with variety of excuse answers and then state provide original receipt of it and fill form for the refund of Postage. The fact seems to be no body bothers the signed piece of postmans paper when he returns to his depot to be scanned for records of sign delivery, probably they must be throwing away signature paper in dustbin. Shame on Royal Mail!!! I posted a recorded mail letter on 15/10/2011, and when I track and Trace the Royal mails website states “it was posted from London Post Office and is being processed through our network for delivery”. Today, is Date: 10/12/2011 and it still showing the same message. What a poor, bad and most appalling service. When you complaint about it they drag on with variety of excuse answers and then state provide original receipt of it and fill form for the refund of Postage. The fact seems to be no body bothers the signed piece of postmans paper when he returns to his depot to be scanned for records of sign delivery, probably they must be throwing away signature paper in dustbin. Shame on Royal Mail!!!

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Michael http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241704 Michael Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:03:35 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241704 I posted a recorded mail letter on 15/10/2011, and when I track and Trace the Royal mails website states " it was posted from London Post Office and is being processed through our network for delivery". Today, is 10/12/2011b and it still showing the same message. What a poor, bad and most appalling service. When you complaint about it they drag on with variety of answers and then state provide original receipt of it and fill form for refund of Postage. The fact seems to be no body bothers the signed piece of postmans paper when he returns to his depot to be scnned for records of sign delivery, probably they ust be throwing away signature paper in dustbin. Shame on Royal Mail. I posted a recorded mail letter on 15/10/2011, and when I track and Trace the Royal mails website states ” it was posted from London Post Office and is being processed through our network for delivery”. Today, is 10/12/2011b and it still showing the same message. What a poor, bad and most appalling service. When you complaint about it they drag on with variety of answers and then state provide original receipt of it and fill form for refund of Postage. The fact seems to be no body bothers the signed piece of postmans paper when he returns to his depot to be scnned for records of sign delivery, probably they ust be throwing away signature paper in dustbin. Shame on Royal Mail.

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Khan http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241470 Khan Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:12:25 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241470 Hi I sent my precious degress to Pakistan from UK using Royal Mail's International Signed For service. After 10 working days,I checked on their tracking website and they have reached Australia!! They have delivered to a wrong country. Royal Mail is the worse service you can ever imagine! you can never replace your lifetime achievments back once they go missing!! Even if they pay me compensation which i doubt they will, i will never get my original documents back! Shame on you Royal Mail. Poor service as ever! Hi I sent my precious degress to Pakistan from UK using Royal Mail’s International Signed For service. After 10 working days,I checked on their tracking website and they have reached Australia!! They have delivered to a wrong country. Royal Mail is the worse service you can ever imagine! you can never replace your lifetime achievments back once they go missing!! Even if they pay me compensation which i doubt they will, i will never get my original documents back! Shame on you Royal Mail. Poor service as ever!

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by john http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241302 john Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:08:04 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241302 I ordered an item on-line and received a tracking number. Today Track & Trace tells me they couldn't deliver my item so it's in the sorting office awaiting my instructions. Fine, but no-one's put anything through my door so how am I supposed to know delivery was attempted and how am I supposed to prove my entitlement to the parcel when I go to the sorting office ??? I ordered an item on-line and received a tracking number. Today Track & Trace tells me they couldn’t deliver my item so it’s in the sorting office awaiting my instructions. Fine, but no-one’s put anything through my door so how am I supposed to know delivery was attempted and how am I supposed to prove my entitlement to the parcel when I go to the sorting office ???

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Jason http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-241207 Jason Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:00:15 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-241207 I posted a parcel using International Signed For. Although the parcel did get delivered, a signature was not taken and the parcel was just left in the recipients mail box. When I complained to Royal Mail, they told me that I'd need to direct my complaint the the US Postal Service as it's out of their hands once it's left the UK. Further more, due to this experience, I decided to use Airsure instead because although Airsure does not require a signature, it does state that the parcel can be tracked right to recipients door. However, when attempting to track the parcel, it still just said "The parcel has been passed to the US postal service for delivery". Absolutely useless when my customers ask where the parcel is. Even after it's been delivered, the only message I get is :- "Your item, posted on 15/11/11 with reference ??? was delivered in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on 25/11/11. Thank you for using this service." Proof of Delivery is not yet available for this tracking reference" I posted a parcel using International Signed For. Although the parcel did get delivered, a signature was not taken and the parcel was just left in the recipients mail box. When I complained to Royal Mail, they told me that I’d need to direct my complaint the the US Postal Service as it’s out of their hands once it’s left the UK.

Further more, due to this experience, I decided to use Airsure instead because although Airsure does not require a signature, it does state that the parcel can be tracked right to recipients door. However, when attempting to track the parcel, it still just said “The parcel has been passed to the US postal service for delivery”. Absolutely useless when my customers ask where the parcel is. Even after it’s been delivered, the only message I get is :-

“Your item, posted on 15/11/11 with reference ??? was delivered in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on 25/11/11.

Thank you for using this service.”

Proof of Delivery is not yet available for this tracking reference”

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Kerry http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-240849 Kerry Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:54:58 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-240849 I Recently posted 2x Gadgets out to a Couple of Buyers via Special Next Day Delivery. When I checked that day they didnt reach my buyers until 2:45 I thought Special Delivery was always ment to reach you before 1pm lol very odd! I Recently posted 2x Gadgets out to a Couple of Buyers via Special Next Day Delivery.

When I checked that day they didnt reach my buyers until 2:45 I thought Special Delivery was always ment to reach you before 1pm lol very odd!

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Adrian http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-240695 Adrian Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:52:10 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-240695 P.S I'm asking watchdog to investigate so please keep the experiences coming in. We will get this situation changed. P.S I’m asking watchdog to investigate so please keep the experiences coming in. We will get this situation changed.

]]> Comment on Royal Mail Track & Trace is Pointless by Adrian http://www.andrewferrier.com/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/comment-page-2/#comment-240694 Adrian Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:32:45 +0000 http://www.new-destiny.co.uk/andrew/blog/2006/07/23/royal-mail-track-trace-is-pointless/#comment-240694 Never use royal mail international signed for... Their website states 'reassurance your parcel has been delivered.' Call centre staff say we cant provide that information sir. I sent a parcel to mexico, they said I have to check with the mexican postal service to see if it was delivered??? What am I paying for... Wait to 2 to 4 weeks to make a claim, in which time paypal close the 'item not received claim'. Paypal and Royal Mail dont know their own business processes. Avoid!!! Never use royal mail international signed for…

Their website states ‘reassurance your parcel has been delivered.’

Call centre staff say we cant provide that information sir.

I sent a parcel to mexico, they said I have to check with the mexican postal service to see if it was delivered??? What am I paying for…

Wait to 2 to 4 weeks to make a claim, in which time paypal close the ‘item not received claim’. Paypal and Royal Mail dont know their own business processes.

Avoid!!!

]]>