Are you going to be planning your last post dates against what Royal Mail are recommending - or do you think that’s all going to go into chaos in December and so adding on extra time? For UK post they’re saying 1st class post last date is 21st December (2nd is 18th December) - but I’ve heard some people suggesting that’s probably way too late and they’re going to cut off earlier.
What are you planning? What’s your feeling about it?
I will cut off earlier but still post up to Christmas without guarantee delivery. Last post for me 10th Dec then up to people if they want to take the chance. Not that they read the announcements!
Noticed my friend sent me a box of gifts last Friday got on Monday, 2nd class parcel post. That was Gloucestershire to Hampshire. An envelope light weight sent from Luton to Hampshire 1st class took 6 days. Because it had to go through London sorting offices.
last posting date for me will be 6th December to guarantee delivery for Christmas. It was beyond stressful last year!! I posted 70 odd parcels in the run up to christmas (from my other shop, this one is pretty much crickets) and every other day someone was messaging me to say a parcel hadn’t arrived. They all (bar 1) did arrive eventually but even 1st class was taking 2 weeks in some cases. It was horrendous and even though I don’t think this year will be as bad I’m not taking the chance of going through that again. I still post after my cut off date but stress that I can’t guarantee delivery in time for christmas. Some people wil take a chance x
I usually set a date a 3 or 4 days before the 2nd class Royal Mail date, this means people have chance to receive their order and post on if needed (I mostly sell cards)
My dates are up and not quite as early as I had last year but still earlier than the Royal Mail dates. I just have them as a warning though and will still post things after if anyone wants to take the risk (or they don’t actually need it for the day).