Genealogy Chat

I phoned GRO today to complain about the delivery delay and they said it was down to TNT (which we all know about by now)and their '1st class post dept' problems. They told me to wait another week and if it hasnt come then ring GRO again to re-order. So I have vented some of my anger by sending a feedback complaint to TNT. I hope some of you can do the same. www(.)tnt(.)com/feedback/feedbackInitial(.)do Ann

Thanks Ann - will have a look tomorrow. A

Ann, I wonder if the certs to be sent overseas are also done by TNT as two that I ordered on the 26 arrived today . Two other from the 28th must be done as I got an email on tuesday to say they are refunding me 4 pound. I should get them at the beginning of next week if the post is as usual. Teresa

Teresa, I'm not sure of my facts when it comes to overseas deliveries, but I do know my friend in Canada doesnt have to wait as long as I do here in UK. So probably yes. Cheers Ann

What I cannot understand is why contract out to TNT in the first place when the majority of the certs will be delivered by Royal Mail anyway...perhaps I am have a senior moment here and I am missing something ?? I am still awaiting, like many others, certs with despatch date of 28th June. Others with despatch date of 7th June...so I won't hold my breath for delivery today!! Will certainly email TNT tomorrow and put in my complaint. Linda

I don't want to rub salt into anyone's wounds, but I ordered 2 with a dispatch date of July 10th and the first arrived today....the 8th !!!!!!! Shame my Gt Gt Grandmother didn't name the Father of her Daughter, but at least I have her full name and date of birth now.

I rang yesterday and was asked to wait a bit longer too- The man said that using TNT was simply a matter of cost because thay are having such large volumes of requests. I presume it saves time for GRO if TNT sort them before they go to GPO. I pointed out that it was now actually 'costing' their customer service'. He agreed that it had all backfired. He also said that they would not be able to 'justify' re-issuing certs! They better had. Postman has been this morning and still nothing arrived. Wouldn't mind but I'm near enough to collect if they would let me. Simone x

TNT no doubt have massive government contracts (read v.cheap). Cos they know that they will have x amount to keep the system rolling,but rely on 'third party' handling at the final stage (your letterbox) they will claim it is beyond their control. Modern business relies on low margin high turnover contracts,and service goes out the window. The theory is it's better to make a penny per item and shift 20,000 than 5 pence a throw and move 2000.Any item you lose is less of a financial burden when you only make a penny a go. If you can stick with the local/county Register Office,you often get the personal touch along with a better and quicker service for the same price. Glen

hi, i orderedmine on the 26 june got them this morning hazel.

Hi I ordered mine on the 26th june and still no show. I rang the GRO yesterday and the lady who was very helpfl said that mine had been dispatched a few days ago, she then told about the TNT situation and give it to the end of next week then ring back and they will reissue the cert. I am postman for Royal Mail and know all about TNT and other courier firms under cutting Royal mail. All they want is the big customers in the big cities so they can make big profit they don't want to know about the villages and an out post they let Royal Mail do that work at a loss. I know Royal Mail gets a bad press but for 30p you get a letter from one side of the country to the other and 9/10 the next day. So we should stress the GRO to return to using Royal Mail which is still 51% goverment owned.

I ordered mine on the 16th June----all five of them arrived today!! At long last and only one wrong one! Ann.

I ordered one on June 14 - delivered July 5; another ordered June 25 with dispatch date of July 5 - no cert (I'm in Cda too), but no email either saying they couldn't find - could be a good thing maybe come next week? But I ordered a marriage cert yesterday with shipping date of July 14. Are marriage certs faster or is their backlog? clearing. Sue in Canada

Theres hope for everyone, I got mine yesterday, 9 days late. So everyone else's should be on the way.

Got mine this morning and it was due the middle of last week. I know I'm sad but I'm glad it was late as I can now play with the info all day. If it had arrived during the week I'd have been at work gumping like mad.

OMG....just arrived home after a day out and all my certs have arrived....including those that had a despatch date of 7th July. Woohoo!! And all mine mine mine !! So there is hope for us yet...fingers crossed!! Linda

Friday I phoned ONS to find out why the delay on my order. they said TNT had 'lost' those due to be posted 27-29th June. They said they will be sending out duplicates. Today I received 3 of the 5 ordered with despatch date 29th June. They came via TNT. I suppose that means I will now receive the duplicates as well via GPO. What a mess and what an expensive experiment for the ONS. I think in future I will deal with the local RO Kat...very cross. esp as one of the certs wasn't mine! boo hoo, Typical, ... choice of two possibles and I picked the wrong one.

Up here in sunny Far North Queensland, where Cobb & Co seem still to be operating, our latest request to the G.R.O. was made 28.06.2006, Estimated Date of Despatch 06.07.2006, Estimated Receipt by Mailbox up to mid-week 12.07.2006 Regards, Sheila

I ordered a cert on Sunday 25 June and got it yesterday 8/7. Fi

At last...my cert came today (Sat 8th) found it last night after a day out. Althought it is what I ordered, I'm still none the wiser.....don't know where to go from here with my Inglebys !!! It's been a long wait to be no further forward. Jean

Just got back from a long weekend away. I had 2 certs waiting for me, one was due despatch on 28 June the other 5 July. They both arrived either 7th or 8th July. I also had an e mail from gro in responce to my complaint. 'Thank you for your e-mail. We can confirm your order has been processed by this office and was due out on 28.6.2006. However we are currently experiencing problems with our postal provider , which we are endeavouring to resolve. We apologise for any inconvenience the delay may cause, you should receive your order shortly,' Ann Glos