Royal Mail Delivery Options - No Tracked Options in Seller Central
Hi
My understanding is that I need to maintain my VTR, but when I purchase labels from Amazon Seller Central, the options for Royal Mail are only 1st class and 2nd class (no tracking options) for me to purchase. I wondered if by purchasing the 2nd class large letter option I am negatively affecting my score? If so, why would amazon offer only these options for RM and not the tracked options? (Tracked 48 large letter?)
Any help would be appreciated… thanks!
Royal Mail Delivery Options - No Tracked Options in Seller Central
Hi
My understanding is that I need to maintain my VTR, but when I purchase labels from Amazon Seller Central, the options for Royal Mail are only 1st class and 2nd class (no tracking options) for me to purchase. I wondered if by purchasing the 2nd class large letter option I am negatively affecting my score? If so, why would amazon offer only these options for RM and not the tracked options? (Tracked 48 large letter?)
Any help would be appreciated… thanks!
Seller_DTufFoxJuMU0M
I can’t buy tracked24 or tracked48 on buy shipping, it tells me I need to link to my OBA.
Silly since it is readily available on click and drop - but I guess the restrictions about drop off put Amazon off offering it (can’t be taken to a post office for example)
@Leah7
As mentioned above, VTR is a confusing metric.
What Amazon are basically saying that IF you send your orders by a method that has tracking (or a delivery confirmation) then you need to supply a valid tracking number, if you don’t then you need to record the orders dispatch correctly.
Unfortunately Amazons idea of correctly is not what Click and Drop will select when they automatically your order as dispatched for you.
If you are purchasing standard 1st or 2nd class letters or large letters then you can select Royal Mail and Stamps/Franking - orders dispatched like this are excluded from the VTR calculation and if you ONLY dispatch using these methods your VTR will be N/A
If you are purchasing 1st or 2nd class parcels, RM24, or RM48 then these items come with a delivery confirmation and Amazon will want that number (note that these systems don’t have a high enough scan rate to keep your VTR out of warning zone (around 85% currently), but Amazon have said they will validate the tracking numbers before they suspend categories to check that its a valid number but Royal mail just didn’t scan it on delivery)
If you are purchasing tracked24/48 or special delivery etc, or from other couriers then Amazon will want the tracking number which should have a high VTR rate as they are scanned at multiple times along the network.
If you are buying from Amazon then just purchase whatever postage method you want (ignoring vtr) and Amazon will record it correctly.
Edit : sorry Jilly not sure why thats tagging you as a reply, wasn’t supposed to!
21 replies
Seller_UUJAfV9h2D90D
To my knowledge, if you use “Buy shipping” from AMZ with a non tracked service, your VTR will be “N/A” which will not negatively affect your metrics. In honesty, FBM is not my forte but @JillyB1 or @NEil i’m sure will be able to confirm.
Edit - Other experienced sellers are available 
Seller_NoMNQDGnEW5Bx
Yes that’s right
Tracked options are only available if you link your RM business account but there’s no need to buy tracked (unless you want to obviously)
Seller_DROodOAYHftnc
That’s not correct - you can buy tracked options via Buy Shipping - can buy all RM shipping options including SD.
Seller_NoMNQDGnEW5Bx
I can’t buy tracked 24 and 48 on buy shipping
Seller_DROodOAYHftnc
Sorry, have never used either of those - I was thinking more of ‘signed for’ and SD - apologies for misleading folks ! - I don’t have a linked account either.
Seller_ZQyopdiwkUHOZ
I think you can get Signed For services without a linked account, but need a linked account for Tracked 24/48 and Untracked 24/48, because they’re only available to business account holders. If that’s the case, I am surprised Amazon don’t have a deal with RM to be able to sell on those two services.
Seller_DTufFoxJuMU0M
I can’t buy tracked24 or tracked48 on buy shipping, it tells me I need to link to my OBA.
Silly since it is readily available on click and drop - but I guess the restrictions about drop off put Amazon off offering it (can’t be taken to a post office for example)
@Leah7
As mentioned above, VTR is a confusing metric.
What Amazon are basically saying that IF you send your orders by a method that has tracking (or a delivery confirmation) then you need to supply a valid tracking number, if you don’t then you need to record the orders dispatch correctly.
Unfortunately Amazons idea of correctly is not what Click and Drop will select when they automatically your order as dispatched for you.
If you are purchasing standard 1st or 2nd class letters or large letters then you can select Royal Mail and Stamps/Franking - orders dispatched like this are excluded from the VTR calculation and if you ONLY dispatch using these methods your VTR will be N/A
If you are purchasing 1st or 2nd class parcels, RM24, or RM48 then these items come with a delivery confirmation and Amazon will want that number (note that these systems don’t have a high enough scan rate to keep your VTR out of warning zone (around 85% currently), but Amazon have said they will validate the tracking numbers before they suspend categories to check that its a valid number but Royal mail just didn’t scan it on delivery)
If you are purchasing tracked24/48 or special delivery etc, or from other couriers then Amazon will want the tracking number which should have a high VTR rate as they are scanned at multiple times along the network.
If you are buying from Amazon then just purchase whatever postage method you want (ignoring vtr) and Amazon will record it correctly.
Edit : sorry Jilly not sure why thats tagging you as a reply, wasn’t supposed to!
Seller_fNXtTJU3wwibH
Thanks so so much for this, that clarifies my question. So on my drop down of options in seller central, I selected 2nd class large letter, purchased the label. I’m not sure if I need to do anything after that in regards to your point about Stamps/Franking? Do I need to select some option which says stamps and franking as I cant see any options for this.
Thanks!
Seller_UUJAfV9h2D90D
If you purchased postage through Amazon platform and not Royal Mail directly. You don’t need to do anything.
Seller_DROodOAYHftnc
If you have purchased directly via Buy Shipping you need do nothing else - Amazon confirms shipment as soon as you purchase the label.
You just need to drop off at PO if you want a Proof of posting receipt (in case of INR claim), or if you want to risk it, then pop it in a postbox.
The Stamps/Franking optionfor confirming shipment is only if you are purchasing your postage either online (RM C&D if not integrated) or at the PO, and need to confirm shipment manually.
Seller_VpCo66bNpSxda
We have been ‘warned’ due to sending out Royal Mail untracked. This is obviously an Amazon problem not us ‘small time’ sellers/businesses.
Seller_Qvd3h40mpqhkC
i buy 000’s of large letter 2nd class per month and my VTR is 100%
also you say there is no tracked options… there is you have signed for and special delivery available to you
the issue for me with Tracked 24 and Tracked 48 is my local PO wont take them, they have to goto the sorting office
