I have lived in different countries and used delivery services everywhere but nowhere have I had so many issues as here in the UK. Twice have both DPD and Evri managed to deliver goods ordered to a wrong address. Once I have managed to find the property, 3 times I have not! Last time yesterday for something ordered by RS. I am not sure what the issue is. Do the companies put too much pressure on drivers? Is the selection process flawed or are work ethics just lacking here? It makes me question to offer delivery on anything I may sell. Have you had such bad luck?
Have you seen this thread?
Most UK delivery companies are international. One only has to browse the hifi forums of other countries to note that the things we experience are universal and are a function of the service delivery model rather than location.
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I recently moved back to UK from Isle of Man. IOM, whilst part of the British Isles and a Crown Protectorare, is not part of the UK and has ist own government, and being an offshore island with limited water crossing links many UK and international carriers do not deliver there, the main ones that do being Royal Mail, Evri, UPS and DHL. Others that might deliver there tend to charge exhorbitant surcharges. UPS and DHL have always been reliable, save for unavoidable weather-related delays. Evri mostly though on a few occasions there was an unexpected delay of up to a week. Royal Mail used to be excellent, became less time reliable when they switched from a dedicated mail plane to taking via ferry (for cost reasons), but in the past couple of years worsened markedly, with long delays and occasional losses of letters and small packets, in both directions. Having read of problems with RM in UK I assumed it was that rather than the IOM end.
In the past 4 months in North East of England all delivery services have been excellent - amazing even, things arriving next day when not expected for a week, deliveries on Saturdays and even Sundays with no extra having been charged. Services so far have included RM, DHL, DPD, DX and Evri. Maybe problems are more area related than UK wide, though of course this is limited time experience as yet.
You’ll learn 
.
I think it’s very easy to confuse good service, the company and the driver.
I could claim Evri in my area are fantastic because when Shane delivers he’s on time, always apologies if late and explains why without a defensive tone, his handling of items is always appropriate and his decision making when we’re out is spot on.
Sadly Evri use 3 or 4 other drivers and all are appalling. My next door neighbour would claim there is no upside to Evri because in order to stay on time Shane never delivers there.
Our Hello Fresh delivery was delivered by “not Shane: this morning. He rang the bell, dud not allow even a fraction of a second for me to move from sofa to front door before he was hammering on the window next to the door and peering in. I was at the door within 10 second and he still tutted when I answered. Despite the box clearly being labelled “This way up” he literally tipped it on its side in front of me. Numerous otherwise well packed items crushed in consequence. To finish off he took a photo of the box which posted my face onto the internet as I went to pick it up. The only way they allow this to be addressed is by phone. You can guess how well that works on a Sunday.
For every person saying service x is excellent you will find one saying not. I suspect, but don’t know, that service in rural areas may be better as there will be a smaller number of drivers available.
The problem is the model. It’s inconsistent because of that.
You are of course right. Unfortunately the driver IS the delivery company. They fail or succeed with them.
As to those problems being the same wherever in the world we are, I can only say that I have not experienced such issues either in Switzerland or Spain. Lucky? Perhaps but I have a feeling that work ethics as previously mentioned also come in to play … .
I find in London they are all fine with one notable exception: Royal Mail.
These delivery drivers I think are fighting the clock all the way to get their van load delivered. On the way they have to contend with heavy traffic and roadworks/diversions. On the whole I think they do a great job and I always make sure I thank them well when they ring the door.
The only services in our area that I have any issue with are Evri and Yodel. Fortunately Yodel don’t get used much for stuff we order but Evri is commonplace and they are pretty appalling - stuff not delivered though tracking says it is, fragile items thrown over the side gate etc. I always wince when I see that delivery will be by Evri.
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Best bit of advice I can give is to contact your local MP, highlighting issues you have had.