Christmas Delivery Information

Christmas Delivery, Royal Mail Strikes and Tracking Information

Current Information - 21st December 2022

Ongoing RM Strikes, restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery.

The CWU has formally notified Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action on Friday 23 December and Saturday 24 December 2022.

These strikes are across all services and will prevent collections and deliveries from and to businesses and homes across the country, as well as causing delays for all other couriers during the peak period.

Tracking and Delays

All our orders are dispatched with a tracking or reference number regardless of service. This information is in your dispatch confirmation email and also in your order history on this website. In the first instance please check this tracking information. All the carriers are working flat out, to make deliveries on time but there may be unavoidable delays.

As the courier networks have to take up the impact of RM industrial action, delays may well be unavoidable and our best advice is to order in good time.

Since the second week of December as it became apparent that the impact of the strikes on our deliveries would be significant, most parcels have been sent with Yodel. If your tracking code starts with YDL or your dispatch information states Yodel you can track it at https://yodeldirect.co.uk

Any tracking codes, including those for FedEx starting P2G can be tracked at https://parcel2go.com

Larger express items sent with Parcelforce 24 between strikes can be tracked at https://parcelforce.com

Christmas Hours of Business

Our last dispatch date before Christmas is 1pm on Thursday 22nd December.

We will be closed on Friday 23rd December 2022 through to 9th January 2023. Our first dispatch date of the new year will be MONDAY JANUARY 9TH 2023.

Emails and social media messages will be monitored during the break, any telephone messages will not be answered until we re-open THE BEST way to get in touch is via messenger on our Facebook Page OR The Chat Icon on each page of this website.

UK Standard Delivery

Our standard delivery is with Royal Mail 48 (2nd Class). Royal Mails last posting date for this service to expect to arrive in time for Christmas is SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER. You will be provided with a tracking number and you can enter this at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ full Royal Mail posting dates can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates

There are currently significant delays for this service, many parcels have been sent with Yodel instead - check your tracking information

UK 1st Class Upgrade Delivery

You can upgrade your delivery from Standard to 1st Class for just £3.95 per order. This is recommended for orders placed between SUNDAY 19TH DECEMBER and TUESDAY 21ST DECEMBER. You will be provided with a tracking number and you can enter this at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ full Royal Mail posting dates can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates

Due to the impact of Industrial action most 1st Class Upgrade orders have been sent with FedEx 2 day service and can be tracked at https://parcel2go.com

UK Express Delivery

Express delivery is available within mainland UK and recommended after 21st December at an additional cost of £10 per order. It may not be available to certain highlands and islands addresses. If there is an issue and you have purchased this service, we will contact you. This service is available within the UK and includes priority pick and pack by us so it leaves faster (queue jump) and is delivered either by Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day, DPD, ParcelForce or by DHL Overnight. Tracking details will always be provided. Royal Mail items will be provided with a tracking number and you can enter this at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ . DHL Parcels can be tracked at: https://www.dhl.co.uk/en/express/tracking.html

Due to the impact of Industrial action and DHL stopping collections after 18th December, most Express Upgrade orders have been sent with FedEx Overnight service and can be tracked at https://parcel2go.com

Sleigh Special Delivery

Most Sleigh Special upgraded orders have been sent with FedEx and can be tracked at http://parcel2go.com

International Deliveries

Services throughout Europe vary and we cannot guarantee or promise delivery before Christmas. If you are waiting for an order already placed, please check the tracking number provided on the carriers website. We generally use Royal Mail and DHL for all international deliveries. All international deliveries are tracked and most must be signed for.

We have recently significantly reduced our international shipping costs but if you have any queries, please contact us at service@theusefulshop.com

Please be sure to read our international delivery information.

If your order has not arrived or is too late

In the first instance please be sure to check your tracking information. Standard Royal Mail parcels only provide tracking when delivered so if no information is shown, it is still in the RM delivery network.

Please wait for your parcel to arrive, then if it is too late, contact us to organise a return.

For couriers, the tracking should say if they need more information, or if there is a problem with your parcel. Overall courier delivered parcels are being delivered as expected. If you do have a problem please contact us via the chat facility on this website as emails may not be picked up until January.