Medichecks ok in postbox

[Levo50]

Just a QQ... are blood samples ok to go straight into a postbox or is it preferable to personally hand it over in the post office?

[Fruitandnutcase]

I always hand mine over at the counter - think they are guaranteed next day delivery now.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Levo50

Medichecks now include a "Tracked 24" return envelope which, theoretically, can literally be put in a "priority" postbox (check Royal Mail's website for your nearest one) and will be delivered within 48 hours (Tracked 24 does not guarantee delivery within 24 hours). If you do this then make a note of the tracking number that is on the label on the return envelope, it will have 2 letters, 8 or 9 numbers, 2 letters, eg AB123456789CD. You can then track it on Royal Mail's tracking page.

The only problem with this, currently, is nobody knows what delays are occurring where with Royal Mail so it may take longer or it may get there in 24 or 48 hours.

If you want to ensure that it gets there as quickly as possible (next day), go to the Post Office counter and pay for "Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm". The normal charge is about £7-ish but they should reduce the cost by taking off whatever postage has been paid by Medichecks for the Tracked 24 service. You will be given a receipt with a tracking number, don't lose it because you will be able to track it on RM's tracking page. If it fails to be delivered the next day then you can claim the cost of the service back from RM as long as you have the receipt as proof.

[Levo50 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Great reply although I was too eager and I’ve already handed it in to the post office - I’ll note for next time though 😀

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Levo50]

Levo50

Just handing it over the post office counter is no different from putting it into the post box unless you purchase the Special Delivery service. It just goes into the sack picked up by the postman at their next pick up time.

Did you make a note of the tracking number that's on the return label so that you can track it and see when it arrives?