Royal Mail have lost my dads watch

[matchmaker]

My dad died when I was young (10) and I inherited his wristwatch. It was a gold Smiths, engraved on the back and presented to him in 1955 after 25 years service.

It stopped working years ago, but recently I decided to get it repaired so I put it in to a local watchmaker.

When I got home today a letter was waiting for me - to paraphrase the contents, my watch was sent away for repair, repaired, and sent back to the watchmaker by Royal Mail Special Delivery. But didn't turn up - Royal Mail have apparently lost it.

Apologies, etc, not our fault and Royal Mail are investigating.

To put it mildly, I'm livid. I've no idea of the monetary value and don't really care, but it is of enormous sentimental value. It's all I have left of Dad.

Now, I can understand that Royal Mail are investigating, but can I do anything myself. I doubt if I can go to the police, as at the moment there is no proof that a crime has been committed, but want to do something!

Any ideas?

[matchmaker]

longshot said:

Did you know the watchmaker was going to post it to someone else to repair?

Also, and I know it is known to happen but HTH do the Royal Mail manage to lose a parcel?

No - I put it in to them as they are a long established watchmaker. I did not expect them to send it away. If I had, I would have put it in to the jewellers that my wife uses for getting her Swiss watch serviced. It has managed to travel to Rotary twice without getting lost - and in monetary terms it's worth a hell of a lot more than my dads!


As for losing a parcel - Special Delivery is supposed to be tracked. I'm going to get the tracking number and see what happens...

[matchmaker]

elanfan said:

C'mon OP give us an update. Have you obtained the tracking info?

I've written to the watchmaker to ask for this information.

[matchmaker]

carinaman said:

BertBert said:

Out of curiosity, why write and not phone?

Unless you record the call there's no proof of what was said and who took the call.

A letter provides better traceability.

I'd have sent it signed for.

I think there may be fewer opportunities for it to turn into an emotional or defensive slanging match if it's done in writing and not on the phone.

Yes, audit trail. I'll see what the response is before I turn legalese...

[matchmaker]

Nickyboy said:

matchmaker said:

I've written to the watchmaker to ask for this information.

Why?

You've only asked for a tracking number, an email would suffice.

That relies on them providing an e-mail address!

[matchmaker]

An update. The watchmaker phoned me this morning and has supplied me with the tracking numbers - RM have for some reason allocated a second number to the parcel. Not that either will help - the packet containing my watch and four other items arrived at the watchmakers damaged and empty!

Royal Mail are continuing to investigate...carelessness or dishonesty it would seem.

[matchmaker]

Royal Mail investigations have turned up nothing. I have received a cheque in compensation from the watchmaker which is very nice, but nothing can compensate for the loss of an heirloom

[matchmaker]

carinaman said:

matchmaker said:

Royal Mail investigations have turned up nothing. I have received a cheque in compensation from the watchmaker which is very nice, but nothing can compensate for the loss of an heirloom

I'm sorry to learn that.

Did Royal Mail track and trace show the steps the package containing the watches took en route to the watch repairer? Did Royal Mail show that the package got to the watch repairer?

Yes. The package made it safely to Edinburgh Mail Centre. From that point on things get confusing. A second tracking number was allocated at Edinburgh. Both numbers got to Alloa Delivery Office. The second number was that which was received damaged. The original number is still shown as "out for delivery" - after 2 months!