Once again - playing the waiting game

[Colin Rowledge]

I am getting a little 'cheesed off' with the GRO.

Last year I ordered a certificate. It didn't arrive. I contacted the GRO 21 days after it was supposed to be dispatched and they said "we are not responsible for the poor mail delivery between England and Canada. Wait a while and then contact us ". Circumstances didn't enable me to attempt again until 3 months later. Rather than either a] redund my payment or b] send a replacement, it was suggested then that I was too late and to reorder. Reluctantly, I did and 10 days after the anticipated dispatch date it arrived. Fortunately for me, after spending 18.50 pounds it was the right one.

A friend of mine - also interested in Family History - indicated that as a birthday gift, they would like a certificate.

The birthday of this person is January 29. I ordered the certificate on January 4, 2012. The [supposed] dispatch date was January 11, 2012. Today is January 26, 2012 and it has not arrived. I contacted my friend and she was a little 'ticked off' with me.

There are alternatives to the GRO for obtaining certificates, but from what I have seen, these sites are somewhat more expensive. Every business has the right to make a profit but some are bordering on 'extortionate'.

I now have 2 questions:
1] How long should I wait [being in Canada] before I contact GRO for a replacement that would fit into their refund/replacement policy that does not appear to be defined on their web site?

2] What other sources to order certificates from, are there, that in the end will not cause my credit cards to bend?

Colin

[notanotherminer]

I'd advise you to just be patient and wait for it to arrive, Colin. The comment that the GRO made to you ("we are not responsible for the poor mail delivery between England and Canada. Wait a while and then contact us ".) was maybe a little brusque but it's nevertheless true.

Through my work with my local family history society I often send packages to Canada via airmail and I have often wondered why they seem to take longer than similar packages to the USA and Australia (or maybe I'm just unlucky)

Apart from ordering from the local register offices which might not be the most expedient method for overseas customers there is no other alternative where you won't have to pay escalated prices so you will get ripped off.

The thing that makes these extortionate prices seem even more ludicrous is that the companies concerned simply order from the GRO in the usual manner and then charge an extra £15+ handling charge for the privilege.

[geneius]

Hello Colin

You will like this comment form GRO

'It is always quicker, cheaper and safer to deal directly with the General Register Office for certificate orders.'

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-c...ading-websites

[Colin Rowledge]

Hello Colin

You will like this comment form GRO

'It is always quicker, cheaper and safer to deal directly with the General Register Office for certificate orders.'

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-c...ading-websites

Very funny ---- I don't think!!!

Seriously, though, it is true. If I have to reoder and pay again, then, provided I get what I want after the 2nd attempt, it will still work out cheaper than using some other sites!!!

[v.wells]

Patience is considered to be a virtue! I have had to wait up to 6 weeks for a certificate from the GRO and no they are not responsible for differences in mail delivery systems between the UK and Canada. Delays can be caused by any number of things eg: weather, flight connections and lazy employees on either end.

[Allanah]

When ordering from Australia I always allow 3 weeks from the date I order it to receiving it and it is mostly pretty close give a day or two. If it doesn't arrive (which is very rare) I ring them after 28 days and request a replacement. I have never had any unkind comments on these occassions, if fact they are always most helpfull.

Good luck
Allanah

[Colin Rowledge]

When ordering from Australia I always allow 3 weeks from the date I order it to receiving it and it is mostly pretty close give a day or two. If it doesn't arrive (which is very rare) I ring them after 28 days and request a replacement. I have never had any unkind comments on these occassions, if fact they are always most helpfull.

Good luck
Allanah

Hi Allanah

Your suggestion makes total sense to me but for one problem - I am profoundly deaf - so don't use the telephone. That is why I use email and get the 'snotty' responses because these people are 'Un-civil Servants'

The cert. was ordered January 4, 2012 - dispatch date January 11. It is now January 28.

A ship would take less time to get here

[Colin Rowledge]

I have now decided that the anticipate disptch date is a load of c--p

Patience is considered to be a virtue! I have had to wait up to 6 weeks for a certificate from the GRO.

Lazy employees on either end.

2 certificates were ordered in January and now both have arrived.

Certificate #1 was ordered January 4, with a dispatch date of January 11. It arrived on February 1, 2012.

Certificate #2 was ordered January 24, with a dispatch date of January 30. It arrived on February 3, 2012.

Folks, there ain't no way of knowing when these are gonna land here in Canada!!!!!

Colin