Four digit code you never want to see on Royal Mail parcels

Ahead of Christmas, our posties have had more work to do than ever, with many of us placing online shopping orders before December 25.

This year’s Royal Mail strikes have seen a number of us waiting longer than usual for things to arrive, as posties have walked out in a row over pay and working conditions. Because of this, the postal company urged customers to send things in advance.

And on top of this, some people will have missed their deliveries due to not being home, or not getting to the door in time.

READ MORE: NHS, DWP, post and train strike dates from now until February

The Royal Mail uses a special code – P739 – for a failed delivery.

If you receive a P739 card this means you will have to collect the item from the sorting office yourself, and this can mean having to wait until the next day depending on what time you find the card. However, in some cases you may be able to organise a redelivery.

Last year, one postal worker vowed not to deliver mail to a resident after they left a ranting note accusing him of “pretending” to ring their doorbell with a parcel.

The postman adamantly denied the accusation, and a Royal Mail spokesperson at the time said: “Every single item of mail is important to us. Our postmen and women work extremely hard to deliver to mail to customers across the country, six days a week, in all weathers.

“Thankfully the vast majority of items are securely delivered to customers, but if we believe a customer is not at home, we will attempt to deliver the item to a neighbour and leave a card.

“If we can’t deliver to them, we’ll leave a card and take the item back to the Customer Service Point where customers can either collect it or arrange a redelivery.

“We would advise anyone who has delivery concerns can contact the Royal Mail customer service team.”

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