Why does my Royal Mail parcel still say were expecting it?

The “We’re Expecting It” Limbo: Why Your Royal Mail Parcel Isn’t Moving

Seeing “We’re Expecting It” on your Royal Mail tracking can be frustrating. It essentially means Royal Mail knows about your parcel, but hasn’t actually seen it yet. This status update appears after the sender creates a shipping label, but before they’ve physically handed the package over to Royal Mail for processing and delivery. So, while it sounds promising, it doesn’t guarantee your item is en route. Here’s a breakdown of why this happens and what you can do:

The Label-But-No-Parcel Paradox:

Think of it like booking a flight. You have a ticket (the label), but you haven’t yet arrived at the airport (the Royal Mail network). The airline knows you intend to fly, but can’t confirm your presence until you check in. Similarly, Royal Mail has a record of your parcel’s intended journey, but it’s still waiting for the physical item to arrive at one of their facilities.

Common Reasons for the “We’re Expecting It” Status:

• The sender hasn’t shipped yet: This is the most frequent reason. They might have printed the label in advance but haven’t actually dispatched the parcel. Life gets in the way, sometimes!
• Delays in collection: The sender might have dropped the parcel off at a Post Office or scheduled a collection, but there’s been a delay in Royal Mail picking it up. This can happen during peak periods or due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Technical glitches: Occasionally, there might be a temporary system error that prevents the tracking information from updating properly, even if the parcel is in transit.

What You Can Do:

1. Contact the Sender: Your first step should always be to contact the sender. Politely inquire if they have actually dispatched the parcel and confirm the date of dispatch. They are in the best position to provide accurate information.

2. Allow Reasonable Time: Give it a business day or two after the confirmed dispatch date. Sometimes, it takes a little while for the tracking to update, especially during busy periods.

3. Initiate an Investigation (Sender’s Responsibility): If the sender confirms dispatch and a reasonable amount of time has passed with no tracking update beyond “We’re Expecting It,” the sender should initiate an investigation with Royal Mail. They have the necessary proof of postage and can provide the details required for Royal Mail to trace the parcel. You, as the recipient, can’t initiate this process directly.

4. Stay Patient (and Proactive): While waiting for the investigation outcome, stay in communication with the sender for updates. Persistence is key to resolving these situations.

The “We’re Expecting It” status can be annoying, but it’s usually a temporary hiccup. By communicating with the sender and allowing them to take the lead in investigating, you’ll increase the chances of your parcel finally making its way to you.