How reliable is the German mail?

Question

I am living in Germany at the time being and ordered an Ipod from the United States.

It's been 3 weeks, and there is still nothing here. I'm afraid someone in the postal office or customs office stole it. I know that has happened in places like South Africa or the Philippines...but what is the likelihood of that happening in a place like Germany?

Answer 1

How did you get it sent?  (by which company I mean).

Normally electronic goods like this are sent (if ordered online) by registered mail/courier and therefore are able to be tracked online.  If there is no registration or update then contact the company directly

German post (like everything else in Germany) is run very well to a high standard - efficient & reliable.  However there is always of course a chance that the your shipment falls under the x% of shipments that don't arrive (or on time)

I had a friend who was a manager in the Dutch version of Deutschepost.  Yes theft does happen but there are very good procedures in place to detect this, and then to dismiss the person(s) concerned.

You mentioned customs, and this is a real risk.  Customs of course can & do hold packages which are suspect or where taxes should be incurred

THe best thing for you to do is to:

(a) if ordered online from the US, go back to the retailer first

(b) if sent from the US by family/friends then ask then to contact the US service provider (regular mail or courier) and then you do the same over here.

The site for Deutsche Post is also in English here http://www.deutschepost.de/dpag?tab=1&sk...

Best of luck