I ordered something online the other day and was looking forward to getting home to test it out on Tuesday. Unfortunately I instead returned home to a failed delivery notice from City Link. Now let me just say that this is not the first time I have had to deal with City Link, and I’ve absolutely never had a good experience with them.

I called the telephone number and got through to their automated system that presented me with the following options:

1. Arrange to collect from my “local” depot
2. Reschedule delivery for another day (Mon-Fri only)
3. Have my item returned to the sender

My so-called local City Link depot is 15 miles from my house, I work Monday to Friday, and I don’t want to return my item to the sender. I left a note on my front door for when they reattempted delivery on Wednesday. The note said the following:

Please leave the delivery with any neighbour. I work during all of your delivery hours, and don’t drive. Even leave it at the back of the house if you must. Thanks, Stuart Gilbert

I got home on Wednesday evening to find the note still on the front door, and another failed delivery notification on my living room floor. This notification didn’t specify a consignment number, or that delivery would be attempted again.

Today I checked on their website for the ability to change the delivery address and found the following in their FAQ:

Can I arrange to have my parcel(s) delivered to a different address?

We receive the delivery address from our Customers, your supplier. If you wish to change the delivery address then you will need to contact your supplier to see if this is possible. If your supplier agrees to change the delivery address then they will inform us of the change and we will act accordingly.

I called their branch to see if common sense would prevail when I was speaking nicely to an actual human being, but the lady I spoke to just read off the same information to me. I pointed out that I may not always know who the sender of a parcel is, but the lady didn’t seem to understand that. I asked why only the sender could change the delivery address and she said it’s because they charge for a change of delivery address. I asked if I could pay the charge, and she said it has to be the sender. Absolutely ridiculous.

City Link, you are the absolute shittest delivery company I have ever had the repeated misfortune of dealing with. I’d rather have my mail handled by Royal Mail on strike than use you ever again. Get your shit together!