I've always used vpost for many years, many transactions.. and even combine package on hold...
I've had no problems at all.. everything was accounted for, well tracked.. and i always collect from the post office by myself.
I don't know why others are having so much problems with the vpost service. If it helps, mine were all apparel items..
Consider yourself very lucky. I shipped ~10x with vPOST and I always prefer to collect items from post office directly. I find external packaging always shows signs of poor handling: dirty, black marks, envelopes torn, boxes crushed, etc. No damage except for my last shipment which finally made me decide to try comGateway instead. Despite the evidence of poor handling (my envelope was folded and torn at all corners and had black dirt all over), vPOST refused to take responsibility of the damage. The reason was: the packaging was not good enough to withstand their poor handling (in their words was: to withstand the way they handle and process items).
Not to mention that various CSO only repeated the same unhelpful reply to my emails. When I asked what vPOST deems as satisfactory/good packaging, the answer given to me was: "Let us not discuss about the details". Sigh..
Who did you call?
There's no customer service officers in Singpost afaik.
Most of the time I communicate via email so that I have a written proof of their reply. If still unsuccessful after a week via email, then I will call the number listed on their website.
As it was beyond a reasonable timeframe to receive registered item for 3 weeks and I wanted them to refund me the registered mail cost. She insisted say it was not possible and finally after much unpleasant talking over 3-4 phone conversations. She finally relented to send a booklet of 10 pieces of local stamp as a compensation. Wasted so much of my time calling and writing email and talking to them. (Anyhow, it was me suggested her to give compensation in term of voucher or other stuff). They are totally inflexible and irresponsible.
Similar experience here with my damaged vPOST shipment. Out of goodwill, vPOST agreed to just refund the shipping fee plus discount for future shipment (as if I am going to trust them anymore). I waited for a month and the promised refund cheque never came. Spent another week to chase after their promise and after some lame excuse, the cheque came within 2 days. Perhaps they were hoping that I would just forget about the cheque.
Anyway, just to share my first experience with comGateway (which ships by DHL). Chargable weight: 4.5kg. Total shipping charge:
~USD50 (including mandatory insurance at 0.65% of declared value+shipping fee). I chose express shipping. Item was shipped on Tuesday (US time). Expected arrival and delivery is the coming Monday 9 Sept.
Item arrived on Friday midnight Singapore time and delivery attempted at 1030am. Did not expect it to arrive today so I was not at home. Called them after work (at 730pm) to arrange delivery time and phone conversation was superb: no automated messages asking to hold, the guy immediately offered me delivery on Saturday or Sunday, then waited 1 minute while he confirmed with his warehouse, and that's it!
And surprise... the delivery guy came again for another delivery attempt at 930pm so I got the item today!
Very very happy.
If I use vPOST, the shipping fee will be
~SGD50 (excluding insurance of SGD18 or 3% of declared value+shipping fee whichever is higher). If you include the insurance, the difference between vPOST and comGateway becomes minimal. I prefer paying more (comGateway+DHL) for faster shipping, better item tracking and possibility to arrange delivery time, even on weekends.
No experience with comGateway+DHL in the event that the item arrived damaged though.
