Royal Mail Track and Trace Problems

I have seen many posts here and other forums where there the poster is having problems viewing the track and trace details from the Royal Mail site.
Often the track and trace information states the item is progressing through the network many days, weeks or months after it was delivered.

If having a problem tracking your recorded delivery item via the Royal Mail (RM) web site do not use the link to the Track and Trace page that is available on the RM home page (or indeed through just about every link on the RM site). It often does not work!

Do NOT use:
www.royalmail.com/track-trace


Instead try the URL below.
This one usually works when the above one does not:
www.royalmail.com/trackdetails

Why all the Royal Mail links point to a page that does not work very often I do not know!

had a problem last week as to regards the first class signed for sent my esa off last week on the 14th oct atos did get it on the 17th oct but did not show up that it was signed for royal mail have said that there has been admin error and will fully investigate yea right that old chestnut my advice would be to send next day recorded but can you trust royal mail ? er no

I do feel that there is little point in bothering with recorded delivery. I either use guaranteed next day delivery or just stick to getting proof of posting.