Anyone else having problems applying for the first passport with Post Office Check&Send?

[trasig]

I had my citizenship ceremony at the beginning of March and immediately wanted to apply for my first passport because I'll travel in June (if passport arrives in time). I googled how to apply for a passport and found the relevant Post Office website where it made it seem like Digital Check & Send was the easiest way to apply and it offered document checks, so I decided to go with that option. It turned out to be a big mistake!

It turns out this is a very new application method and the PO staff are clueless about how it all works. They're just following the instructions on the tablet. The first PO I went to, wasted my 2 hours. They didn't have wifi and the tablet was constantly losing internet connection and restarting the application. I went to a different PO in a different town where they told me if I apply directly with HMPO, I can choose the fast track option. I told them afaik first passports aren't fast tracked but all the staff were so sure about it I left and called the HMPO. Surprise! HMPO told me they don't do fast track for first passports. I immediately went back to the PO but they were closing for the day. Whole Saturday wasted in Post Offices.

I went back there another day again and this time went through with the application. They took my documents to send to the HMPO. No tracking number or anything. It was a very stressful 19 days until HMPO confirmed they have my documents. During the wait PO refused to even confirm if they really sent my documents or not. They only said that they probably sent it Tuesday (6 days after my application).

Now it's been 14 working days and there is no progress with the application. Looking at the timelines, most people who applied long after me got their passports. At this point it's been 6 weeks since I applied. That means my passport picture is already over a month old. It seems like they'll ask for a new picture and it cause another delay.

Has anyone else tried this Digital Check and Send? How has your experience been?