Royal Mail Surveys

downshifter

Chas wrote: »

I can't believe that people re-arrange their day just to post a letter!
.

Maybe it isn't as important but it must have some value to Kantar or they wouldn't ask us to do it. As far as I'm concerned I do plan my day a bit around the times I've been asked to post - I really do - as I believe if I'm asked to do something I should do it properly. It isn't 'just to post a letter', if it was my personal letter it wouldn't matter, but it's to do the job we've been asked to do (and are being paid to do) in the way that's required of us. If I felt I couldn't do it then I'd resign.

Now I know who writes the day and date on the envelopes, it's you!! I always think that must be a bit of a giveaway to the postman, I live in a very rural area and he knows what everyone's up to so sure that includes the survey. Funnily enough the postal service has got so much better since I've been doing this!

DS

Chas

downshifter wrote: »

Maybe it isn't as important but it must have some value to Kantar or they wouldn't ask us to do it. As far as I'm concerned I do plan my day a bit around the times I've been asked to post - I really do - as I believe if I'm asked to do something I should do it properly. It isn't 'just to post a letter', if it was my personal letter it wouldn't matter, but it's to do the job we've been asked to do (and are being paid to do) in the way that's required of us. If I felt I couldn't do it then I'd resign.

Now I know who writes the day and date on the envelopes, it's you!! I always think that must be a bit of a giveaway to the postman, I live in a very rural area and he knows what everyone's up to so sure that includes the survey. Funnily enough the postal service has got so much better since I've been doing this!

DS

All my envelopes with the days/dates on are returned to Kantar by the people who receive them. If it's such a problem then why haven't Kantar ever said anything to me?

Also, the envelopes containing Smarts are an even bigger giveaway!

By the time my envelopes get to your rural postman it really doesn't matter if he realises it's a test item, it's already been through the postal system, so what influence does he have? OK he might rush out to deliver your test letter from me at the beginning of his round rather than the end, but do you really think he's going to care enough to disrupt his round to do that? I don't think so!

My post is almost always sitting on the door mat when I get up at 7am, so I am rarely able to enter a time of delivery for my items received. Again, that doesn't seem to be a problem for Kantar. It also means that it would be pointless for my postie to deliver my items from other panellists before anyone else on his round.

I do the job properly & in accordance with the information/instructions on Kantar's website. They don't have a problem with me, so why should you?

I'm interested in your idea that we are 'paid' to do this job. We are not PAYE employees for Kantar, therefore I hope that you've registered as self employed & declare the 'benefit' we receive from Kantar on your tax return so that you can be taxed on the benefit in kind. After all, you said you like to do things 'properly' :rotfl:

downshifter

Chas wrote: »

All my envelopes with the days/dates on are returned to Kantar by the people who receive them. If it's such a problem then why haven't Kantar ever said anything to me?

Can't see that it is a problem, just amused that's all

Chas wrote: »

By the time my envelopes get to your rural postman it really doesn't matter if he realises it's a test item, it's already been through the postal system, so what influence does he have? OK he might rush out to deliver your test letter from me at the beginning of his round rather than the end, but do you really think he's going to care enough to disrupt his round to do that? I don't think so!

The problem in this area, and a neighbour was just saying it again this morning, is that the postmen don't like to deliver up here and tend to save up the post so they only come up once or twice a week. It's worse when it's raining. This is one of the reasons why I do the survey, to try to improve local services. And it's one of the reasons I do take it seriously - because I'm hoping it matters.

Chas wrote: »

I do the job properly & in accordance with the information/instructions on Kantar's website. They don't have a problem with me, so why should you?

I don't, as I said, just amused, it's really nothing to do with me, I just stated that I like to do the job as well as I can. I'm sure you do too.

Chas wrote: »

I'm interested in your idea that we are 'paid' to do this job. We are not PAYE employees for Kantar, therefore I hope that you've registered as self employed & declare the 'benefit' we receive from Kantar on your tax return so that you can be taxed on the benefit in kind. After all, you said you like to do things 'properly' :rotfl:

Absolutely, I'm not a PAYE employee anywhere, I am a self-employed professional and have been earning my living in my professional area for years, with some big and some small contracts, like this one - not sure why I need to justify myself here though! Even if we weren't paid for it (and whether it's PAYE or even paid is immaterial) I still would want to do it in the way I was asked. I do voluntary work and still do that as well as I can even though it's unpaid. Anyway, of course we're paid for it, the stamps quickly add up as everyone acknowledges.
DS

Chas

downshifter wrote: »

Can't see that it is a problem, just amused that's all

I don't, as I said, just amused, it's really nothing to do with me, I just stated that I like to do the job as well as I can. I'm sure you do too.

Absolutely, I'm not a PAYE employee anywhere, I am a self-employed professional and have been earning my living in my professional area for years, with some big and some small contracts, like this one - not sure why I need to justify myself here though! Even if we weren't paid for it (and whether it's PAYE or even paid is immaterial) I still would want to do it in the way I was asked. I do voluntary work and still do that as well as I can even though it's unpaid. Anyway, of course we're paid for it, the stamps quickly add up as everyone acknowledges.
DS

I'm amused too. Amused that someone plans their day around posting letters when Kantar clearly say you don't need to do that, as the place/time of posting is not the most important part of the survey.

Happy to agree to differ, each to their own.

Glad to hear that you do declare the benefit in kind though. I wonder if everyone else does too?

gt94sss2

happyange wrote: »

I have had 3 queries over the last few weeks asking if I am sure I posted my letters on the days requested. The SMART idicates that they were posted the following day.


I keep a record of when posted so I know I have posted them on the right day and before final collection. Either R M is not picking up the mail some days or the SMARTS are not working.

Has anyone else had this problem

I've had something similar over the last few weeks - either asking me to confirm when I sent or received something and suspect that its due to the strike action that has been going on or the last few weeks.

Certainly, for the 2 or 3 weeks, I have only been getting around two deliveries a week - and even our local postman suggested we complain to RM about the poor quality of service!

According to him, due to the strikes - the post builds up and the staff can't deliver to every address on their rounds - and the local delivery office is refusing to pay them overtime.. which I guess is understandable as the problem is caused by the staff going on strike in the first place!

According to news websites there may be up to 20 million letters stuck in sorting offices - a quck google gives:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8252477.stm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213062/Your-post-gutter-Strike-hit-Post-Office-managers-sort-mail-pavement.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h7iH_07sdWqo9q29V8hCP__9zxDw

Regards
Sunil

elantan

just tried to join they are saying due to the high volume they arnt accepting anyone new at this time ...shame i could do with some stamps

Wolfsbayne

elantan wrote: »

just tried to join they are saying due to the high volume they arnt accepting anyone new at this time ...shame i could do with some stamps

It actually says on their news page at the moment that they are having to shake up things due to royal mail wanting certain numbers of panellists in different areas. It says some panellists will no longer be required but it also looks like there may be some opportunities to join coming up.

elantan

i mustve missed that bit ...i tried to join up

*Jane*

Wondering why there has been no £750 prize draw for August

grunnie

*Jane* wrote: »

Wondering why there has been no £750 prize draw for August

They are always very slow at updating their website -it is sometimes near the end of the month before the winner gets displayed.