Why don't postmen knock/ring any more, or is it just my postie?

Mrs_Imp

I keep finding that once the postman's been there's either a parcel left by the front door, or a note through saying that as I wasn't in the item has been left outside the door/taken to the sorting office etc.

But I'm in the house at the time, and the bell hasn't gone, nor has the postman knocked. One time I walked past the door as he was shoving the note through and I opened the door to him. He looked a bit taken aback and tried to claim that he'd rung the bell.

I think our postie has changed recently as we never used to have this problem. In fact the old one was quite patient and I had enough time once to haul myself out of bed (flu) and down the stairs.

It's a bit frustrating to have to go and collect items that could've been given straight to me on the doorstep as it either costs me money to get to the sorting office, or it's a fairly long walk.

Moomum

Nope not just yours, mines exactly the same. Always puts a note through without knocking, I think it's so he doesn't have to carry the parcels around with him.

lostinrates

Mine suggested recently I tell him where I want parcels. I often can't hear the door. If I'm not here he leaves them with my neighbour around the corner...which sometimes means back tracking for him....which I don't think is fair.

He also expresses frustration with the previous owners who haven't sorted out their redirection stuff.....they moved about 20 months ago!

LJM

ive had this also can be very annoying

kazwookie

Mine knocks loudly as I have asked him to, being deaf I don't always hear the door bell, so a loud knock is good, and he is happy to do it, the problems start when he is on hols!!

jcr16

My postie never knocks unless it is for a recored delivery. but i have a porch so the postie always leaves everything in there.

our last postie was a family friend, and he knew if i was out he would hold on to parcel a couple of roads away my mums lives so on his round he would leave it there for me. which he asked if it was ok before he did it and i said yes any time take to mum's. if mum not there my nan lives opposite. i'm really grateful as it saves me a trip to the sorting office.

kelloggs36

My postman knocks but runs away pretty quickly as he has gone by the time I have got from the kitchen to the front door (about 5 seconds) and has left a note! Last time I shouted after him and he came back rather sheepish.

belfastgirl23

There was a piece in the newspaper before christmas about how new routes were being put into place by the Post Office

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/18/roy-mayall-postman-christmas-post-royal-mail

Postmen are given one minute to deliver a parcel according to this article. I know for me it takes me at least one minute to get to the door, even if I hear the first ring. So I'm guessing their response is that they don't have time to deliver the parcel so they just stick the wait docket through the door...

PerfectPeaches

I had the same problem in my previous house. The worst was when I was waiting for a parcel and a month later I advised the sender I had not received it and I got a refund. It was only by chance when my partner had rung the sorting office they advised him there was a parcel for me and it turned out to be what I was waiting for (I did re-pay for it!) but when I went to collect it I advised that I never received a note or slip about it - I was then told "this can sometimes happen". What an excuse!

Now we have moved our postie seems to be patient as sometimes I am trying to juggle a baby and various household chores! And he comes a lot earlier now at around 9am whereas in the last house it was aroud 2pm - I would mind but we are only about 1 mile from the sorting office!

phunkles

It varies to be honest. If its the rather fit postman who wears shorts all year round and isnt in a red postman pan van he waits and always leaves it with one of the neighbours if no answer.
Ive seen postmanpat van postmen walk up my neighbours path with the slip already filled in and when Ive gone out and said 'oh Ill take it in for them' hes looked sheepish and said it wasnt allowed anymore and scurried away.

I dont mind going the sorting office the bloke now knows me by sight oops a sign I order too much online I think

pupsicola

My postie must be quite rare then as he knocks on the door and rings the bell. Neighbours over the road are forever having stuff delivered. He is quite patient as he hangs around for a while so you have time to get to the door. If the recipient of the parcel isn't home he knocks on neighbours doors to see if they will take the parcel in for them too.