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Grrrrrrr Royal Mail

Yet again I've been let down by the *!$$* royal mail. I was expecting a parcel for someone's birthday today - checked their tracking service and it told me it was out for delivery so I sat & waited. I heard a knock - went to the door - only to see a card with the 'we couldn't deliver' stuff on it. Honestly - that postie should enter the Olympics he was so damned fast.

I was fuming - so tried to ring the local depot... and tried....and tried. Every time I was put through to the main centre in Plymouth.

Finally, I spoke to a person in Plymouth and asked for the local direct number. The number he gave me was for...Plymouth. I asked him for the local one and he said i can give it to you but they won't answer, and you'll get put through to here.

I give up.
«13

Comments

  • I looked at hoe to complain and they proudly may get back to you in 30 days. Keep ringing, someone will answer... I hope!

    Sometimes, when this happens, I can't help but wonder if there has been some kind of zombie outbreak in the office.
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I looked at hoe to complain and they proudly may get back to you in 30 days. Keep ringing, someone will answer... I hope!

    Sometimes, when this happens, I can't help but wonder if there has been some kind of zombie outbreak in the office.

    or that there are no phone staff in delivery offices.
    the person dealing with the phone will be dealing with people at the door and many other things
    one person,two hands
  • custardy wrote: »
    or that there are no phone staff in delivery offices.
    the person dealing with the phone will be dealing with people at the door and many other things
    one person,two hands

    I would hope they would have more than one staff, but they don't seem to like to keep a full staff on. It's like when you go to the post office, there are 50 people in the queue and 2 people on the tills.
  • secret.
    secret. Posts: 7 Forumite
    edited 27 October 2011 at 11:53PM
    Some of the RM posties really do take the p!!!. Just last week I had one of those cards through my door saying he tried to deliver when he didn't even bother to ring the bell.

    I quickly opened the door, saw him rushing past the neighbour's gate, called out to him which he ignored. By the time he was rushing past the 5th door, still ignoring my calls, I screamed out 'RM postman' ! to which he stopped, looked up as if sighing and then finally turned around.

    Omg, I thought ... :mad:

    I know not all are incompetent like this one individual, but this week I also had 4 letters that were not even for my road let alone my address.
  • fuddle
    fuddle Posts: 6,823 Forumite
    Our postie has his ear phones in his ears so I wouldn't stand a chance if needed to call.

    It took me over a week to get my parcel from the post office. I had missed the delivery one day as I was out picking my daughter up from Nursery. They left a card with a number on the back. I called the number and put my details through an automated system and had the parcel redelivered for a couple of days later.

    Low and behold I missed the delivery again as I was at nursery. I thought this is no good and called the number on the back of the card. I spoke to an advisor this time who suggested redelivery to my local post office for 50p charge, brilliant I thought as it was next to the library. So a few days later off I go to pick my parcel up from my post office. "It's not here, we don't do that, you have to go to the sorting office" I showed her the card which said 'redeliver to post office for 50p' Again "no we don't do that here". She advised me to go home, get it redelivered online and choose Saturday for my delivery day as I wouldn't be at nursery. Good idea I thought.

    Saturday came and went, no parcel. I was so mad. Monday morning I called the number on the card and wsked to speak to an advisor. I wanted the number of my local office as it was getting passed the week mark. She was reluctant to give me the number but I think she could sense the frustration in my voice.

    I called the local office where the parcels go and was met by an extremely rude, and I mean rude woman. Never before have I been spoke to the way she thought it was acceptible to speak to someone. She practically barked at me. "I know that parcel has been here all week, can you not come and pick it up?! I have tried to arrange delivery to my home and my village post office. "I'm not messing about sending stuff to your nearest post office, I need your delivery card here so I get paid for a parcel I have had all week!" I rearranged delivery online to come on Saturday and it didn't turn up. "Online" Online" What you sorting it out online for, I don't have any internet access here you have to call here to arrange redelivery" But it doesn't say that on the card. "The card is not for you, it's so I get paid" Flabergasted I wobbled a bit but then stood up for myself. Excuse me but that card is for me, It's an information card to tell me how to get my parcel, whether you get paid or not for having it is completely irrelevant here. Your own number wasn't on that card so how do I mange to call you to get my parcel. "well other people manage it! You're going to have to come get this parcel because if not i'll sent it back as being uncollected. I said I can't that I don't have a car and have two children, it's an 8 mile round trip. "Thats not my problem!" and put the phone down.

    I'll admit that I had a few tears but I think that was out of shock really for what had just happened, that mixed with the frustration of the whole thing and realising that I'm going to have to put my two children through an 8 mile round trip. After I picked my oldest child from school off we went on the walk. My children were fanstastic, it was an adventure but it wasn't right making them walk all that way.

    I went in, she saw the name and turned nasty. I was mean and said I was on the phone about the parcel this morning, said my name and explained it was the parcel she was going to send back. Knowing who I was she got the parcel down and passed it through the hole in the glass. She then was fussy (ok, I know, following rules) and asked for ID, I handed over my driving licence. She handed it back, I said thank you (through gritted teeth but I wanted her to feel a bit bad) and walked off with the parcel. She called back "er, the card!" Oppps sorry, I have forgotten it" I was itching to say, looks like you won't get paid but resisted, holding my head high.

    So that's my story of dealing with post offices. I won't have to deal with her anymore as I get things delivered to DH's work now. I didn't complain but feel now I should have. I get the impression the smaller offices work for themselves anyway, she certainly didn't mince her words or attitude. I know it was mean not handing in the card and I regret that now but revenge was sweet at the time.

    We got back in the house at around 6pm, the children really hungry but treat to chocolate on the way back from our adventure. It's disgusting what I put my children through that nigh. Not everyone has a car, not everyone has a bus route. If I was by myself and had to do the walk myself it wouldn't have been an issue but I only have 2 hours when the littlest one is at nursery and wouldn't have been back in time.
  • fuddle wrote: »
    Our postie has his ear phones in his ears so I wouldn't stand a chance if needed to call.

    It took me over a week to get my parcel from the post office. I had missed the delivery one day as I was out picking my daughter up from Nursery. They left a card with a number on the back. I called the number and put my details through an automated system and had the parcel redelivered for a couple of days later.

    Low and behold I missed the delivery again as I was at nursery. I thought this is no good and called the number on the back of the card. I spoke to an advisor this time who suggested redelivery to my local post office for 50p charge, brilliant I thought as it was next to the library. So a few days later off I go to pick my parcel up from my post office. "It's not here, we don't do that, you have to go to the sorting office" I showed her the card which said 'redeliver to post office for 50p' Again "no we don't do that here". She advised me to go home, get it redelivered online and choose Saturday for my delivery day as I wouldn't be at nursery. Good idea I thought.

    Saturday came and went, no parcel. I was so mad. Monday morning I called the number on the card and wsked to speak to an advisor. I wanted the number of my local office as it was getting passed the week mark. She was reluctant to give me the number but I think she could sense the frustration in my voice.

    I called the local office where the parcels go and was met by an extremely rude, and I mean rude woman. Never before have I been spoke to the way she thought it was acceptible to speak to someone. She practically barked at me. "I know that parcel has been here all week, can you not come and pick it up?! I have tried to arrange delivery to my home and my village post office. "I'm not messing about sending stuff to your nearest post office, I need your delivery card here so I get paid for a parcel I have had all week!" I rearranged delivery online to come on Saturday and it didn't turn up. "Online" Online" What you sorting it out online for, I don't have any internet access here you have to call here to arrange redelivery" But it doesn't say that on the card. "The card is not for you, it's so I get paid" Flabergasted I wobbled a bit but then stood up for myself. Excuse me but that card is for me, It's an information card to tell me how to get my parcel, whether you get paid or not for having it is completely irrelevant here. Your own number wasn't on that card so how do I mange to call you to get my parcel. "well other people manage it! You're going to have to come get this parcel because if not i'll sent it back as being uncollected. I said I can't that I don't have a car and have two children, it's an 8 mile round trip. "Thats not my problem!" and put the phone down.

    I'll admit that I had a few tears but I think that was out of shock really for what had just happened, that mixed with the frustration of the whole thing and realising that I'm going to have to put my two children through an 8 mile round trip. After I picked my oldest child from school off we went on the walk. My children were fanstastic, it was an adventure but it wasn't right making them walk all that way.

    I went in, she saw the name and turned nasty. I was mean and said I was on the phone about the parcel this morning, said my name and explained it was the parcel she was going to send back. Knowing who I was she got the parcel down and passed it through the hole in the glass. She then was fussy (ok, I know, following rules) and asked for ID, I handed over my driving licence. She handed it back, I said thank you (through gritted teeth but I wanted her to feel a bit bad) and walked off with the parcel. She called back "er, the card!" Oppps sorry, I have forgotten it" I was itching to say, looks like you won't get paid but resisted, holding my head high.

    So that's my story of dealing with post offices. I won't have to deal with her anymore as I get things delivered to DH's work now. I didn't complain but feel now I should have. I get the impression the smaller offices work for themselves anyway, she certainly didn't mince her words or attitude. I know it was mean not handing in the card and I regret that now but revenge was sweet at the time.

    We got back in the house at around 6pm, the children really hungry but treat to chocolate on the way back from our adventure. It's disgusting what I put my children through that nigh. Not everyone has a car, not everyone has a bus route. If I was by myself and had to do the walk myself it wouldn't have been an issue but I only have 2 hours when the littlest one is at nursery and wouldn't have been back in time.

    That's an awful experience. So glad that you finally got the parcel.

    I rarely complain but there's no excuse for rude behaviour, especially when a service is provided on behalf of a brand. So, with that in mind, I'd still complain because if you let this pass, you may have to deal with her again. :eek: The most she'd get is a minor warning about her attitude, if even that.

    The contacts page on the postoffice site will help. ;)
  • Nirvana9
    Nirvana9 Posts: 211 Forumite
    fuddle wrote: »
    Our postie has his ear phones in his ears so I wouldn't stand a chance if needed to call.

    It took me over a week to get my parcel from the post office. I had missed the delivery one day as I was out picking my daughter up from Nursery. They left a card with a number on the back. I called the number and put my details through an automated system and had the parcel redelivered for a couple of days later.

    Low and behold I missed the delivery again as I was at nursery. I thought this is no good and called the number on the back of the card. I spoke to an advisor this time who suggested redelivery to my local post office for 50p charge, brilliant I thought as it was next to the library. So a few days later off I go to pick my parcel up from my post office. "It's not here, we don't do that, you have to go to the sorting office" I showed her the card which said 'redeliver to post office for 50p' Again "no we don't do that here". She advised me to go home, get it redelivered online and choose Saturday for my delivery day as I wouldn't be at nursery. Good idea I thought.

    Saturday came and went, no parcel. I was so mad. Monday morning I called the number on the card and wsked to speak to an advisor. I wanted the number of my local office as it was getting passed the week mark. She was reluctant to give me the number but I think she could sense the frustration in my voice.

    I called the local office where the parcels go and was met by an extremely rude, and I mean rude woman. Never before have I been spoke to the way she thought it was acceptible to speak to someone. She practically barked at me. "I know that parcel has been here all week, can you not come and pick it up?! I have tried to arrange delivery to my home and my village post office. "I'm not messing about sending stuff to your nearest post office, I need your delivery card here so I get paid for a parcel I have had all week!" I rearranged delivery online to come on Saturday and it didn't turn up. "Online" Online" What you sorting it out online for, I don't have any internet access here you have to call here to arrange redelivery" But it doesn't say that on the card. "The card is not for you, it's so I get paid" Flabergasted I wobbled a bit but then stood up for myself. Excuse me but that card is for me, It's an information card to tell me how to get my parcel, whether you get paid or not for having it is completely irrelevant here. Your own number wasn't on that card so how do I mange to call you to get my parcel. "well other people manage it! You're going to have to come get this parcel because if not i'll sent it back as being uncollected. I said I can't that I don't have a car and have two children, it's an 8 mile round trip. "Thats not my problem!" and put the phone down.

    I'll admit that I had a few tears but I think that was out of shock really for what had just happened, that mixed with the frustration of the whole thing and realising that I'm going to have to put my two children through an 8 mile round trip. After I picked my oldest child from school off we went on the walk. My children were fanstastic, it was an adventure but it wasn't right making them walk all that way.

    I went in, she saw the name and turned nasty. I was mean and said I was on the phone about the parcel this morning, said my name and explained it was the parcel she was going to send back. Knowing who I was she got the parcel down and passed it through the hole in the glass. She then was fussy (ok, I know, following rules) and asked for ID, I handed over my driving licence. She handed it back, I said thank you (through gritted teeth but I wanted her to feel a bit bad) and walked off with the parcel. She called back "er, the card!" Oppps sorry, I have forgotten it" I was itching to say, looks like you won't get paid but resisted, holding my head high.

    So that's my story of dealing with post offices. I won't have to deal with her anymore as I get things delivered to DH's work now. I didn't complain but feel now I should have. I get the impression the smaller offices work for themselves anyway, she certainly didn't mince her words or attitude. I know it was mean not handing in the card and I regret that now but revenge was sweet at the time.

    We got back in the house at around 6pm, the children really hungry but treat to chocolate on the way back from our adventure. It's disgusting what I put my children through that nigh. Not everyone has a car, not everyone has a bus route. If I was by myself and had to do the walk myself it wouldn't have been an issue but I only have 2 hours when the littlest one is at nursery and wouldn't have been back in time.

    Don't feel bad for what you did, she deserved some comeuppance; there's just no excuse for speaking to people like that, especially in a customer service role!

    I would've done the same :)
  • Nirvana9: I was hoping your story would end with you telling the lady the card was at home and she could collect it when you were in sometime.

    My story is not as good as the one above but if I don't tell it now when will I tell it.

    A card in my post box said that a package had insufficient postage paid on it and they would deliver it when I paid. It was £1.30 to pay and I did not know what the parcel contained or where it came from but it seemed worth £1.30 to find out since it could have been something really nice.

    I was given a couple of options of how to pay. I could go into town (about 10 miles) and pay at the sorting office if I took ID and the money. I could go to my local sub post office and pay and they would stick stamps on the card, send it to the sorting office who would send it out with the normal postie. I think there was yet another way but I can't remember.

    I elected to go to the local sub post office in the village where the nice lady stuck on the stamps and put the card on the shelf at the back. That was the last I saw of the card and my money. Nothing arrived and that was a couple of months ago.

    After a couple of weeks I mentioned it to the sub postmaster and his eyes looked perplexed. I said that there was no point in asking me to fill in forms since I didn't know who sent what to me and therefore could only enter my name and address and he already knew that.

    I also mentioned it to the local postie with a similar result. I was never really worried about the mystery parcel since what you have not had you don't miss and after a while a nephew asked me if I had received the CD that he had sent me. This is the most likely candidate for the missing package but there is no absolute proof.

    After a few months I still have not received whatever it was and I don't expect I will any time soon.
    It's not my fault your honour, they made me do it.
  • pukkamum
    pukkamum Posts: 3,944 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was expecting a delivery so stayed in, i was standing at the door leading to the front door when i saw the postman walk up the drive as i went to answer the door a 'sorry we missed you' card was being put through!!!!!
    I quickly opened the door as he was walking down the path empty handed, i shouted to him and asked if he had knocked.
    Of course he claimed he had but then had to go to the van to get my parcel and i had been stood by the window the whole time!!!!!
    I don't get nearly enough credit for not being a violent psychopath.
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I would hope they would have more than one staff, but they don't seem to like to keep a full staff on. It's like when you go to the post office, there are 50 people in the queue and 2 people on the tills.

    :rotfl:

    the callers office is a cost. when deliveries cant even be covered the callers is a low priority.
    hence why you often nowadays get inexperienced staff on the door
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