Stop staring at me

JPS

Going to my local post office is getting harder by the day. :mad: I used to go in and go straight to the counter, but now I usually find my self in queues - sometimes for 15 mins or so. The thing is, when I get to the counter, a nice big queue has built up behind me. I usually have about 10 or packages to send off. Now there is only ever one member of staff working there on a weekday. You should hear the huffs and puffs from the people in the queue while I stand there letting the PO guy label up my packages. I feel like a thousand eyes are all looking at me! There is nothing I can do to make the process any faster - my PO should be getting a second person working there soon so that should help, but some people should really have some patience - as I was there waiting for 15 mins before they came along!



Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rant over lol :rolleyes:

dougk_2

If you are sending them by normal post or parcel post, you can have everything done at home except for the stamps (or lables that need sticking on!)

If the parcels are normally less than 2kg , get yourself some digital kitchen scales (argos do them) and you weigh them all at home and write the price on each (print scale of charges off from internet or pick up a booklet in store).

The certificate of postage you can get and complete at home , same if you are sending recorded delivery.

If you are feeling really good you can but a large quanity of stamps of different values and even stick them on at home.

The PO person will know you so normally won't even check the certificates of postage , just stamp them!

I have done this in the past as by the time I got to the front of the queue I didn't want to be in the PO any longer!

soolin

I have problems with queues as well, I live in the largest town in the UK without a post office so rely on a shop with a post office counter.

Just before Christmas I had real problems with a queue of old ladies (I like old ladies really, I will be one myself one day). The chap at the head of the queue was another ebayer and was sending 15 or so parcels and the ladies started talking loudly amongst theselves about it being 'disgusting' that these young guys made them wait while they took up all the post office time. They even started on the fact that he had long hair and wore goth clothing, so I stuck out a mile in the queue dressed head to toe in black and with hair down to my waist with a sack load of parcels.

At one point one of them even jabbed him with her umbrella and told him off for taking so long.

When it got to my turn I was so embarrassed I could hardly think, I had a bin liner of parcels and apologised to the lady behind the counter and asked her whether she wanted me to go back later. She came out from behind her counter and told the queue very loudly and sternly that the only reason her post office stayed open in the latest cuts was because she had most of the ebay business. She said that all the people collecting pensions or buying Christmas stamps barely registered on her business takings but we ebayers used lots of different services and accounted for well over half her turnover. She told them they ought to be pleased to see us as without us there wouldn't be a post office!

Actually it didn't help as it just made me even more embarrassed, but it did make me think about who the post office needs more.

Soo

Tojo_Ralph

A little psychology is called for here.... Namely.... Just prior to being served, you turn to those behind you, head shaking, eyes rolling, and announcing.... "They should REALLY do something about the staffing levels in this place".... Throw in a few Tut, Tut's, and you'll be home and dry.

divadee

i also have this alot jps.

i fill all the certs of postage out at home, customs forms etc....

but want to get them properly weighed at the PO. you always get someone behind huffing and puffing and tutting.

i have actually turned round one time and said can i ask what you are queueing for? and they said i only want to post this letter, and i said yep and i am spending £40 in here and i spent £32 in her yesterday. who is keeping this small post office open for business me or you? she went quiet after that.

i spend on average about £50 a week in my local Po (one that is a counter in a londis) this lady probably goes in about once a month for a letter to be posted abroad at the cost of less than 50p.

i bet she would be the first to moan if the post office got shut down due to lack of useage.

JPS

soolin wrote:

I have problems with queues as well, I live in the largest town in the UK without a post office so rely on a shop with a post office counter.

Just before Christmas I had real problems with a queue of old ladies (I like old ladies really, I will be one myself one day). The chap at the head of the queue was another ebayer and was sending 15 or so parcels and the ladies started talking loudly amongst theselves about it being 'disgusting' that these young guys made them wait while they took up all the post office time. They even started on the fact that he had long hair and wore goth clothing, so I stuck out a mile in the queue dressed head to toe in black and with hair down to my waist with a sack load of parcels.

At one point one of them even jabbed him with her umbrella and told him off for taking so long.

When it got to my turn I was so embarrassed I could hardly think, I had a bin liner of parcels and apologised to the lady behind the counter and asked her whether she wanted me to go back later. She came out from behind her counter and told the queue very loudly and sternly that the only reason her post office stayed open in the latest cuts was because she had most of the ebay business. She said that all the people collecting pensions or buying Christmas stamps barely registered on her business takings but we ebayers used lots of different services and accounted for well over half her turnover. She told them they ought to be pleased to see us as without us there wouldn't be a post office!

Actually it didn't help as it just made me even more embarrassed, but it did make me think about who the post office needs more.

Soo

!!!!!! I just clicked back and lost my whole post....well here we go again take 2! lol

I think what the PO lady did was brill Soo! I bet that showed those old ladies!

dougk - I never used to do everything at home but now I do. I have even just got a recorded delivery book which is supposed to make it quicker and easier - although I'm not so sure lol

It just pees me off that people with less to post than you or that just want to do a "quick" job think they have a right to go to the front of the counter.

I guess it has got a lot worse since RM closed down loads of PO's across the country, which they should have never done. I remember this one time I was next to be served and this old woman just went straight past me and got her pension without even asking me. I was furious! TBH i dont actually think she saw me haha. And to think I will be in that queue at the PO one day to collect my pension - seems like a long way away yet!! Hope it is lol

As my uncle says....it's a pain getting old, but what's the alternative!? hehe

PS some of the pensioners I chat to are really friendly and nice - just the odd moody one that does my head in. I reckon the PO should be divided into 2 - the OAP PO and the EBAY PO - would be gr8! lol

HairyHatMan

Since they closed several minor POs near us, it now takes on average 20 - 25 minutes to Queue up. What really annoys me is that they've just refurbished the place (it wasn't too bad before) which I'm sure would have paid for an extra counter assistant for several years (there's always counters available, but closed).

angelcake

My local PO has a couple of stiffs behind the counter who look like you like you are poo! (Not just me...everyone!) So I go just 6 miles to one that has 5 tills and 6 people working! if there is no one around they busy themselves with other bits! but the queue is never long and they are always happy and nice to me! I only take about 5 parcels on average but have tried not to notice the pensioners but smile and get on with it! - you wait I will notice all the rolls of eyes now ....and the tuts!!

I think it is damnright rude for the old peeps to make comments! there is no need for it! especially to remark on personal stuff! you should stick your nose in the air and say out loud ...."can I smell wee" hehehehehehehe

Outtathaway

I've had this too. I've only just moved to a new area so it took me a while to find the post office, but when I did it was a counter in a local shop. But it was stupid in there. If you went in there with more than one item to post the tutting started, and if you even thought about using recorded/special delivery..... oh dear.

But it was the best thing when I found a proper post offive with 13 counters that was actually closer to me

sunflower_2

angelcake wrote:

you should stick your nose in the air and say out loud ...."can I smell wee" hehehehehehehe

VH

I go first thing in the morning.. when there is no queue. Either on my way to work in the car or to my local on Saturdays.. never had a problem!!