Post Office Counter Staff

jimmyjones_2

This might not be national issue but I find my local post office infuriating.

I went to collect a parcel force item on Saturday morning and there was the usual epic queue. The post office staff are working at their usual casual pace and insist on having a natter with every old dear that they serve: "Hi Mavis, how's John?" "Are you going anywhere nice on holiday dear?"

Don't get me wrong I think it is really nice for these old girls to have a little chat - but not when there is a big queue.

Finally, after being forced to listen to all of the local gossip for about 20 minutes I make it to the front of the queue and present the lady with my ParcelForce card and a utility bill. The jobsworth refused to give me my parcel because I didn't have photographic id. I explained that I had the required id and if they wanted photographic id, they should ask for it on the card.

There was no way I was going home to get my passport and endure another 20 minute queue just because this member of staff had invented a local rule. After finding the ParcelForce website on my phone and reading out the acceptable proof of identification she eventually gave me my parcel.

Are these chatty jobsworths a national problem?

System

If you were obvious in your impatience towards the other customer the member of staff may have been deliberately obtuse because you irritated her.

mynameistallulah

You sound like a nightmare customer. The lady made a mistake, doesn't give you the right to call them a "chatty jobsworth".

starrystarry

jimmyjones wrote: »

This might not be national issue but I find my local post office infuriating.

I went to collect a parcel force item on Saturday morning and there was the usual epic queue. The post office staff are working at their usual casual pace and insist on having a natter with every old dear that they serve: "Hi Mavis, how's John?" "Are you going anywhere nice on holiday dear?"

Don't get me wrong I think it is really nice for these old girls to have a little chat - but not when there is a big queue.

Finally, after being forced to listen to all of the local gossip for about 20 minutes I make it to the front of the queue and present the lady with my ParcelForce card and a utility bill. The jobsworth refused to give me my parcel because I didn't have photographic id. I explained that I had the required id and if they wanted photographic id, they should ask for it on the card.

There was no way I was going home to get my passport and endure another 20 minute queue just because this member of staff had invented a local rule. After finding the ParcelForce website on my phone and reading out the acceptable proof of identification she eventually gave me my parcel.

Are these chatty jobsworths a national problem?

The counter staff in my local post office are similarly chatty, not just with the old folk but with all the people coming in for holiday money (where are you going? Oh I went there last year, it was lovely etc etc). Doesn't bother me much, I'd rather have to wait a couple of minutes than be served by po-faced staff with no interest in their customers.

McKneff

In all honesty, I would think they would be chatting while they were actually working, getting the stamps out, stamping stuff.

Can't see that they would service the customer then lean on their hands doing nothing and chatting.

jimmyjones_2

goater78 wrote: »

If you were obvious in your impatience towards the other customer the member of staff may have been deliberately obtuse because you irritated her.

I was perfectly polite to everyone in the queue and to the counter staff.

starrystarry wrote: »

Doesn't bother me much, I'd rather have to wait a couple of minutes than be served by po-faced staff with no interest in their customers.

I completely agree but they could tone it down a bit when it is particularly busy.

McKneff wrote: »

In all honesty, I would think they would be chatting while they were actually working, getting the stamps out, stamping stuff.

Can't see that they would service the customer then lean on their hands doing nothing and chatting.

They chat while they work and continue to chat for a minute or two after the transaction is complete

pmduk

McKneff wrote: »

In all honesty, I would think they would be chatting while they were actually working, getting the stamps out, stamping stuff.

Can't see that they would service the customer then lean on their hands doing nothing and chatting.

In my local branch all the chat is reserved for each other in the
long gaps between them deigning to serve a customer. When it comes to serving customers, most of them, (though not all) are taciturn to the point of rudeness.

passatrider

jimmyjones wrote: »

This might not be national issue but I find my local post office infuriating.

I went to collect a parcel force item on Saturday morning and there was the usual epic queue. The post office staff are working at their usual casual pace and insist on having a natter with every old dear that they serve: "Hi Mavis, how's John?" "Are you going anywhere nice on holiday dear?"

Don't get me wrong I think it is really nice for these old girls to have a little chat - but not when there is a big queue.

Finally, after being forced to listen to all of the local gossip for about 20 minutes I make it to the front of the queue and present the lady with my ParcelForce card and a utility bill. The jobsworth refused to give me my parcel because I didn't have photographic id. I explained that I had the required id and if they wanted photographic id, they should ask for it on the card.

There was no way I was going home to get my passport and endure another 20 minute queue just because this member of staff had invented a local rule. After finding the ParcelForce website on my phone and reading out the acceptable proof of identification she eventually gave me my parcel.

Are these chatty jobsworths a national problem?

So, an employee is just doing their job and making polite conversation with their customers.
Then, they make a mistake - god forbid!

Hmm71

No doubt there's another thread somewhere on the forum complaining about unfriendly Post Office counter staff who never smile, never say a word to anyone, would it hurt them to say good morning? etc etc.
You just can't win can you?

Dave101t

post office staff certainly are miserable/unhelpful in my area but you could of handed it better.

giraffe69

You sound like a nightmare customer. The lady made a mistake, doesn't give you the right to call them a "chatty jobsworth".

You mean one of her main tasks is to give out parcels but she doesn't know the requirements for identification and wants to waste the customers time. Whether she was chatting or not I call that gross incompetence.