Should I trust local postbox?

Contains_Mild_Peril

I posted a small eBay item today in the postbox near my house, about half an hour before the postal collection was due. I noticed it was unusually full (to the point where I could have reached in and stolen other people's mail if I'd been so inclined) and the next collection was still showing as Wednesday. I thought little of it and posted my item anyway (it's just a cheap thing), but I later remembered that was the same postbox I used last week when someone gave me a low DSR for dispatch time despite their item being dispatched within a day. I now need to improve my dispatch time average rating. Should I be worried? Should I go back round to the postbox and check the mail has actually been collected today?

Pembroke

I'd check and if it hasn't been emptied ring your local sorting office and let them know there may be a problem they're not aware of.

techspec

Its happened to me a few times. Last time i pulled my item back out (i could have taken others) and took it in the post office. I told her it needed emptying and she promised to call them.

Royal Mail change staff so often - it might just be an oversite by a new driver.

custardy

Contact customer services
its unlikely your local delivery office has an active roll with the collections(though possible)

Contains_Mild_Peril

Thanks guys - I checked the postbox and it has been emptied and is now correctly showing Monday as the next collection.

Crowqueen

I usually use my local PO to post items sold online, to get a proof of posting if nothing else - but then the only postbox in our village is right outside the PO, so if there is no PO in walking distance to use then you have to trust it.

A lack of collection could definitely pose a problem - and that sounds worrying if people could just reach in and take something out. Mind you, I quite regularly send larger/thicker items which don't easily go through a letterbox so I have physical reasons not to use a postbox.

Don't forget though that DSRs are delayed from showing on your account in order not to be easily matchable to actual feedback. You may need to run reports and find out when the sale that caused the low occurred to have any certainty of what the problem is.

RFW

I only use main post office boxes if I'm not handing in at a depot or main post office. Quite often it's an extra day on the delivery when going through small/regional post boxes.

I'm sure there was a story recently of a post box that hadn't been emptied for 20 years or so, can't find it anywhere though.

custardy

RFW wrote: »

I only use main post office boxes if I'm not handing in at a depot or main post office. Quite often it's an extra day on the delivery when going through small/regional post boxes.

I'm sure there was a story recently of a post box that hadn't been emptied for 20 years or so, can't find it anywhere though.

not really
I think the real story is RM emptied a PO box and then closed it(it was a security issue in a train station)
At some point the block on the box was removed/damaged. then people posted stuff.
As much as RM !!!! stuff up,I dont see ROMEC blocking a box without ensuring its clear.

However,like many things
collections are yet another area where RM are trying to cut corners and staffing levels