is it just me - Post office counter staff

paulofessex

Getting more and more frustrated when going to post a package/parcel to be greeted with the following....

"For security reasons l have to ask what's inside"
"Can l ask what's inside"
"What are you sending"

They are of course relating to the Prohibited Goods, however you find they do not make that clear, they just ask the question above.

My opinion is that they should point to the A4 poster/sign they have and ask "does your package contain any of these items"

Myself, well my response is when asked the above question without making it clear of why the need to ask is.....It contains no items on the prohibited list.

The responses and looks l get is amazing. Some staff give the glare, others threaten that a package will be destroyed if THEY feel it contains a prohibited item. Others, well their attitude clearly changes, even though l have not been rude about it. They clearly are not used to people not answering their style of questions.

I just don't think they have a right to ask what the item actually is inside. Of course they are also looking for upselling opportunities which l don't have a real problem with.

Please don't let it just be me who gets annoyed.

Nile

The staff are just following orders from above but I know what you mean.;) As fed up as you are to hear it from the staff, imagine how fed up the staff are.............to have to keep asking their customers.;)


When I buy a sandwich from Upper Crust at the train station, I always say "I would like a sandwich please and I don't need a drink, bun, fruit or anything else thank you":D


The staff member often gives me a knowing smile, I've even had them laughing.


I get the same sales patter at the Nationwide Building Society. They always try to sell me a new account and I always politely reply with "I don't need anything else thank you"

aldredd

It's not just about prohibited items (for which most branches I've seen do have a poster) but also 'restricted' items - such as batteries. Any item with a battery has some form of sticker / identifier on the package (no idea why though!)

paulofessex

aldredd wrote: »

It's not just about prohibited items (for which most branches I've seen do have a poster) but also 'restricted' items - such as batteries. Any item with a battery has some form of sticker / identifier on the package (no idea why though!)

Fair point, regarding 'Restricted Items'

I would really like to know the exact directive they are given from those above regarding what they should actually ask. If its anything like the Passport Check and Send Service at the PO counters the staff make up their own interpretation of the rules.

aileth

Simples, make sure you always choose the same member of staff. When they ask, get a look of amazement on your face and proclaim you've managed to find the world's biggest dildo, the 'Rambone', and that you've been searching for it months on end. You're so excited that you've got to share it with your friend in *insert town address* and so you're sending it to them. Apologise if the package has an 'odour' as you were so hurriedly trying to get it wrapped that you forgot to wash it.

Make sure to sound as enthusiastic and excited as possible, and next time you go in make sure to choose the same member of staff. They might be more careful with their wording

Money-Saving-King

The thing is there will be people out there who knowingly will try to send prohibited items. These people will just lie & get defensive when being questioned, they would most likely reply something like 'This package does not contain any prohibited items'.

So I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to achieve other than to add fuel to a fire and make a situation even more difficult.

hollydays

My staff are very good, mostly. I tell them what's in the parcel to save them asking, no problem.

MarkBargain

I posted a Samsung mobile phone I'd sold on Ebay recently and the Post Office counter asked if it contained a battery, and then what type of battery. I wasn't quite such which battery technology the particult Samsung phone used, but thankfully they accepted the parcel!

They do always ask the value of contents, I think to sell more expensive insured services. Standard first or second class used to be guaranteed up to £42, but that has dropped to £20 now, I guess for the same reason. Now they are private I suppose profit will be their focus sadly.

molerat

aileth wrote: »

Simples, make sure you always choose the same member of staff. When they ask, get a look of amazement on your face and proclaim you've managed to find the world's biggest dildo, the 'Rambone', and that you've been searching for it months on end. You're so excited that you've got to share it with your friend in *insert town address* and so you're sending it to them. Apologise if the package has an 'odour' as you were so hurriedly trying to get it wrapped that you forgot to wash it.

Make sure to sound as enthusiastic and excited as possible, and next time you go in make sure to choose the same member of staff. They might be more careful with their wording

But do remember to tell them there are no batteries in it

mttylad

"Used and unwashed anal beads being sent for DNA testing" will be the reply I give if asked this

Stephb1986_2

I'm not too bothered about them asking me what is in the parcel. What gets me is the downright rudeness of them like we're a nuisance to them. I popped in today to return a parcel was told it would be £20 to send it back in a very rude way.

I might as well give city link etc my business as it's only £9.99 + vat to send it with them and they collect from your house!

Steph