Waitrose Executiven complaints team may have breached Data Protection Act principle 2 ?

shaun_from_Africa

2e0arr wrote: »

you are incorrect and lack knowledge. the post office procedure is not to ask whats is inside.

And you are arrogant and pedantic but I won't hold it against you.

I didn't say that it was PO procedure.
What I stated was an opinion and how can an opinion be wrong?
That opinion was that I see nothing wrong in Post Office staff asking what is inside the package so that they can make sure that it would be handled and stored correctly, especially if it was fragile or could be damaged by certain storage conditions.

From Royal Mail:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/post_office_policy_on_asking_cus

Post Office Limited does not have a policy in respect of part one of your request, however I can confirm that we do expect all staff in our branch network, including our subpostmasters and their staff, to ask concise and relevant questions when customers are posting an item either inland or overseas.

To ensure that our customers are offered the correct service we regularly communicate the requirements to understand our customers needs, therefore we issue a standard set of questions that should be asked when talking with a customer. Additionally we hold regular staff meetings and one to one training to ensure messages are delivered consistently. Asking a customer the value of the item being posted, along with other pertinent questions allows the branch to provide the customer with the appropriate service, and the customer to better understand the types of service on offer.

photome

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

And you are arrogant and pedantic but I won't hold it against you.

I didn't say that it was PO procedure.
What I stated was an opinion and how can an opinion be wrong?
That opinion was that I see nothing wrong in Post Office staff asking what is inside the package so that they can make sure that it would be handled and stored correctly, especially if it was fragile or could be damaged by certain storage conditions.

From Royal Mail:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/post_office_policy_on_asking_cus

I agree the OP is a serial complainer/timewaster but that quote from the Postoffice reads like a manuscript to upsell

shaun_from_Africa

photome wrote: »

I agree the OP is a serial complainer/timewaster but that quote from the Postoffice reads like a manuscript to upsell

That may well be the case but whatever the reason, the fact still remains that despite what the OP thinks, the Post Office staff are expected to question customers about the contents of packages that they want to send.

RADDERS

2e0arr wrote: »

post office procedure is not to ask whats in the package even if postage paid at the post office and not online.

I think that you will find that this is incorrect, a relative works at a small corner shop that has just last month become a franchise branch for the post office
When someone brings a parcel in to post they have a sheet of questions that they have to ask, where is the parcel going as different countries have different rules. If the questions are not answered to the assistants satisfaction they can refuse to take the parcel.

custardy

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

And you are arrogant and pedantic but I won't hold it against you.

I didn't say that it was PO procedure.
What I stated was an opinion and how can an opinion be wrong?
That opinion was that I see nothing wrong in Post Office staff asking what is inside the package so that they can make sure that it would be handled and stored correctly, especially if it was fragile or could be damaged by certain storage conditions.

From Royal Mail:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/post_office_policy_on_asking_cus

Also good to look through some of these (now historical in RMs case) FOI requests to see the type of loons and mumpers out there in the world.

Westie983

Surely there are some items that can not go through the Post Office system? Drugs/Knives/Gas Canisters.

I am regularly asked at the post office which is in the envelope/parcel as I know some items are not allowed to be carried, and sometimes I have had to pay more to protect the item inside that I wouldn't have been aware off if I hadn't been asked the question.

I understand the OP answered this question online before printing out the postage label, but there is really no harm getting asked again, to confirm as they are accepting the parcel/item as carriage so within their right to ask.

I know it can be annoying and I wish somethings are able to be carried via the PO systems (namely prescription drugs) but I understand why there are not and being asked when I post an item what is in there is a 2 second reply.

OP going by the fact you have complained about two post offices for not following things the way you feel they should, maybe suggest using a courier system.

You can print out your labels like you have done with the PO, but rather then take it to the local PO whom you are not a fan, you can drop the parcel at a local newsagent, or a local parcel locker where you will get asked no questions.

Westie983

2e0arr

The Post Office had already asked those question when postage was purchased online. No questions needed on contents.just issue a certificate of posting.

If I was purchasing postage at the Post Office the questions are asked but with regard to contents the clerk should ask the customer are the contents on this list of restricted items.

custardy

2e0arr wrote: »

The Post Office had already asked those question when postage was purchased online. No questions needed on contents.just issue a certificate of posting.

If I was purchasing postage at the Post Office the questions are asked but with regard to contents the clerk should ask the customer are the contents on this list of restricted items.

Does it cause issues to check? You have spend a massive amount of time and effort on this. Look at this thread alone before we go onto the companies( yes amazingly plural)
We have seen many cases of people seeding prohibited goods despite this and some having their items destroyed.
I think the likes of yourself would need to retire if you have to deal with a complaint of that magnitude.

Since you are such a stickler for the rules. You bought the postage online from the Post Office?

shaun_from_Africa

2e0arr wrote: »

The Post Office had already asked those question when postage was purchased online.

Really?
Can you provide a link showing the Post Office website where you paid for the postage.

2e0arr

custardy wrote: »

Does it cause issues to check?

We have seen many cases of people seeding prohibited goods despite this and some having their items destroyed.

I think the likes of yourself would need to retire if you have to deal with a complaint of that magnitude.

Since you are such a stickler for the rules. You bought the postage online from the Post Office?

I am so glad you asked this ...It does causes issues to ask . especially if the contents may cause embarrassment to the customer and the post office staff. Also if i took 90 items for certificates of posting how would you remember the contents of each ? iIt also shows the staff lack training, are not following procedures and lack of attention to details and poor training could mean their approach to financial accounting (the money handling) and security would be of the same fashion. The percentage of mail requring a certificate of postings is miniscule in comparison to the percentage of mail being sent without a certificate of posting, with a lable and stamps and just popped in the post box no questions asked.
I buy postage online using their partners paypal and I occasionally also buy postage direct from paypal.