who regulates post offices

user1977

Emmia said:

ratcatcher666 said:

I have searched online but can't sem to find an ombudsman for the post office. The only way to complain about a Post Office branch is through the post offfice. Last time I made a complaint to them it was a complete whirewash. There sems to be no higher or independent authority to complain to. I have made a complaint but I know what the outcome will be, fobbed off as usual.

My complaint is that local post office branch constantly overcharge and sell overpriced products when cheaper options are availab;e. Mainly to pensioners.

You haven't searched very hard, a simple Google search would tell you it's OFCOM

You haven’t searched very hard - from Ofcom’s website: “ We don't regulate the Post Office. If you have a complaint about the Post Office, you should contact its customer services team.”

Emmia

user1977 said:

Emmia said:

ratcatcher666 said:

I have searched online but can't sem to find an ombudsman for the post office. The only way to complain about a Post Office branch is through the post offfice. Last time I made a complaint to them it was a complete whirewash. There sems to be no higher or independent authority to complain to. I have made a complaint but I know what the outcome will be, fobbed off as usual.

My complaint is that local post office branch constantly overcharge and sell overpriced products when cheaper options are availab;e. Mainly to pensioners.

You haven't searched very hard, a simple Google search would tell you it's OFCOM

You haven’t searched very hard - from Ofcom’s website: “ We don't regulate the Post Office. If you have a complaint about the Post Office, you should contact its customer services team.”

As we don't know what the OP is actually complaining about...

But yes, if they're complaining about the business then there probably isn't a higher authority (like with most businesses)

molerat

I suspect it will be selling the wrong, hence higher priced, postal service.  Something it seems that many are guilty of.  Likely not with intent but rather a lack of understanding.

elsien

Or upselling, which a lot of them do.
Hence my starting point if “what’s the cheapest way to get it there, and what’s the difference with the more expensive service.”

It’s not the “wrong” service as such, but may have features you just don’t want. 

RefluentBeans

I think it’s worth reminding that Post Office and Royal Mail are different. The Post Office is a separate company which offers Royal Mail and ParcelForce services, as well as a collection point for other companies. But they are, in essence, the same as Tesco in the fact there is not a governing body for them. 

Royal Mail is, on the other hand, has regulations that surround it. Ofcom have fined Royal Mail (just over a month ago); but all complaints should be going through the Royal Mail customer service before escalating. 

If the issue is postage price related, then that is different to being charged £1 for a pen that Tesco sells for 50p. But the complaint should be to the Post Office for Post Office related matters. 

EnPointe

elsien said:

Or upselling, which a lot of them do.
Hence my starting point if “what’s the cheapest way to get it there, and what’s the difference with the more expensive service.”

It’s not the “wrong” service as such, but may have features you just don’t want. 

exactly 

a 'signed for' delivery  is cheaper than SD but SD  is time sensitive and  tracked at multiple places through the system vs  the 2 or 3 times a ;'signed for' is scanned ( at point of posting, possibly into the round  and delivery ) ,

km1500

as above a really - Royal mail arethe provider of the service but there are many entities who sell stamps etc to enable that service to be used

the post office is simply one and have no more need of regulation than Sainsbury's Tesco or Waitrose. they could sell first class stamps at £10 a time if they wanted to

there is some general regulation for example I believe the government set the price of second class stamps and no provider can charge more than that

if you want to use Royal mail services then choose who you wish to deal with it doesn't have to be the post office

Andy_L

km1500 said:

as above a really - Royal mail arethe provider of the service but there are many entities who sell stamps etc to enable that service to be used

the post office is simply one and have no more need of regulation than Sainsbury's Tesco or Waitrose. they could sell first class stamps at £10 a time if they wanted to

there is some general regulation for example I believe the government set the price of second class stamps and no provider can charge more than that

if you want to use Royal mail services then choose who you wish to deal with it doesn't have to be the post office

ISTR from a previous thread that people like the post office who buy their stamps directly from RM are contractually obliged to see them for the official price.

mikb

Pollycat said:

If it's stamps, cost of sending parcels etc they cannot overcharge (unless they are overcharging by saying that parcels are bigger/heavier than they really are).

I'm a pensioner who sells odd bits on eBay.
No post office will ever overcharge me for parcels.
I know the cost to send before I set foot inside and I even say (for example) "small parcel, 2nd class, not signed for £3.49" so we both know where we are.

How do they overcharge? You identified one right there -- I've seen a PO staff member take a tape measure to my "oversize" parcel, and by measuring the length on one side, turning it over, the SAME length on the OTHER side and declaring that over the small-parcel limit. Well, of course it is, if you measure it like that. Length by Length. I had an actual "are you kidding me?" argument with her, she then measured the diagonal instead -- in what world is that sensible? -- she then fetched the manager over. Who explained that I was right, but no apology. It wasn't even April 1st.

Then there's the accidental upselling/mishearing of the words "second class". Amazing how often they sound like the words "overcharge me please". Or the "What's in the parcel? / That will have to be signed for ..." gambit.

Then there's the electronic infallible scales that don't start at ZERO. Yup. They have a "tare"/"reset" button that they are supposed to use when it drifts. They don't always do it. For light-weight/airmail/close to boundary items -- it matters. And again, I have had to ASK them to reset it, and all I get is a blank look and "Yeah yeah put item on scale please!". Not until you zero it. "You have to weigh it first!" No, you have to zero it first, otherwise the weight is inaccurate and I will get overcharged just like you did to the last customer. How loud can this conversation get?

Like you, when I'm sending eBay bits, I have already weighed and measured. I write on the box "2nd SP" "2nd MP" "2nd LL" *and* the weight *AND* the price I expect to pay. The reason I do this is because too many times having them try it on in the past.

I know they like to push their luck, and am ready for it.