Royal Mail delivery depot in "chaos" (Bolton)

bolton_dresser · Post by **bolton_dresser** » 29 Nov 2007, 18:29

I work at Bolton North & walked past all the customers queing up on Mon,Tues,Wed & today.

Must be said they all looked mightily pee`d off...especially when the rain came.

Gaffer was walking round about 9am this morning asking for volenteers to work OT in the office this avvy.

Dont think he got many takers...

Post by **dvbuk55** » 29 Nov 2007, 18:47

I used to work in the callers office and it is one of the most thankless tasks.

Postmen don't make it any easier by poorly made out cards, leaving the item with a neighbour after having left a card, forgetting to hand it back - it's bloody murder trying to find something that isn't there. We have and everyone should have a register of parcels and recorded items returned so at least if it isn't on the shelf you know it's not back.

My first year in there they didn't used to record parcels during Christmas pressure - I ask you!

You'd always get some tosser coming in saying "I haven't got a card but could you just check if my parcels arrived", "the wife's rung me to pick something up", "I've forgotten the card" - of course I dealt with customers courteously - with a polite "not a chance, come back with the card"

Did another spell over chrimbo a couple of years ago and wouldn't like to repeat it this year I can tell you.

Anyone in the callers offices this year will deserve an extra weeks holiday.

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 29 Nov 2007, 18:48

I'm going to print that article off and leave it on the managers desk. I don't even bother to ask for help now as the response is always the same 'we've got walks uncovered so you can't have any help'. Its been mental in callers all week, this morning I filled up 3 signed for cards by 7.30, they've been queuing out of the door constantly, its impossible to get all the other jobs done.............getting really pissed off with all the British Gas parts, now we start later we get 40 mins to get everything done instead of the 2 hours we used to, standards are slipping big time and I doubt its just my office.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 29 Nov 2007, 18:53

k66yla wrote:I'm going to print that article off and leave it on the managers desk. I don't even bother to ask for help now as the response is always the same 'we've got walks uncovered so you can't have any help'. Its been mental in callers all week, this morning I filled up 3 signed for cards by 7.30, they've been queuing out of the door constantly, its impossible to get all the other jobs done.............getting really pissed off with all the British Gas parts, now we start later we get 40 mins to get everything done instead of the 2 hours we used to, standards are slipping big time and I doubt its just my office.

Do you never wish the floor would just open up and swallow you

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 29 Nov 2007, 18:59

I wish that most of the time disgruntled, especially when I can't find the parcel, you can hear the chinese whispers working there way along the queue 'they've lost another one'...........as dvbuk said its a thankless task, not just from customers but from management aswell.

Post by **dvbuk55** » 29 Nov 2007, 19:02

k66yla wrote:I'm going to print that article off and leave it on the managers desk. I don't even bother to ask for help now as the response is always the same 'we've got walks uncovered so you can't have any help'. Its been mental in callers all week, this morning I filled up 3 signed for cards by 7.30, they've been queuing out of the door constantly, its impossible to get all the other jobs done.............getting really pissed off with all the British Gas parts, now we start later we get 40 mins to get everything done instead of the 2 hours we used to, standards are slipping big time and I doubt its just my office.

I certainly don't envy you and you are right it is endemic because of the increase of packets and the later starts. I wrote a letter to the DOM a couple of weeks ago asking for an SA to cover the shortfall NOW - let alone the pressure - in fairness this DOM has only been here a very short time so he's not found his bearings yet. We lost several SA Collections some months back so there would be a case to reschedule some time. If you are finding it difficult and need a comfort break, smoke, look for something - explain to the customer what you are about - then lock the door. There will be a wailing and gnashing of teeth but you need help and that point needs to be driven home. It is a very stressful environment so don't get upset and uptight see your rep, go to the manager and tell him you are feeling stressed, should you then need to go sick on his head be it.

not me · Post by **not me** » 29 Nov 2007, 20:11

yup callers office is a nightmare.whats happeniong with everyone over december?
we usually stay open 3 hours later to 3.30pm but seemingly were not doing it this year as theres no one to cover it

Big Daz · Post by **Big Daz** » 29 Nov 2007, 20:32

My callers office now shuts at 1300 used to be open untill 1730.

Stiill postcomm in their wisdom set RM license at 5 hours a day for callers office.

Parcels and packets are on the increase earlier this year, its going to a extra busy xmas this me thinks.

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 29 Nov 2007, 20:46

Ours is open 7am - 7pm Mon-Fri & 7am-12.30pm Sat (can't leave till 2pm as have to wait for the posties to come back)..........I was hoping when the later starts came in they would at least change the opening time to 8am

mark21 · Post by **mark21** » 29 Nov 2007, 21:13

Our callers office opens 8am til i2.30pm' only one person in there at any one time. Always big queues.

PHG is not vey good anyway as she is looking for VR AT 69 and is always panicing.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 29 Nov 2007, 21:20

When the office is closed we should put all the manager's mobile phone number's out side the office as contact helpline number's.

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 29 Nov 2007, 21:37

k979aaa wrote:When the office is closed we should put all the manager's mobile phone number's out side the office as contact helpline number's.

beachy head · Post by **beachy head** » 29 Nov 2007, 22:15

LAST XMAS A CUSTOMER QUEING FOR A PARCEL WAS TOLD BY A MANAGER
QUOTE " YOU HAVE TO QUEUE IN TESCOS AND YOU HAVE TO QUEUE HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
CHEERS THEN

theflyingpostman · Post by **theflyingpostman** » 29 Nov 2007, 22:51

We don't have queues that bad but with a combination of the later starts and a crack down on "doorstepping" there's been a large increase in packets going back to the callers office. Because all items have to be "booked in" the staff have been unable to book them all in whilst dealing with customers enquiries.

We have now been told by our DOM that if the item is NOT Special Delivery we must put on the p739 card that the customer should leave 24 HOURS before collecting their item! On Saturdays this means they'll have to wait 'till Monday.

So much for customer service!

slave 10000 · Post by **slave 10000** » 29 Nov 2007, 23:01

Since the later start times came in if I have docket left items I just write on the card leave until tomorrow as the callers office is closed when we get back. Makes sense ? Same with specials with some being delivered after 1 cuz being so late. So if you ve want train tickets or whatever youre knackered. Special Delivery supposed to be next day. Not now. Well, they know what they are doing. When a plan comes together eh.