Waiting game

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Waiting ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AT ONE time, a postman would leave a card advising that a packet could not be delivered because it was too large, giving options for collection from the local delivery office, or a phone number to call the delivery office to arrange a convenient delivery date.

On ringing the local delivery office number (no charge with my phone tariff) a person would answer and an arrangement would be made for a next-day delivery. Simple and no hassle!

But now it seems that things have changed, but not for the better in my view. On Friday March 23 such a situation occurred, but the number I was given to ring was an 0845 premium number, proving costly. There was an automated answering machine that asked many time-wasting questions and suggested pressing various numbers for a number of options. Only one was relevant to the case in hand.

After many wasted and costly minutes (is this a deliberate ruse to make money?) an automated voice advised that my package would be redelivered on Monday March 26. I was then asked to make a note of a number consisting of 15 digits – not at all appropriate for elderly people.

I waited in but the package did not arrive, resulting in more expensive calls to Royal Mail and an eventual promise of a delivery on Wednesday, March 28 . This did take place but I was obliged to wait in for three days.