Thousands paid in post blunders

[theflyingpostman]

http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/Thousa ... 3657150.jp

By abena bailey
As dozens of Dacorum residents complain about lost, damaged or tampered post, Royal Mail reports it has paid out thousands of pounds in compensation to people in the HP postcode area.

Customers like Josephine Horn and Paula Oliver, both from Hemel Hempstead, were among those who complained about Christmas cards being slit open and other grievances included gifts of money missing from cards.

Sending cash is a popular way of giving a Christmas present. According to Royal Mail 50 per cent of people choose this method.

From 2006 to 2007 the company received 8,491 complaints and of that paid out a total of £83,747 to 3,174 people.

It blames the industrial action during the second and third quarters of 2007 to 2008 for the poor service.

Only 78.4 per cent of first class letters reached their destination the working day after posting, compared with an on-target 93 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

Royal Mail marketing director Alex Batchelor said: "Customers are all too aware that strike action continued during
the third quarter of the year which means that targets will be missed for the autumn period.

Complaints from HP postcode
Complaint: losses
Complaints: 3,184
Number paid: 2,017
Amount paid: £56,157

Complaint: delay
Complaints: 473
Number paid: 322
Amount paid: £2,890

Complaint: damage
Complaints: 426
Number paid: 212
Amount paid: £7,198

Complaint: theft/
violated/wilful delay/
recovered mail
Complaints: 50
Number paid: 11
Amount paid: £5,671

Complaint: property damage
Complaints: 43
Number paid: 24
Amount paid: £2,197

Complaint: part loss
Complaints: 145
Number paid: 55
Amount paid: £3,386

The full article contains 300 words and appears in Hemel Hempstead Express newspaper.
Last Updated: 10 January 2008 9:17 AM