RMCtv : We have listened to your feedback regarding the issues delivery colleagues have been experiencing when handling Parcel Collect. 25 is now the maximum number of permitted items.

[POSTMAN]

Reminder to check Parcel Collect item volumes before departing office

We have listened to your feedback regarding the issues delivery colleagues have been experiencing when handling Parcel Collect.

From time to time, there may be instances where customers try to hand over a number of items that you may not have capacity to accept. This is infrequent, however, to avoid these situations please remember to check the numbers and weights of items that are on your collection before leaving the office. If there is an anticipated problem, an alternative method for collection should be agreed upon.

To help reduce such incidents, we have made a change to the PDA and booking systems, so that if customers attempt to hand over in excess of 25 items, the PDA will prompt that the maximum number of permitted items has been reached. If this happens, you will need to explain to the customer that you cannot accept these items due to capacity and advise them to book the additional items in for a collection on an alternative day.

Tue Jan 17, 2023 Our customers really liked the ability to hand over more items, so to allow them to take advantage of this service even more, we are going to remove the cap in the coming weeks. However, the collection can still not exceed 50 items including the items that have been booked.
RMCtv : PARCEL COLLECT ENHANCEMENTS - Accepting additional un-booked items on the day - removal of the cap.

pda.jpg

[Basildon Bond]

I'd say it's not the amount but rather the size that is the problem. So 50 tiny packets isn't too much of a problem if they all fit in a sack - it's just a bit annoying scanning them all in at the doorstep; especially when it's pouring it down. 25 shoebox sized items to collect could still be a problem if it's at the start of the shift and the van is full.

[LouBarlow]

Has this actually started yet? We had 41 the other day, but they came up as 3 separate jobs. Perhaps that is a way around the limit.

[Moose67]

Start charging for the stuff I have to collect from people who live right by a Post box but can't be added to buy stamps and all I pick is 2nd class items not even tracked and firms who used to pay for evening collections now getting it picked up for free no wonder we are losing money

[enskied]

I'd say it's not the amount but rather the size that is the problem. So 50 tiny packets isn't too much of a problem if they all fit in a sack - it's just a bit annoying scanning them all in at the doorstep; especially when it's pouring it down. 25 shoebox sized items to collect could still be a problem if it's at the start of the shift and the van is full.

It's faffing about matching the right label to the items. I regularly pick up anywhere between 20 to 30 items from a safe place at a property. They are all handily in a bin bag or two. But I then spend so much time matching the labels to the names on the packets.

[manboss]

It's faffing about matching the right label to the items. I regularly pick up anywhere between 20 to 30 items from a safe place at a property. They are all handily in a bin bag or two. But I then spend so much time matching the labels to the names on the packets.

I have to do items from safe places to but its annoying, especially when there's lots to do, i always think why should we have to stick the labels on, shouldn't the customer have to do this, what happens if you label a packet wrong.

[citypostie]

I'd say it's not the amount but rather the size that is the problem. So 50 tiny packets isn't too much of a problem if they all fit in a sack - it's just a bit annoying scanning them all in at the doorstep; especially when it's pouring it down. 25 shoebox sized items to collect could still be a problem if it's at the start of the shift and the van is full.

It's faffing about matching the right label to the items. I regularly pick up anywhere between 20 to 30 items from a safe place at a property. They are all handily in a bin bag or two. But I then spend so much time matching the labels to the names on the packets.

You aren't meant to put the stickers on if theres more than one to pick up and you aren't meant to pick up more than 1 from a safceplace if you have to bring the labels

[Basildon Bond]

...what happens if you label a packet wrong.

Do it a few times - slap one/any label on any packet as you pick them up. The customer will stop leaving it to you and get them printed!

[LouBarlow]

We definitely have multiple unlabelled collections from safe places. They just write the postcode on them so we know which is which. If they don’t have this they don’t get picked up. Simple.

[DiamondSmiles]

I quite often get medium parcels put on my PDA to collect even though I use an HCT. I have turned up and the customer has tried to give me a half dustbin size parcels which I haven't a hope in hell getting in my trolly. It's embarrassing trying to explain to the customer I can't take it. Small parcels and letters only for HCT duties is what it should be.

[olilew]

When we get a multiple pickup we knock on and give them the labels and say we'll be back in half an hour or so. We finish our loop while they stick the labels on then when we go back they're all ready.

[manboss]

Do it a few times - slap one/any label on any packet as you pick them up. The customer will stop leaving it to you and get them printed!

Tempting but i'd hate to give our manager some free ammunition

[norris9]

I quite often go to collect items and there's nothing to collect, either because....

-They have taken the item to a postbox or post office themselves.
-They cancelled the order.
-It was picked up by another worker on a previous day.
-They accidentally booked a collection when they didn't mean to.
-There's nobody in.

Start charging them and it will stop most of this.

[Mr Rush]

Start charging them and it will stop most of this.

They will once they feel they've cultivated a captive customer base. A lot of businesses these days follow the drug-dealer, I mean the Amazon model: give your product away freely or steeply discounted, get them hooked, then gouge them.

[HTPostman]

I quite often go to collect items and there's nothing to collect, either because....

-They have taken the item to a postbox or post office themselves.
-They cancelled the order.
-It was picked up by another worker on a previous day.
-They accidentally booked a collection when they didn't mean to.
-There's nobody in.

Start charging them and it will stop most of this.

I can understand most of those reasons but the accidentally booking a collection excuse continues to confuse me.

One of the rounds I cover, there’s a particularly difficult address (you have to park on the wrong side of a 60mph road, and you’re right on a blind corner) and they constantly have collections booked in. 90% of the time I go there and the woman says she didn’t mean to book it in. I just don’t get it.

I regularly have collections myself, there’s various pages you have to fill in, you have to enter payment details, confirm their address and your address, what postage you want etc....how can you do all that accidentally?!