EARLY TO COLLECTION

[Thunderthighs]

Did a town collection today, first one for ages. Got to about 3/4 and older aged guy with walking stick in car saying he waited 1 hr for me, in 2 degree temp!
Apparently, him and Mrs forgot to stamp items - 50! - and could I open box and put stamps on, which were in his hand, ( Said he'd asked Office. )
I said this wasn't possible, apologised, said I was being "timed" so lost at least 5 mins on talk, and decided to do main PO next.
( They had TOTALLY jammed up the box, Totally. Couldn't get mail out without hard effort/lost loads of time time.)
Was in a bit of a panic - due to lost time - and zapped PO boxes 3 - 5 mins early thinking I was late. ( Didn't check zapper til later, DOH!)
Also had young lad put letter in box at PO, then later he realised NO stamp...again. I said it was almost impossible to search for card in 20 bag, and I said person other end would pay. Then, he told me it was Christmas card for his Dad, in Prison. I felt awful thinking he wouldn't get it, but what could I do?!

Explained to PHG the problems - there were a few others - and he said, yes, someone had left 50 stamps to put on the stampless items, and had forgotten to tell me before I left.
So, will DOM have grounds to have a go at me? We are a Public Service, and I was trying to placate the Public, and do my job properly.

Any advice appreciated.

[rowdogg]

sorry but if it was me id search through as ive done before - collections can wait although i understand the stress of missing po's etc. no win situation

[macdhu26]

I would have checked also.We had a postie in our office years(long retired)who was a grumpy old git and when people had posted a wrong item in the postbox and he had closed that box he refused point blank to open it again.He never got much in the way of tips and no wonder.

[DGP1]

There is too much stress in collections these days so my advice (if you're forced to do them) is just take your time, drive carefully and within the speed limit and to help out the customers whenever possible

[DGP1]

I also meant to say that this is the first year that they've timed the Christmas collections in my office, every other year it's been enough to just get them lifted and off to the MC ASAP.

I suppose that's progress for you

[Thunderthighs]

Agree with all the advice, but...main PO was closing at 12.30, so had not much choice to alter/amend round to account for the delays.
( Starts at 11.30am, 3 subs, 1 main and about 25 boxes...in just over an hour. Almost "Mission Impossible" to be honest. )
Agree that rushing isn't advisable, but the way the collection is organised, if it's busy with traffic or delays, almost impossible to complete within allotted time.
Main PO stayed open 5 mins extra so that I could be given "extra" Specials that he had "promised" to customers for Monday at their tills.
This was after loading all their mail and the Specials that were already there. So, meant another 5 min delay, not my fault.
Yes, I could have told him to go and feck himself, but what would that have achieved?
Answer is: More time required, but I know that won't get any air-time back at the Office.

[OnAFlyer]

Simple answer is, you're a complete and utter jobsworth. You're not alone though, half the RM employees are like you unfortunately.

[Pompey Boy]

Thunderthighs do not feel bad about the customers. I get this F******* S*** all of the time - oh I've put a letter in the box without a stamp (how do they know??), oh I must have dropped a fiver into the box as it's not in my pocket now (probably gone on booze or drugs) - the list goes on. Don't let these idiots delay you and waste your time. So many times I've sorted through a box to find unstamped mail, only to lose my meal break. Any stuff like that again I suggest you put the mail into a seperate bag and hand it into a manager. Tell the public what you have done and waste THEIR time sortin THEIR mistake. I just dread that puppy dog face when I get to a box. Any other company would charge for a service that sorts the publics STUPID mistakes. Rant over - we had a great win today!

[Thunderthighs]

Thanks, Pompey! My old man's from Owen Street, via IOW then Basingstoke evacuation, then Wales.
The next time I come to go up that bloody huge tower with NO FLOOR, in August, try to make sure it's not about minus 3 degrees, LOL!
"Great view to IOW at the top." Yeah, right. Could just about see the Victory.

[Pompey Boy]

Don't get me started on that bloody tower - what a waste of our money!

Me I've found that alot of the no stamp, money in box etc people are time wasters. get them talking about ringing the mail centre and stuff and it never happens. Play up Pompey and have a good Christmas!

[delboy]

Simple answer is, you're a complete and utter jobsworth. You're not alone though, half the RM employees are like you unfortunately.

Yes have to agree, and there's me thinking xmas was a season for goodwill..
Just giving the rest of us a bad name, you should be ashamed of your self..

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Simple answer is, you're a complete and utter jobsworth. You're not alone though, half the RM employees are like you unfortunately.

Tell me how that post above does not break the rules:

This one to be specific.

Please remember everyone is welcome on this site. Customers, CWU Officers, Royal Mail Managers, all Royal Mail employees, the General Public, the press,and even MPs, so please do not resort to abuse if people of a different political persuasion or viewpoint to you, post on a thread.

Thunderthighs was asking for advice and you answer with an insult.

[wolfie citizen smith]

can't believe what i'm reading, the public are our business so when on collections I have always when asked by the public about something they have posted by mistake, accomidated.
The ABC gun is just a tool to tell the main frame if the firm or box has been collected from.
10 mins before and 10 after for firms
30 mins after for boxes
TSO's have to stay open untill you get there.
there is no "need for speed"
Remember smile and the world smiles with you..The only pain in the arses about Royal Mail are the supervisors and this tosser :cfo Oh and this one :mfo and we are still whating for Tolhurst's picture from admin

Oh and by the way .... the ABC scanner can be used again if your early on a box or firm or post office, all you have to do is go to the next point of collection, scan that and then go back to the last one you scanned early...in the words of the mercat "smipples"

[Thunderthighs]

Didn't really know you could re-scan later on...no tells you the important stuff!
Anyway, I'll get my Defense Team together for tomorrow, there's bound to be Spanish Inquisition, so "Mea Culpa, I'm Gulity, is my defense!!!"

Perhaps our Munchkin DOM will get snowed in, if there's an inch or two of the white stuff.

[wolfie citizen smith]

Didn't really know you could re-scan later on...no tells you the important stuff!

Yet another managerial bulls up....they take the money but no fvck all, how much do I hat managers. Well from here to................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................To about here