Driver not ringing doorbell

[frustrated customer]

Hi

I found this forum when I was looking for information about Royal Mail and wondered if anyone could help.

We live in a house that has an original front door, and then a porch extension with a front door and a letter box in it. When items are brought on the van, the driver taps lightly on the glass in the porch door, but unfortunately this cannot be heard in the house, so we don't know he is there and he leaves a card.

I've asked him personally if he could use the doorbell as both us as it has a loud bell in the hall which can be heard all over the house, but he said he's not allowed to ring doorbells as quite often they are broken?! I did point out ours isn't broken and pressed it while he was there to show him it works, but he still refuses to ring the bell.

I've left complaints at the delivery office when I've been collecting parcels, and I've complained through the form on the Royal Mail website. They told me the complaint had been actioned and sent 6 first class stamps!

However I was in the kitchen this morning, and heard the letter box rattle and found yet another card has been left as he didn't ring the doorbell.

The collection office is on a high street with no vehicle access for cars. It's frustrating when I have to drive to town, pay to park, then struggle back to the car with the parcel, a baby in a pushchair and a toddler on a wrist strap. It defeats the point of internet shopping if you still have to struggle in town! It could all be avoided if the driver was able to use the doorbell.

I would be grateful if anyone could offer any advice on the best way of getting the driver to ring the doorbell.

The regular postman that brings letters on foot manages fine with the doorbell if I have anything bulky, so it can be done!

[westlondonpostie]

Next time you see the driver, ask him to press the doorbell as well as knock on the door, I've also had a customer accuse me of not ringing the bell, only for me to say I did and press the bell in front of them and got nothing but silence,

[coxie]

ive never heard of a postie not being allowed to ring a door bell, ask him for the name of his manager that says hes not allowed to ring the doorbell and if he gives you a name then ring up and ask to speak directly to that manager and explain it to him. If he says its a national thing that every postman doesnt use doorbells then he is lying, i cant understand why. It might be a stupid direction from his manager because im sure he would rather get rid of the parcel than leave a form.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Mandelson Toenail - I deleted your post before posting in Customers Section please read the guidelines http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =6&t=16499" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LDV 350]

You could contact customer services and ask for a special instruction be put in place, this should ensure he will comply with your request

[mazza111]

I feel for you. I also would advise getting a special instruction and a word with the office manager.


Had a funny one of these while I was answering the phone to someone. She called up regarding a package, the postie didn't ring the bell or knock the door. So took the lady's name and address, and it clicked. So explained to her that I was her postie, and yes I did ring her bell and knock hard on her door, but she was listening to Cascada - Evacuate the Dancefloor at top volume at the time
Hey no laughing that i recognised the song, I have a teenage daughter! That's my excuse and i'm sticking to it!!!

[frustrated customer]

Thanks all. I will follow up the information you have given.

I've been into town to collect the package this morning and had a chat with the lady in the office. She said the complaint did come through from when I reported it online, and the driver has been told. She said he came back and said he definitely rang the bell on Saturday, but I never heard it and neither did our dogs who didn't bark until the letter box rattled. She said the driver has had complaints before and can be a "funny bugger" when he wants to be!

She asked me to put it in writing to delivery office manager that he must ring the bell and I also mentioned our garage door lock is broken so he could leave stuff in there if it doesn't need signing for. She said that needs to be in writing too. I'll do that and drop it in next time I'm passing.

Bell definitely does work. Some children called for mine on the way to school this morning, and a charity collection lady has just been, and both managed to ring it.

[theboropostie]

You shouldn't have to but these work really well if you do a lot of online shopping...

http://www.parcelsafeuk.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pat Ostman]

You shouldn't have to but these work really well if you do a lot of online shopping...

http://www.parcelsafeuk.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love them as a Postman.

We also have to take out parcels even if we know full well the customer will not be in, or have anywhere we can officially leave the parcel. Installing one of these almost always guarantee's you'll get your packet.

They don't look that bad either.

[Stormproof]

This one is expensive but well worth it http://www.parceleater.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Caniel]

Hi

I found this forum when I was looking for information about Royal Mail and wondered if anyone could help.

We live in a house that has an original front door, and then a porch extension with a front door and a letter box in it. When items are brought on the van, the driver taps lightly on the glass in the porch door, but unfortunately this cannot be heard in the house, so we don't know he is there and he leaves a card.

I've asked him personally if he could use the doorbell as both us as it has a loud bell in the hall which can be heard all over the house, but he said he's not allowed to ring doorbells as quite often they are broken?! I did point out ours isn't broken and pressed it while he was there to show him it works, but he still refuses to ring the bell.

I've left complaints at the delivery office when I've been collecting parcels, and I've complained through the form on the Royal Mail website. They told me the complaint had been actioned and sent 6 first class stamps!

However I was in the kitchen this morning, and heard the letter box rattle and found yet another card has been left as he didn't ring the doorbell.

The collection office is on a high street with no vehicle access for cars. It's frustrating when I have to drive to town, pay to park, then struggle back to the car with the parcel, a baby in a pushchair and a toddler on a wrist strap. It defeats the point of internet shopping if you still have to struggle in town! It could all be avoided if the driver was able to use the doorbell.

I would be grateful if anyone could offer any advice on the best way of getting the driver to ring the doorbell.

The regular postman that brings letters on foot manages fine with the doorbell if I have anything bulky, so it can be done!

Sounds like a few drivers at my office while working in the callers getting complaints about drivers not knocking/ringing bells was a regular thing and it was always the same few drivers. The ones that do this write out the red cards before they leave the office and don't even take the packet up to the door they just post the card and speed away in the van. I've even had this happen to me when one of these drivers came to my house while I was on leave . w*****s like this need to be sacked because they won't change and they make the rest of us look bad.

[Speedydelivery]

A foot Postie would always try his best to deliver packet as he would be stuck having to then lug it about on his delivery. But some people take absolutly ages to answer the door and i can understand van drivers chaping the door waiting a few minutes and driving off. As a foot postie I have often chapped a door waited about 3-4 minutes then had someone shouting from their doorstep when I was half way up the street, don't even take one foot off their door step so have to walk all the way back and give them the packet.

We don't really have the time to wait long for people answering the door as we are expected to be really fast and I myself have been pushed over my time and claimed overtime which has not been paid, thats the frustraiting part of my job, not being paid overtime that I have worked, every other job you down tools at finishing time, this is extremely difficult with royal mail delivery. I have to zoom round my walk like an athlete to be on my time.

Frustrated customer, your complaint is very valid as it is bullshit that he can't just ring your bell and it appears he is taking the piss, just having a general moan as i believe the majority of royal mail delivery staff do their best and are being shafted with the added bonus of being tarnished with the same brush as the van driver in question.

[Pat Ostman]

That last post explains it all very well.

[superteamu10]

This is another example though of why RM are eroding customer service. Most Posties are under too much pressure and don't feel they can take their time to get rid of packets.
Some would rather write out a docket as fast as possible, rather than wait or try neighbours etc.

I have been on my round for about 6 years and it takes time to get to know people and whether you know they are likely to be in or have places/neighbours to take packets in.

Unfortunately RM doesn't really care about the average customer anymore, only ones who offer a contract.

[Speedydelivery]

Does any one else ever get really angry when out on a walk. When lost, you can't get into a tennement or know you are going to be over your time? I often have to instantly calm down when a member of the public is being friendly to me. lol