'Late mail makes me hopping mad'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/maidstone/L ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THE boss of a Yalding-based hop merchants says he is "depressed and saddened" by Royal Mail budget cuts, which are delaying the delivery of important documents to his company.

John Smith, director of Lupofresh Ltd, said recent postal staff absences through sickness and holidays had resulted in mail not arriving until late afternoon.

A Royal Mail official told Mr Smith postal workers from nearby offices have been covering for the village after completing their normal daily duties. Consequently, mail sits at Yalding post office all day, with customers unable to collect items until they have been sorted.

"The system that is forced upon us cracks at the first little problem and just falls apart," said Mr Smith. "As soon as the normal person is away and the replacement goes sick, that's it – Yalding is cut off."

A buyer, seller and processor of hops, Lupofresh has traded in Kent's most famous product from its premises in Benover Road for 20 years. With 24 full-time and casual staff, it is the biggest employer in the village.

Mr Smith said: "We are quite a large business – we are international hop merchants and deal all over the world. We have between £15 million and £20 million turnover a year, so we are not a penny ante little company.

"We have enough problems in fighting the competition in business in general, without fighting this country's internal systems, that should be assisting you rather than fighting against you."

After struggling with late deliveries for several days, Mr Smith lost his patience while waiting for documents needed to clear a consignment of American hops through customs.

"We needed them in here so we could process them to go out to the customer this week," he said.

"The goods themselves are worth a lot of money, but the worst part is the fear of not meeting a promise to a customer."

Mr Smith said the Royal Mail's area manager in Maidstone had told him that resources had been "cut to the bone" and there was nothing he could do to help.

He said: "I feel depressed and sad and annoyed that we have come to this sort of state, where we are being denied access to a piece of paper just a mile down the road."

Paddock Wood businessman and parish council chairman Mike Mackenzie said the service from Royal Mail "could be better", but that people needed to try to work with it.

He said: "I really would like the postal system to be quicker, cheaper and for the customer service to be better, but you can't change the world."

Royal Mail refused to comment.

[noggin1969]

We have enough problems in fighting the competition in business in general, without fighting this country's internal systems, that should be assisting you rather than fighting against you.

[Judgee]

So who wants to phone this guy and tell him that he should be happy with the service he is getting because its only going to get worse in the next few months?

[Wiggins79]

Paddock Wood businessman and parish council chairman Mike Mackenzie said the service from Royal Mail "could be better", but that people needed to try to work with it.

He said: "I really would like the postal system to be quicker, cheaper and for the customer service to be better, but you can't change the world."

My god, how much cheaper does he want it? Maybe he should have a look what our European chums get charged for posting mail?

[viking]

Sorry to hear that mate, but im surprised that such an established company are waiting for "documents" to arrive through the post. We have been told my managers for the last year or so that businesses have now switched to e-mailing so that is why our mail volumes have fallen drastically!!!!

[Wessex]

As a rural postie when our office was short it was generally the High Street walk,you know the one with all the businesses on it lol, that was delivered in the late afternoon by a reserve on o/t.I have long been convinced that this seemed to be a deliberate policy.Internal politics driven perhaps rather than something more sinister I would hope,

[POSTMAN]

As a rural postie when our office was short it was generally the High Street walk,you know the one with all the businesses on it lol, that was delivered in the late afternoon by a reserve on o/t.I have long been convinced that this seemed to be a deliberate policy.Internal politics driven perhaps rather than something more sinister I would hope,

That's naughty,high streets should be top priority.

[smokerjim]

Welcome to the world of the real, Mr Smith...

[Lounge Lizard]

As a rural postie when our office was short it was generally the High Street walk,you know the one with all the businesses on it lol, that was delivered in the late afternoon by a reserve on o/t.I have long been convinced that this seemed to be a deliberate policy.Internal politics driven perhaps rather than something more sinister I would hope,

That's naughty,high streets should be top priority.

That's right, first where I am, even though the pubs aren't open.

[gazza82]

Just seen one of our boys delivering mail at 19.10 in crewe town centre : , is this the norm ??? Every where else ?

[Stormproof]

Royal Mail's area manager in Maidstone had told him that resources had been "cut to the bone" and there was nothing he could do to help.

I so want to comment on this article, but I can't

[kimski1976]

resources have been cut to the bone because of dickheads like that area manager. the only thing you can do to get your mail when you want is to take out a priority service.

[taurus88]

Just seen one of our boys delivering mail at 19.10 in crewe town centre : , is this the norm ??? Every where else ?

In our office, someone somewhere will still be delivering after 4pm every day of the week except Saturday - for whatever reason.