Miserable customers

[villa_rule_123]

Just had my first customer in 4 and a half years of the job that spoke to me like I was total scum, a 80 year old granny!

My van partner put a Special letter in the bundle of mail for the road I was delivering down, he put it in the next door's mail by accident and turned it, as it was the last house on the road I didn't look at their mail properly and shoved it all through the door. I remembered my partner saying there was a special somewhere down that road and that I hadn't noticed it, then I realised what happened. I went to the person who the special was for and it started off reasonable then she realised she wasn't getting it as they weren't in, and flipped. She said that I was unprofessional despite being honest about it all and that I wouldn't be in the job for much longer. I said I have knocked 6 times and no answer, and the old bat said that I should wait all day until they're home, that she wouldn't get it off them later as she's not responsible for it.

I spoke to my manager and he was fine with it and said not to worry, I said as I live round the corner I will go later to retrieve it. I did this at 15.30 and finally at 17-15 and they were finally in. Her neighbours said that she wouldn't have it off them as it had to be signed for and that the postman needs to get it off them. I took it round to her and there was no 'thankyou' for my efforts for getting it back and that I was incompetent at my job. I just said 'enjoy' and handed it, walked off.

Anyone else had any experiences like this? I was tempted to have a go back but in the end I rose above it and just smiled at her.

[Judgee]

Only have one nasty customer, Evil Edna. Before Xmas she flew down the road after me waving an envelope. I thought my luck was in and it was a Christmas tip. But no, even though it was her full address it had someone elses name on it. She then ranted and raved for ten minutes about if she has someone elses mail where was hers going, etc. I tried explaining someone probably tapped the wrong name/address when they were inputting a bill or something and that I very much doubted that it meant any of her mail was going elsewhere. Finally she buggered off and let me get on with things having established (from her point of view) that all postmen are incompetent and all her mail is being wrongly delivered somewhere else!

Got a mail shot returned from her the other day and she's written all over it "this is harrassment I told you before to stop sending me this stuff. I am going to the press about you and I'm gonna sue" yadda yadda yadda. Think shes been seriously got a screw loose!

[cyberheater]

What a load of crap from that customer. I would not have gone back and get it. Not for someone like that. Feck 'em.

[fishtank]

I would not have gone back and get it. Not for someone like that.

He didn't go back for her,he went back for himself.
If she hadn't got it she would definitely have put in a complaint(might still) and an investigation would have to be done.
Despite his manager's reasonable attitude conduct charges may have followed but at least now he has retrieved the item and obtained a signature so it should be the end of it..
It was the smart thing to do.

[tigercat]

Any "bad" behaviour/insults/swearing from customers just gets ignored by me. As long as you keep calm and dont swear you will be OK. I usually offer to give them my managers number and tell them they are being recorded on my mobile. If its my fault I will say sorry. If they are just being an @rse I remember them when I have a packet. No door knock just a 739 and a quick getaway. I always get them back in the end.

The postie did the right thing by getting the letter back and delivering it.

[cyberheater]

I would not have gone back and get it. Not for someone like that.

He didn't go back for her,he went back for himself.
If she hadn't got it she would definitely have put in a complaint(might still) and an investigation would have to be done.
Despite his manager's reasonable attitude conduct charges may have followed but at least now he has retrieved the item and obtained a signature so it should be the end of it..
It was the smart thing to do.

Yes. I think your right. My judgement was somewhat clouded by how much of a arse this customer was. She sure sounds like a bitter and twisted individual. I wonder if she is an ex postie.

[villa_rule_123]

It would have been interesting if it wasn't retrieved, would I be at fault or my partner for putting it amongst the wrong house? I suspect it would have been me for 'not looking through' the mail properly.

I thought I acted with complete professionalism as there's not many that would have been totally honest about it and made such an effort to get it back. But all she could thing of was the original mistake. She's probably a widow counting down the days until her ticker goes.

This is why I hate having specials in my bundles, asking for trouble and I'm going to make a point of it to everyone I'm partnered up with.

[NWpostie]

I have ways of getting back at customers who give me a hard time, they don't know what happens to their letter between sorting and delivery, its not nice I will say


Proverb: Never be nasty to the waiter BEFORE you get your meal

[cyberheater]

I have ways of getting back at customers who give me a hard time, they don't know what happens to their letter between sorting and delivery, its not nice I will say

LOL. I shudder to think.

[hampshireman]

It would have been interesting if it wasn't retrieved, would I be at fault or my partner for putting it amongst the wrong house? I suspect it would have been me for 'not looking through' the mail properly.

I thought I acted with complete professionalism as there's not many that would have been totally honest about it and made such an effort to get it back. But all she could thing of was the original mistake. She's probably a widow counting down the days until her ticker goes.

This is why I hate having specials in my bundles, asking for trouble and I'm going to make a point of it to everyone I'm partnered up with.

I suppose i must ask. Why would a Special be in a bundle in the first place? Should they not be seperate?

[resperin]

Put special on top of bundle IMO, recordeds inside bundle

[scorched]

Would the driver not have signed for the SDs and then be responsible for them?

[k979aaa]

It would have been interesting if it wasn't retrieved, would I be at fault or my partner for putting it amongst the wrong house? I suspect it would have been me for 'not looking through' the mail properly.

I thought I acted with complete professionalism as there's not many that would have been totally honest about it and made such an effort to get it back. But all she could thing of was the original mistake. She's probably a widow counting down the days until her ticker goes.

This is why I hate having specials in my bundles, asking for trouble and I'm going to make a point of it to everyone I'm partnered up with.

I suppose i must ask. Why would a Special be in a bundle in the first place? Should they not be seperate?

I keep all specials and tracked out of bundles as you may have a breakdown or accident incident.

[Toby Tyke]

Had one on my round.
I posted a letter for next door thru his letterbox.
Instead of passing it on or giving me it back he drove the 3 miles to our office and demanded to see a manager insisting I am stupid and should be sacked !
Just before Xmas I had a tracked for his house. Name did match up so I new to expect trouble.
Knocked on the door and showed him the parcel. As expected he kicked off and told me deffo not him and I should know better.
Duly knocked it off when I got back to the office.
Next day Mr Pleasant is on the doorstep waiting for me.
"Er that parcel I gave you back was for a friend of my wife. It's a watch for her husband for Xmas. Can I have it back please or my wife will kill me "
Funnily enough I could not help him

[meercat]

a lot of old people spend a lot of time alone all day and jump at the chance to talk to someone. unfortuately some are miserable as sin so they have confrontations not conversations! you should remember its not personal - they hate everyone. you did the best thing to cover yourself good job. stuff the old cow and forget about her ignorance.

yes there was an old bat on my last round like that. I thought she just hated me but she was in the lift one day with me .and talked to the meals on wheels guy like he was dirt too. she moved out before Xmas and sent everyone on her old floor a 'hope you have a miserable Xmas' card. simply sad cases.