Royal Mail collection time changes branded 'ridiculous'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Postmasters in Cambridge have been left furious by Royal Mail’s decision to bring forward collection times at the end of each weekday.

Royal Mail have chosen to make their final collections in the city at 5.10pm as opposed to 5.30pm, just months after they said there were no plans to change collection times.

Grafton Post Office postmaster David Prentice has criticised the decision, labelling it “ridiculous and backward”.

People often send post late in the afternoon at Mr Prentice’s Napier Street office, and he believes the changes – which come into effect on July 1 – will cause havoc to local businesses.

He said: “The change will represent a significant worsening of the service for businesses and individuals needing a last-minute or emergency mailing.

“It is going to be an inconvenience to a lot of people.

“Parcels and tracked items will still be accepted at the Post Office even after the last collection, but, of course, they will now be sitting there well into the next day which is not what people 
expect.”

Monica Lentin, from Monica Lentin & Co Solicitors, often uses the post office after work.

She said: “It will certainly affect us and all the other businesses nearby.

“I worry that it is part of a larger plan to say the post office is no longer required – which would be a disaster for the area.”

The change is not limited to the Grafton site, with other post offices in Cambridge receiving a letter outlining the new collection times.

Matthew Witt, Royal Mail collection planning manager, said: “As part of our transformation plans, we’re making improvement to collection routes making them more effective and achieve a more professional and consistent service.”

Mr Prentice has criticised the manner of the change, particularly how there was no consultation with post 
offices or customers before the decision was made.

He said: “It is hard to imagine anyone saying anything positive about it.

“Where other businesses are improving customer services Royal Mail have decided to do the opposite.”

However, Mr Prentice remains hopeful that the decision might be reversed, adding: “I was told by Royal Mail that if there are enough complaints the decision will be put under a review and they will reconsider.”

[DirtyHarry]

However, Mr Prentice remains hopeful that the decision might be reversed, adding: “I was told by Royal Mail that if there are enough complaints the decision will be put under a review and they will reconsider.”

Yes, and I'm the dead spit of Bradley Pitt.
Hook, line, and sinker, springs instantly to mind.

[Lincox]

Right we have considered. No change and fck the lot of you, customers and employees.

[Thunderthighs]

"People post parcels late in the afternoon" or words to that effect.

Yep, normally at 5.29 and 59 seconds, so your then late for the next collection!

[UnhappyGremlin]

The new times will be implemented on July 1st, and under no circumstances will they be reconsidered, even for a second. RM just aren't interested, especially not in what customers want.
There are a couple of very large businesses in my area that were given new collection times, and they spend thousands a week, when they told RM the times were no good for them or their business, and if they didn't maintain the current collection times they would move to another company, RM still refused and lost business worth well over half a million.

[Darren Bent]

Royal mail is not good at listening to us and customers. They do what they want :( it should be increased to 6pm not other way round.