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Customers and gates.

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
BingBong
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 755
Joined: 12 May 2011, 12:36
Gender: Female
Location: the north

Customers and gates.

Post by BingBong »

I walk to house and the gate is wide open. I walk in post letter through the door and walk out. Customer comes out and shouts abusive words at me along side shut the gate. I say the gate was already open thats why Ieft it open. Am I right on this? Or should I close it anyway? Seems petty but I dont need swearing at.
Toon Army!
Dozen
Posts: 101
Joined: 21 Mar 2013, 18:56
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by Dozen »

The people that moan about this sort of thing aren't worth our time, but what's even worse is to allow yourself to get worked up by them and end up having an argument - total waste of time. So I find the best thing is just politely say "sorry as it was open already i thought i'd leave it how i found it, my apologies etc" and then crack on with the walk. If i'm on my way out through the garden or nearby the gate at the time then i'll shut it for them but if i'm halfway down the road then forget it not walking all the way back just to shut their gate :arrrghhh
BingBong
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 755
Joined: 12 May 2011, 12:36
Gender: Female
Location: the north

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by BingBong »

Dozen wrote:The people that moan about this sort of thing aren't worth our time, but what's even worse is to allow yourself to get worked up by them and end up having an argument - total waste of time. So I find the best thing is just politely say "sorry as it was open already i thought i'd leave it how i found it, my apologies etc" and then crack on with the walk. If i'm on my way out through the garden or nearby the gate at the time then i'll shut it for them but if i'm halfway down the road then forget it not walking all the way back just to shut their gate :arrrghhh
i wasnt rude back and infact did say sorry but it was already open thats why i never closed it as i thought you may need it open.
Toon Army!
demon
Posts: 732
Joined: 08 Jul 2009, 14:19
Gender: Female

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by demon »

must admit i shut them if there open but thats just a habit but yes you in there right
Dozen
Posts: 101
Joined: 21 Mar 2013, 18:56
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by Dozen »

BingBong wrote:
Dozen wrote:The people that moan about this sort of thing aren't worth our time, but what's even worse is to allow yourself to get worked up by them and end up having an argument - total waste of time. So I find the best thing is just politely say "sorry as it was open already i thought i'd leave it how i found it, my apologies etc" and then crack on with the walk. If i'm on my way out through the garden or nearby the gate at the time then i'll shut it for them but if i'm halfway down the road then forget it not walking all the way back just to shut their gate :arrrghhh
i wasnt rude back and infact did say sorry but it was already open thats why i never closed it as i thought you may need it open.
then there's nothing to worry about

dealing with the public you can never please everyone just accept there's oddballs out there that want to moan about everything
comeracing
Posts: 806
Joined: 28 Nov 2010, 20:58
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by comeracing »

i leave the gate as I find them if I have to open one I close it on the way out
teddybear1948
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 13
Joined: 23 Mar 2011, 19:01
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by teddybear1948 »

a few years back i had to deliver to a house where gate was quite akward to open ,sort of had to half lift it.Well one day the inevitable happened it came off its hinges lol.I tried to put it back but couldnt so left it standing neatly against the garden wall.Next day it had been put back on and nothing was ever said about it.Happy days
Lounge Lizard
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 9458
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by Lounge Lizard »

BingBong wrote:I walk to house and the gate is wide open. I walk in post letter through the door and walk out. Customer comes out and shouts abusive words at me along side shut the gate. I say the gate was already open thats why Ieft it open. Am I right on this? Or should I close it anyway? Seems petty but I dont need swearing at.
Just reply that "a creaking gate hangs longest" :Very Happy then they'll be confused and ignore you in future. :nana :nana
johno47
Posts: 495
Joined: 10 Feb 2007, 16:45
Location: Burslem

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by johno47 »

Always leave gate as I find it, been told off for not closing gates and for closing them, apparently if I closed the gate how would her dog get back in, unbelievable, :crazy:
Cowdenpostie
Posts: 45
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 19:59
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by Cowdenpostie »

Yep, if a gates open when I get there it's left open after I leave and vice versa...
JiminyBillyBob
Posts: 177
Joined: 26 Jun 2012, 21:06
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by JiminyBillyBob »

I always find that these people who shout about their gates are, never quite with it, old people with too much time on their hands, get work up about anything people, or all three. I've been on walks I've never done before and get people coming out shouting that they've told me everyday about shutting the gate?! I usually just humour them or ignore them, I guess theres something good about being a reserve and not having to see these people everyday! But I wouldn't worry too much about it, and if they are the kind of people the phone up and complain I doubt the complaints office cares too much either, I've never had a manager come talk to me about leaving someones gate open.
IloveMYredTROLLEY!
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1923
Joined: 02 Apr 2010, 06:54
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by IloveMYredTROLLEY! »

And what about gates that are knackered, where the latches don't align properly, so the gate needs to be physically lifted to gain access?
Lazycarton
Posts: 193
Joined: 15 Mar 2012, 18:52
Gender: Male

Re: Customers and gates.

Post by Lazycarton »

If the gate is knackered then they obviously like it that way or are too lazy or unconcerned about it. If it doesn't shut properly I am not going to waste my time doing some fancy trick to make it shut. If the owner wants to that's up to them.