Leaving packets in bins / other places

[kiltwalker]

So i've been 'shadowing' a chap whose duty i'll be taking over (i'm only a week into job).

He's been doing the same duty for a couple of years, so has some little 'agreements' with some customers - leaving parcels in bins or other 'safe' places.

Must say, i'm not particularly happy doing this and would rather try neighbour or return to office.

Official line, please?

I'm assuming any items reported for not being where stated, and i'd get my arse kicked?

[POSTMAN]

Try neighbour or return to office,no arse kicking can be done.Your colleague is a knob.
Tell him the Church of RMC has spoken.

[greengiant]

Unless the item states "place in bin" on the official safe place on the tracked label, then officially it is a no-no. Nothing to stop someone coming up behind you and taking the item from the bin etc. Even then using an official "safe place" is at the opg's discretion.

Try a neighbour, or p739 it!

[kiltwalker]

Thanks - he's a long-timer... and I can't risk it!

[krussel]

Thanks - he's a long-timer... and I can't risk it!

We all fall into favours for regular customers but its a personal risk, and it is a risk as customers will swear blind they have no knowledge of any arrangement if something gets stolen.

Do the job as others have suggested, by the book.

[cyrus]

Unless the item states "place in bin" on the official safe place on the tracked label, then officially it is a no-no. Nothing to stop someone coming up behind you and taking the item from the bin etc. Even then using an official "safe place" is at the opg's discretion.

Try a neighbour, or p739 it!

Even if it states "place in bin" It's still a no no.

[OnAFlyer]

Unless the item states "place in bin" on the official safe place on the tracked label, then officially it is a no-no. Nothing to stop someone coming up behind you and taking the item from the bin etc. Even then using an official "safe place" is at the opg's discretion.

Try a neighbour, or p739 it!

Even if it states "place in bin" It's still a no no.

That's what the customer has asked for, that's what they get. Our manager will take a photocopy of any safeplace instructions you're not comfortable with. I take a photo myself too just in case.

[pad]

If you can place an item in a Bin then 'someone else' can take it out again- This is another classic example of where 'we all used to do it' 'Customers expect it' and the rest........, Royal Mail operate under the Postal Services Act and the wishes of OFCOM. Only the other month was at someone's door filling out a P739 and up pops the 'competition' in his own car. Left car running with upteen packets on front seat and in rear, pushed me out of the way, scanned the item and dropped it in the customers recycling bin......all of these actions could result in your dismissal from Royal Mail. This is what the Union mean by Unfair competition because we are held to a far stricter standard, this can help when we are attempting to secure business ie 'Most secure' but is infuriating when we're told what the competitions First Time 'Delivery' figures are.

In short no, even if the 'Safeplace' instruction says so.......had one the other day 'throw over garden gate' marked 'Fragile'!

[POSTMAN]

[wannabeek]

I have some very distant deep rurals where I do hide packets but in places where it's obvious that if a crook were to get in and make off with anything, it wouldn't be the old ebay toot I leave there in a RM packet, it would more likely be the unsecured chainsaw /gas bbq/ vintage Daimler / stuffed leopard in the garage (seen one of them!), that's also lying about.

I wouldn't expect a new starter to do anything but cover their backside, i.e. do everything by the book, no 'safeplaces'.

[toomuchcoke]

Official line, please?

We had a DOM tell us that "Getting rid of tracked items was more important than the security of the mail"!

Like others have said in deepest darkest rural parts there are customers where I will leave parcels in a particular place if they're out, but that's on places like farms where it's a 2-3 minute drive just to get to the public highway. Wouldn't leave things in a bins/recycling bins under any circumstances ... (Though I do remember a delivery point where their letter box was a plastic bucket in a hole in the ground, with a plank over the top and with a brick on top of that to stop the wind blowing it away!)

[edo4442]

I had a world class mail guy tell me to follow any instructions for safeplace, as it will be held on the system for proof.

And, hey dont you know, when I quizzed him at work time lying on it, he denied all knowledge, and said its your decision.

In short, its all bullshit, dont believe a word anybody says, follow the rule book, leave nowhere, but the neighbour, as when it gets pinched RM will sack you no matter what.

Anything, that contradicts the rule book, ask for it in writing, and if not forthcoming, then thats your answer, dont do it, unless you have it in black and white, to enable you to save your job, when they they try to sack you, for doorstepping ...

[dave72]

I never leave them in bins, under door mats, in playhouses or such. If they can't be bothered to be in for it they can come and collect it from the post office the next day

[kiltwalker]

Ever known a postie to sign the name of the customer on the PDA, and then leave the parcel somewhere?

[POSTMAN]

Ever known a postie to sign the name of the customer on the PDA, and then leave the parcel somewhere?

Yes, he's in here somewhere ...