Failed a special :(

mattandbenny · Post by **mattandbenny** » 26 Jan 2019, 15:10

So long story short today i failed a special - a special letter had gone behind a notice left letter and i didnt spot it until 13:20, so i failed with it. Similar thing happened a few months ago where we got a special failure and i got a severe warning for it (technically ‘coaching’ i think). Couldnt believe it today as i have been being so careful. Anyway, i just wondered what i can expect to happen now - what my punishment will be etc.

Tinoblade · Post by **Tinoblade** » 26 Jan 2019, 15:18

mattandbenny wrote:So long story short today i failed a special - a special letter had gone behind a notice left letter and i didnt spot it until 13:20, so i failed with it. Similar thing happened a few months ago where we got a special failure and i got a severe warning for it (technically ‘coaching’ i think). Couldnt believe it today as i have been being so careful. Anyway, i just wondered what i can expect to happen now - what my punishment will be etc.

Don’t think anyone can you a definitive answer on exactly what the punishment will be. My advice would be dont torture yourself about it this weekend. Try and switch off and see what happens Monday morning

Your late today · Post by **Your late today** » 26 Jan 2019, 15:52

Was it a Saturday paid for special or a normal special if normal it shouldn’t be to much of a problem.

nickinoneck · Post by **nickinoneck** » 26 Jan 2019, 16:14

Unless it was a Saturday guaranteed I.e. had a yellow SG sticker on then it doesn’t have to be delivered by 1 o clock on a Saturday. Don’t panic.

mattandbenny · Post by **mattandbenny** » 26 Jan 2019, 16:56

Regular silver label special. So they are not time sensative?

trix138 · Post by **trix138** » 26 Jan 2019, 17:04

I had heard that if it doesn't have a SG sticker on it, it doesn't even have to be delivered on a Saturday

Post by **greengiant** » 26 Jan 2019, 17:06

Difficult, I know, but try not to worry.

I've known posties *lose* specials, and all they end up with was a slap on the wrist through getting coached. It is always a good idea to keep specials separate in the back of the van (e.g. in a tray), and keep a note of them in the dashboard. If they have been put into the frame, then there's a chance they could get missed, or posted through with letters for the same address by mistake.

What I would suggest though, is if you do end up getting coached / conducted, is admit the mistake, and say what steps you'll do to avoid it happening again, e.g. keep a list of the specials, marking all the 1pm ones, and keeping them separate in the back of the van etc.

Good luck.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 26 Jan 2019, 17:12

In the bigger picture of things happening with failed deliveries,lapsing,loaning on a daily basis,these things happen,bosses no doubt will make you feel bad about it,they are far from perfect in there fraudulent manipulation of figures and reports,so take it on the chin depending on how and if they want to make something of it,

Justanotherstar · Post by **Justanotherstar** » 26 Jan 2019, 17:29

No SG sticker means 1pm Monday...Chill winstan

streets97 · Post by **streets97** » 26 Jan 2019, 19:44

As a few have said before, specials are not guaranteed on a Saturday unless the sender pays extra for a Saturday delivery and this should have the yellow SG stickers on the item.

MAILMAN84 · Post by **MAILMAN84** » 27 Jan 2019, 13:13

They say they're guaranteed on Saturday but from past experience (I've missed a lot of specials so don't stress) that Saturdays don't flag up on the system if ur after 1.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 27 Jan 2019, 18:03

I'm fairly certain whichever day you deliver a 9am or 1pm SD that if you deliver it late the sender is automatically refunded the postage and is also entitled to compensation. Even if a SG sticker hasn't been affixed or the sender hasn't paid the additional fee if an SD goes through the system and is allocated for you to deliver it has to be completed to spec.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 27 Jan 2019, 21:44

Celgar wrote:I'm fairly certain whichever day you deliver a 9am or 1pm SD that if you deliver it late the sender is automatically refunded the postage and is also entitled to compensation. Even if a SG sticker hasn't been affixed or the sender hasn't paid the additional fee if an SD goes through the system and is allocated for you to deliver it has to be completed to spec.

AFAIK EVERY special has to be attempted on a Saturday, even if it doesn't have a SG sticker. Think it's something to do with Saturday retentions, not attempting them gets classed as offering Saturday retentions for free when some people/firms pay for Saturday retentions

steve1873 · Post by **steve1873** » 29 Jan 2019, 10:50

You say you are being extra careful, but are you boxing the Specials in to the frame?

The best practice is to keep all Specials isolated in a tray of their own and write down where they are all for. That way you can plan out which ones are going to potentially cause an issue with the 1pm deadline and re-route to take that in to account.

It seems like a bit of faffing about, but it's worth it to avoid situations like this!

masterblaster · Post by **masterblaster** » 29 Jan 2019, 13:11

I delivered 4 or 5 SD's after 1pm at christmas, (like what do you want me to do, deliver everything in order; cut-off to do SD's and bring stuff back; 6 D2D's and no mail)? never heard a dickie bird