Use own car to deliver mail or deliver in the dark?

[CHUCKYPIG]

That's basically the choice some of us have to make.

What would you choose?

I found delivering in the dark to be pretty s**t especially being chucked on walks I don't know. Shining torches to try and find house names or numbers slowed me down massively. And it got depressing when it got dark and I still had 6 sacks of mail and a whole van of packets to deliver. So I decided I would use my own car to deliver the mail in the morning and then return in the afternoon to get a van when they became free to do the packets then.

Its easy for the full timers who always start early to critisise us for doing this. But then they don't have to start at 1/2pm and deliver in the dark do they. And no we do not have a start time in our contract.

And no the unions are not on our side. They never are on the side of the part time reserves.

So we have to make that choice.

Of the part time reserves in our DO. Some of us are using our own cars to avoid working in the dark. Some are just using torches. And some have managed to blag their way to getting a van early.

[weary_posty]

You could always just work your hours

You’re paid to deliver not manage the workload. Let the chap that drinks coffee all morning worry about that

[iHateD2Ds]

I would wait for a van ,deliver only letters until dark then go round and do the packets , head back and finish on time.
Get a decent led torch. I would not use the car for obvious reasons unless RM still cover you.

[EdRush]

I'd look into delivery driver car insurance, keep all the documents and paperwork, and then invoice Royal Mail all the expenses, including milage

[HTPostman]

I’ve been in the same situation working in the dark or having to compete with collections drivers for a van at 1.30pm!

But I’d never use my car. I strongly advise you don’t do it. If ever we become quiet again management will start shunting you off to other offices (if you don’t use your car, you simply ask for a van and then they pick on someone else).

Personally, I’d keep tracked separate, do as many bags as I can while still light then when it gets dark it’s tracked parcel time. Before you tie up/head out pull all the tracked to one side especially the small ones in the frame - pull them out of the frame otherwise you’ll have to go through your bags as it gets dark.

[steve1873]

You are carrying mail in your private vehicle?

[wallan]

Dont use your car , leave it at home , up to RM to sort you out transport

[hothothot]

It's down to royal mail to provide you with the equipment to deliver your walk, if they don't provide you with a van just stand around drinking coffee until they do. Do not start early , use trolleys, have your full break , check van before you take it out , if you can't finish on time tell them before you go out. Remember once all of you have left the sorting office management sit around drinking coffee eating crosiants then go into town Christmas shopping. Don't panic , don't stress you self out , don't rush around like a mad thing. Always remember management do piss all.

[panzer4]

Why are you taking the risk of using your own car if you have an accident or your car gets vandalised RM won’t give a toss part timers are treated like s**t so don’t do any favours for them

[2yearpostie]

When i mentioned this in the summer i was 'just a scaremonger'

[mags999]

we used are own cars years ago what the hell is everybody getting narked about it if it stops you from getting messed about then do it it means less stress then that's got to be a good thing at the minute do whats best for you

[TheoF95]

Do whats best for you just keep your head down and get on with it. Asking for peoples opinions on using your car on delivery is a touchy subject its best to just crack on.

[bishopoflove]

Using your own car on delivery ARE you bonkers ?, let RM provide the transport, 2 things never change, start time, finish time, what goes on in between is easy, never let these managers force you into using your car, would your manager come out and help you if you had a breakdown or had an accident, no chance your on your own.

[SpacePhoenix]

Using your own car on delivery ARE you bonkers ?, let RM provide the transport, 2 things never change, start time, finish time, what goes on in between is easy, never let these managers force you into using your car, would your manager come out and help you if you had a breakdown or had an accident, no chance your on your own.

I wouldn't be surprised in some newer starts have something buried in their contract that would allow RM to move them to afternoon deliveries

[mrcurve]

Your car and the goods - (customers property) would not be insured, think it would go beyond the business covers and fall into commercial cover