Another Royal Mail 'Sorry, we missed you' card
Over the last year or so I have become increasingly frustrated with our local postman. I regularly take days off to receive deliveries which don't come and then miraculously I notice the 'Sorry, we missed you' card has been put through the letter box with no attempt whatsoever to deliver the parcel. This has happened a few times and a few weeks ago I even saw the little cretin walking down the road putting the slips in houses, clearly making no attempt to make the delivery.
... doesn't have the time to ring the doorbell
He obviously doesn't have the time to ring the doorbell, yet somehow always has the time to knock back a few drinks at the the local pub. On more than one occasion I've seen him sitting at the bar so intoxicated he can barely speak. I've even seen him get up and go to the toilet whilst leaving a back containing letters and packages on the floor. As far as the postal service goes seeing this kind of thing happening doesn't exactly instill much faith.
I have another gripe with Royal Mail regarding parcels. I regularly have items delivered via 24 hour express post. The parcels don't turn up on the due date of arrival, so I pop into the local post office the following day and after a bit of hassle finally get the parcel. Then low and behold, later that day the 'Sorry, we missed you' card appears out of nowhere. This is not an isolated incident and I do wonder if something underhanded is going on. Perhaps someone thinks that I won't go and pick up the parcel so they can just help themselves to its contents - who knows? I cannot think of any other reason why the card would appear after I've picked the parcel up. Maybe I'm just cynical!
I have noticed increasingly poor levels of Service from Royal Mail recently and have lodged complaints via the website, all of which seem to fall on deaf ears as I never get a response. I don't really see what option I have left really. If I confront the postman about this, do you think the chances of me getting my parcels on time would improve? I think not.
By: Steve L
Comments from visitors
usually my postman is really good and its always the same postman and they always ring the bell and knock but im currently waiting on 2 separate items supposed to be dispatched on the 2nd as it could be delivered on bank holiday monday and here i am 2 days later wondering if the idiots have lost it or just cant be bothered. the stories here arent encouraging and will make sure our postman nos if he does something like that he'll be fired within the week.
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Soraking007 - 4-Apr-13 15:55
No surprise at all. I heard someone dropped something through the letter box and I found it was a note about the delivery. I rushed out and luckily I just saw the van about to leave. The man obviously just prepared the note in the van and cannot be bothered to knock the door and wait.
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Wez - 19-Feb-13 12:15
Just had the dreaded "something for you" card through the door, third time in about 6 weeks , every time we were home and no attempt to ring the bell. This morning's one was at 7;30, it must be a policy of the managers to do this otherwise the postmen would surely be getting reprimanded all the time and sacked eventually.The public need to be told if this IS a deliberate policy because it really stinks!!
+3
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Gordon BrownArse - 20-Dec-12 07:56
my postman came to my front door waited a second then went back to van, did not ring bell then takes my parcels to a neighbour, don't ask me which one as no card left , I am unable to get hold of my neighbour as gone away. this has taken me two weeks to find this information out. As one was tracked and says been delivered. lucky I have cctv so have evidence no parcels delivered to me. all customer services tell you is go to sorting office and check with them. royal mail are rubbish.
+4
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nicky - 9-Dec-12 11:35
How about when they cant even be bothered to put a red card through. Last week I had to make a trip to our local sorting office to see what was holding up my mail. I was waiting for 6 small packages for my business. The member of staff went out the back to look for them and came back with 5 of them tied together with an elastic band. The postman had written that he had been unable to get them through the letter box and so had left a red card. Firstly he had not left any such card and secondly each parcel was no wider than 2cm each. But this postie did not have the nonce to take the elastic band off of them and post them individually!!! The member of staff said to me that in her 20 years of service she had not seen anything so ridiculous. And she actually let me have them without producing a red card. Yesterday I went back again to the sorting office to see if parcel number 6 had turned up. After searching everywhere they found it. Again there was a note on it saying another red card had been put through our door. Again this was a blatant lie - no card whatsoever had been put through our door. But this time they would not let me have my mail (even with id) because I could not produce a red card. What the hell could I do. I had to wait for today to get my parcel delivered - luckily it did get here but two weeks late and I would not have been surprised if we had had to go through the same rigmarole all over again. Cheeeeez.
+8
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Willsmum - 10-Oct-12 17:35
Best thing to do is make a police enquiry, postman stealing post,and as for leaving post out in the open unattended thats mis conduct, one photo and a police enquiry and vaa la u got then runing around like dogs
+7
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A - 5-Jul-12 11:07
postmen these days are terrible! my front door opens into my living room and since i am always home as i work here, i dont get how they can say they have knocked and i wasnt home when the settee is within touching distance of the door and i would most defiantley know. the amount of times i have opened the door as they are leaving my gate and asked where parcel is, to be told they dont have it is unbelievable. why say i'm not in when i am? why not just say, cant be bothered to deliver it, pick it up tomorrow!!! the best one was i had a card saying the item was to big for letter box, went to collect it, and it was a phone case, in a tiny little brown envelope! yet i have known them to push clothes through it. somethings definately slacking with RM these days
+3
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shreks_fiona - 17-May-12 16:19
Just had the dreaded red card through my letter box. Sorry we missed you at 10:00am. Card found on door mat at 10:20am. Car parked on drive. 2 people in house. No door bell rung. The postman just seems to not care and just wants to do his round as quick as possible. This happens on a regular basis and just goes to show that the once great Royal Mail service is now a shadow of it's former self. I've spent more time at the local delivery office than some of the postmen, last week they even lost a recorded delivery package which they must of had because I'd had the Red card again, I was told they'd contact me when they found the package, the next day yet another Red card for a different package so after 24 hours I go to the local delivery office for the latest package and then spot the lost package sat on a table behind the counter. We may as well all have PO boxes. Delivery is just a waste of time. Junk mail gets delivered but everything else you have to go and collect. Royal Mail are about as much use as a chocolate radiator. If we had the option not to use them I think I'd opt out and look for a service that could deliver on it's promises.
+11
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Ragged Off - 30-Apr-12 11:09
I had a card put through my door this morning 'Something for you' when I was actually home and did not hear a knock on my door. I ran to the door and the postman had vanished in the thin air. I live in a block of flat with a lift which is 20 steps away from my door. The interesting thing I noticed is that card is dated yesterday afternoon. Lets accept that the date and time is correct. I was having work done in the flat and the carpenter brought me my post lol. How can I be not home when there is work going on in my flat. This is not an uncommon practise by the postmen in Glasgow from what I have heard from friends. To find how to complaint on royalmail's website is not an easy job. Once you have complaint via online form, they will respond in 3 working days.
The reason why he didn't bother to bring me my package to the door is that it is a microwave which he will need to carry to the main entrance, come up on the lift and walk 20 steps to my front door. I have requested a redelivery. I am not gonna let this one go. I am expecting this incident to be investigated and I will make sure they know who they are dealing with, should the result is not to my satisfaction.
The reason why he didn't bother to bring me my package to the door is that it is a microwave which he will need to carry to the main entrance, come up on the lift and walk 20 steps to my front door. I have requested a redelivery. I am not gonna let this one go. I am expecting this incident to be investigated and I will make sure they know who they are dealing with, should the result is not to my satisfaction.
+4
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Max - 11-Apr-12 15:04
Well today I came home to find the worse royal mail service in history - my package from amazon which fits through the door was actually left in an unlocked, shared garden.
On top of that, the paper note is a stupid tag looking like a paper tag which one would attach to an object being sold in a garage sale - literally a piece of paper!!
The package was found to have been opened and thrown on the floor - contents stolen.
All this for a package which would fit through the door.
I ask myself if it is illegal and a crime to be stupid beyond comprehension - if it would be, then royal mail is placing their customers trust in the hands of criminals. And now if you will excuse me, I have some screaming to do on the phone.
On top of that, the paper note is a stupid tag looking like a paper tag which one would attach to an object being sold in a garage sale - literally a piece of paper!!
The package was found to have been opened and thrown on the floor - contents stolen.
All this for a package which would fit through the door.
I ask myself if it is illegal and a crime to be stupid beyond comprehension - if it would be, then royal mail is placing their customers trust in the hands of criminals. And now if you will excuse me, I have some screaming to do on the phone.
+4
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Francisco - 15-Mar-12 22:14
You wouldn't have the initials KH by any chance would you?
-3
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Freddie - 14-Feb-12 21:49
I have received shoddy service as I run a small jewellery website business and the last few weeks two items have gone missing,one in the uk which I posted recorded delivery and the other usa sent airmail.As these were not very high value items I could not put the cost of signed for special delivery onto the customer as they will not pay it on a small item.Compensation? that is a laugh as they do not compensate for jewellery even under recorded delivery.So I have had to refund the money to the customers and put up with two items of stock without payment.We have now lost our local post office,so it is a trek to the town about a 30 minute walk and then the queue is always so long on average I am ther for 20-30mins as there are only ever 3/4 servers on the counters although there are 14 positions!! What can I do??
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vintage lady - 14-Feb-12 13:22
I too get a mixture. If the postman has a brain, he leaves the parcel round the back undercover (this is good). If he doesn't have a brain he leaves it out the front in the rain or cunningly concealed in a recycling box where it can take a week to find it. The ones I really hate are the ones who don't ring the bell, but just card you, which has increased in frequency. Our local sorting office is 15 miles away, so I get it redelivered to the Post Office where I pay an eyewatering 1.50 per item to retrieve MY property several days late - how the Royal Mail aren't making a big fat profit I cannot understand.
DHL are just as bad.
DHL are just as bad.
-1
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Kate - 7-Nov-11 14:05
I think in this instance you are legally entitled to tear him a new @rse!
+1
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don - 26-Oct-11 13:04
Well here's a completely different complaint about Royal Mail & our local postie! We have a load of Halloween decorations from America, to include a clear plastic sheet that hangs over our front door with the words "Keep Out!" painted on it which is supposed to look like blood. hehe! Because it's American it does not have a hole for the British Mail boxes so the mailbox is obstructed. Well our usual postie was cool with it and agreed to knock just for this week leading up to Halloween and Im usually right there anyway and see him coming. However...we had a different guy today who decided to just tear our decoration up and shove the mail through!!! LOL! Completely destroyed our property and when I chased after him he told me he was LEGALLY required to deliver our mail. I wonder if he is LEGALLY required to destroy our personal property to deliver the mail though? If our mailbox was obstructed from the inside, would he bash our door down to deliver I wonder??? Argh! There always has to be some miserable git to dampen the fun huh? Absolute idiot! And the trick or treaters arent even due til next week. I have filed a complaint anyways....just venting as am still fuming. ;o)
+6
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GUTTED - 25-Oct-11 20:14
UGH Just having the worst time ever with Royal Mail! Was waiting on a parcel on Friday, checked downstairs at 11am. No sign. Check again at 12 and the infamous "Sorry we missed you card" was sitting through my letterbox. I wouldn't have made myself available that morning if you weren't going to buzz my flat! I'm not psychic!
Angrily complained to RM who assured me I wouldn't have to wait a further 48 hours and they would make sure it is at my Delivery Office on Saturday, details of the address and opening hours on the card. Brilliant. Arrive at the D.O. and its closed. Opening hours on the back of the card completely incorrect. An afternoon walking there and back (its quite a trek!) wasted. Not even a way to find out the hours on the website so the card was all I had to go by. Another irate complaint due tomorrow I think! Their customer service is a shambles.
Angrily complained to RM who assured me I wouldn't have to wait a further 48 hours and they would make sure it is at my Delivery Office on Saturday, details of the address and opening hours on the card. Brilliant. Arrive at the D.O. and its closed. Opening hours on the back of the card completely incorrect. An afternoon walking there and back (its quite a trek!) wasted. Not even a way to find out the hours on the website so the card was all I had to go by. Another irate complaint due tomorrow I think! Their customer service is a shambles.
+8
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Chloe - 15-Oct-11 23:54
I am so glad I came across this website. I have had this problem twice (where I am home the entire day and never hear the buzzer but somehow a 'Sorry we missed you card' appears in my letter box). I've even been told off when I pick up my parcel from the main office that I wasn't there when I rescheduled my delivery online. Luckily, I know I was there the entire day -- I write and record EVERYTHING in my planner.
Is there no accountability for the postal service? I know isn't the case with every postal employee but it seems to be happening enough to cause real issue. Like any business, you pay for a service and if that service fails on a very explicit part (eg. specific delivery of the goods), then there should be legal consequences. Unfortunately, I don't think complaining works. I think I may start looking into this a little closer. It's clearly beyond poor customer service.
Is there no accountability for the postal service? I know isn't the case with every postal employee but it seems to be happening enough to cause real issue. Like any business, you pay for a service and if that service fails on a very explicit part (eg. specific delivery of the goods), then there should be legal consequences. Unfortunately, I don't think complaining works. I think I may start looking into this a little closer. It's clearly beyond poor customer service.
+6
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legal beagle - 4-Oct-11 21:37
Had this problem aswell now I won't go to collect it myself I have them redeliver it I paid for delivery so that's what I want.
+10
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Bob - 7-Sep-11 12:08
Had similar issues with the RM. "you weren't in cards" when I was in (work from home). Twice I've caught the postie walking up the path to the house with a "you weren't in card" in his hand and when I asked for the parcel I was told that "it wasn't on the van". It's really does take the proverbial.
A new trick that the postie has learnt is for the him/her to sign for the parcel his/herself and leave the Item in the garden or on the door step. Not great if it rains.
A new trick that the postie has learnt is for the him/her to sign for the parcel his/herself and leave the Item in the garden or on the door step. Not great if it rains.
-6
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maddog - 12-May-11 11:25
royal mail dont do 24hour express post.if you used their similar service you would know its called
recorded special delivery before 1.00pm.
you have seen your postman drunk drinking whilst working?
why would a postman deliver a card inviting you to pick up a packet he doesnt have.
if the cretins intend to steal the contents better that they dont red card you surly?
recorded special delivery before 1.00pm.
you have seen your postman drunk drinking whilst working?
why would a postman deliver a card inviting you to pick up a packet he doesnt have.
if the cretins intend to steal the contents better that they dont red card you surly?
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chunk - 7-May-11 21:00
