There was a queue like an execution at the Post Office this morning. Waiting in queues at the Post Office is becoming a common occurrence for me, especially since the local sub-Post Office closed.
I know I'm sad but I did a count up: 18 people in front of me; alternatively 3 or 4 service points (out of a possible 7) open; and, a wait of 8 minutes 6 seconds before I got to a 'hatch'.
This monopoly provider has many transaction types to deal with and, as I was sagely informed by the elderly lady behind me, Tuesday is pension day (evidently). Moreover, it was a day after a Bank Holiday. Well if she knows that, then why doesn't the Post Office management and do something about it? Is it because they don't have to compete with operators who can check passports (other than paying a large fee to the Passport Office to do this), road tax renewed and places to get the postage sorted on anything other than a letter?
Then Post Office personnel try to up sell a guaranteed next day delivery for about £5 rather than just sending my parcel first class - in my case £2.12 - which I thought guaranteed that anyway.
I think the Post Office is trying to be a retailer but they have some way to go. The trouble is many people don't have anywhere else to go: that's the difference.
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The USPS have found a way to bring the post to the people; they've just installed booths in Target, along with. I don't know if you know the self-service machine in Manchester City Centre as you only mention the local post office in the post but that machine is very easy to use (could almost say intuitive, perhaps with a bit more work) and it takes coins and cards after £2 which isn't too bad.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can imagine people stuck while using it, reason why there's someone to greet you and eventually take you through the process if you don't nail it the first time round. The problems arise with things like "is this a heavy (heavier) letter or a parcel if it weighs n+1 grams?" - although I doubt it matters on the way.
More about it over here:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/USPS.Teams.Target.2.1532447.html