Answering Your Questions on Australia Post

L[Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 07:12
Last edited 19/10/2014 - 09:51 by 1 other user

Hello, long time reader first time member. A pet peeve of mine is front line staff of a business being abused/blamed for management decisions or company policy. Eg. Checkout operators for the quality of the vegetables, receptionists for the waiting time, nurses for the health system. The list goes on.

I work for Australia Post in various departments and roles over the years and after reading misinformed and incorrect 'theories' in the other threads, I thought I'd offer to answer any questions you might have about how things work, procedures etc if I can.

Some fun facts for you to start :-)

There are AP employees and there are contractors. Neither are distinguishable by their vehicle. Employees can be in cars, contractors can be on motorcycles.

Nationwide on average: a motorbike/bicycle postie is hit by a car weekly. Most commonly in driveways. And dog bites are daily (they really don't like the bike!)

At the end of delivery, most posties are required to return to their distribution centre, some are required to go home rather than return back there. If this is the case, any mail they have is taken to the post office. No mail is allowed to be taken home. At all. Ever.

AP employee posties are on a time schedule. They are given a time to finish their run by each day. If they go over time that are asked to explain why. If they are rushing and make mistake/have accident they are asked to explain why. If they finish significantly earlier than the time given they are asked to explain why.

So, ask away… I'll answer what I can. Could be interesting if other people start a thread also about faq's for their job or company too

General Discussion

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closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 07:18
    +29

    Oh and some complaints I handled when working in that department:
    Mail wet when it raining.
    Posted a letter, now I want it back. Can you find it? It's in a white envelope.
    My mail is usually delivered at 11am but yesterday it was delivered at 4pm. Why?

    Oh and Using a property name instead of a number!! There is no regulations on what you name your house. Want to get your mail addressed to "windy meadows"? 50 other people in your suburb can call their property "windy meadows" as well if they choose!

    • bargdebarg on 20/10/2014 - 07:20
      +5

      Yeah my mail was wet once, but was only a sweepstakes so I decided not to lodge a complaint…

  • eatwell365 on 19/10/2014 - 07:39
    +13

    Is there Santa Claus?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 07:53
      +39

      Of course.

      S. Claus
      North Pole 9999

  • Hotpotcorn on 19/10/2014 - 08:04

    express post-shipped sunday 8am, i live 3116. guaranteed next day?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 08:21
      +16

      Depends where it is being delivered TO.
      Sunday is not a business day.

    • zelda707 on 19/10/2014 - 09:55
      +2

      You need to check the express post network, it depends on where its sent to

  • mskeggs on 19/10/2014 - 08:41
    +1

    Can you explain the terminal dues system so we can better understand who pays what component of international post from China?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 09:46
      +5

      I cant help with this sorry. China is too complicated for my understanding. All I know is that mail addressed to Taiwan is delivered via US or Japan because of something to do with not being a representative of china. As far as costs go, no sorry I don't know.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2014 - 11:09
      +1

      I can understand why but I can't come to terms that china to aus > aus to aus, much less aus to china.

  • cst on 19/10/2014 - 08:50

    How much are contractors paid to deliver each parcel?

    What is the policy on delivering parcels to units/apartment blocks?

    Why is the reply to numerous official complaints "we have investigated and spoken to the driver" yet nothing changes.

    Thanks for the opportunity to ask.

    • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 13:49
      +4

      how much are contractors paid to deliver each parcel?

      a principal contractor (let's call them pc) is paid based on their contract with ap. an example is $1.60 per mail article that is taken out each day. 2000 mail articles per day is a common number from tuesday to friday. mondays can add 25% to 40% to that.

      a pdo (a.k.a sub-contractor, mail contractor) can get anything from $1.00 to $1.20. there are pdo that get less than $1.00 and others that get more than $1.20, but that is not the norm.

      what is the policy on delivering parcels to units/apartment blocks?

      pdo are required to attempt delivery to units (see below for reasons for not attempting delivery). however, they're not required to enter building to attempt delivery.

      a few reasons why pdo don't enter a building to attempt delivery.

      • whs laws. whs legislation requires that employers provide a safe work environment for their employees. neither ap or the pc can guarantee this at each and every build that the pdo may enter on their runs. neither ap or the pc can force the pdo to enter a building as that could leave them liable for any personal injuries or property damage if it should happen.

      • public liability insurance. many pdo that are employed by principal contractors don't have or don't realise that they must have public liability insurance. accidents while driving is covered by ctp and/or cci. accidents while not in a vehicle and on public property isn't. reducing time on private property also reduces risk to personal injuries and property damage.

      • time constraints. pdo can start to scan from 0700 until the lpo/post shop closes (1700). any articles left on the scanner after 1730 will be logged as a fail and will go on their daily kpi. 98% and above is the target kpi. carding units is a much better and preferred method of time management than reporting carry-overs (leftover articles on the scanner). pdo won't or is unlikely to get suspended for carding. ap and the pc will look the other away if a plausible explanation is provided for carding. keeping the kpi above 98% is more important for ap and the pc. pdo is more likely to get replaced if it drops below 98% on a regular bases.

      why is the reply to numerous official complaints "we have investigated and spoken to the driver" yet nothing changes.

      see point above.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 09:41
    +1

    How much are contractors paid to deliver each parcel?

    It varies from contract to contract as they are a tender process

    What is the policy on delivering parcels to units/apartment blocks?

    Its been a long time since my days so I could be very wrong but I understand contractors should attempt delivery but posties are unable to secure the mail on their bike so cant leave it unattended. But i think unit blocks, such as high rise are a no go for entering.

    Why is the reply to numerous official complaints "we have investigated and spoken to the driver" yet nothing changes.

    Because if you are talking to a call centre operator what are they supposed to say? They'll go and look for it personally? They are just passing on what answer they were given.
    And as far as nothing changes, I have to agree! But this is a management failure, they sit in their office while the front line staff cop the abuse and allegations by customers.
    I once had a man bring mail back regularly for an address that wasn't his. He made several complaints to the distribution centre manager. It kept happening. The manager wasn't informing the postie of his mistake (postie believed the address was correct, confusing numbering, didn't know he was wrong). Manager didn't pass complaints on to postie. Customer understandably got sick of it, ended up abusing the postie one day. Wasn't even his regular postie doing it that day.
    Best bet if its an incorrect delivery issue complaint: talk directly to deliverer.
    If its a "missing" article complaint: customer call centre.

  • buzymum20 on 19/10/2014 - 10:11

    What's the delay in delivering letters? Posted say eight letters last year from Geelong main post office, postcode 3220 to various addresses (wedding invitations). Three were going to the same address, postcode 3215 and it took over two weeks to get there. Caused awful fight in the family- 'we weren't invited to the wedding'. Posted another lot of invitations to them, only to have the originals delivered the day after the replacements arrived! Only these local invites went astray. Of course all were correctly and clearly addressed- address labels from printer so no excuse there.
    Honestly, could have walked them there and back quicker.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 12:24
      +2

      Local mail is irrelevant to a small extent. For example you could be sending a letter to your next door neighbour. When it is collected from the posting box it is sent to a letter sorting facility. There are only a handful of these across the country so it could travel for 6 hours before it is sorted to its destination postcode and then sent on its way back there.

      Of course all were correctly and clearly addressed

      Lol. Of course they were. Peoples opinion on what the address is can vary greatly to Australia Post's. Australia Post get there addressing information from the council.
      Also letters are read by a machine and sorted into areas. If I machine cant read the envelope because it has fancy decorations on it and beads and badges stuck to it, then a person has to do it. Takes longer. But there is no reason it should take 2 weeks.

      Considering that 3 letters posted at the same time don't stay together for their journey, it sounds odd that all mail for the one address was delayed.

      • ronnknee on 19/10/2014 - 17:01

        Interesting, a machine sorts the letters.

      • buzymum20 on 19/10/2014 - 19:53

        Thanks for your reply, Faithless. Yes, we had no fancy bits, just standard business sized letter with the standard business size address labels on it and yes, Australia Post couldn't explain it either.

  • silverrat23 on 19/10/2014 - 10:36
    +19

    When I'm home at around midday for most days, I'd be waiting for a parcel (bigger than a shoebox) to be delivered - but instead, I get carded to pick it up at the Post Office.

    Is it cheaper to do so or is it laziness (or something)?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 10:40
      +12

      And also, when they do "try" and deliver, they knock/ring/buzz once, wait about 5 seconds for a response and then walk away.

      I've been right next to the front door once, heard the doorbell and opened it almost immediately and the Postie was already nearly gone.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 11:37
        +7

        I dont know why this would be the case as it takes a lot longer than 5 seconds to fill in the information on the scanner. Guess he is too impatient.
        Unless you are talking about an ordinary article/parcel that doesnt need a signature??? In that case leaving it at the front door is just because it doesnt fit in your letter box. They do one knock to let you know its there.
        If you have 100 complainers, 50 of them are complaining that a parcel was left at their door instead of at the post office, and 50 of them are complaining it was taken to the post office rather than left at the house.
        Everyone thinks they are right.

        • Gnostikos on 19/10/2014 - 17:55
          +15

          I receive on average about 50 parcels/packages of various dimensions a year; from tiny padded bags to A4 and A3-sized cardboard boxes, some with tracking, some require signatures on delivery, some don't (basically the full gammut of possible shipping options).

          I can tell you for a majority of these, that no delivery is ever attempted; sometimes I have been at home exactly when they rocked up, other times various other people in the house noticed them, in either case, the postie simply takes one look at the property, drops a card in the letter box and moves on.

          As didsburydan mentioned, if they do decide the brave the final frontier and actually go up to the front door, they often do the meekest, most mouse-like knock on your door and then bolt like their lives depended on it.

          I do understand that if there is a gate/fence, then some legal obligations require them to make sure that there is a reasonable expectation to have a "right to enter" (i.e. padlock means no; not that I have one), but these guys most of the time don't even bother knocking or making their presence known.

          I've also personally seen one guy (the same guy on multiple occasions) chuck parcels over my fence to the front door.

          We're not talking a casual slide across the front porch or a girly toss; a good few metres of airborne travel onto pavement. That's not good for delicate stuff.

          50 of them are complaining that a parcel was left at their door instead of at the post office,

          This I don't mind at all; it happens from time to time but the majority of deliveries, as I said, are a card-and-bail affair.

          It's just speculation, but I have a hunch that because they don't see any cars in the driveway at around the time deliveries are usually dropped off, they assume that the house is empty and so there's no point to knocking.

          I've noticed if there is a car present in the driveway, they're more inclined to knock.

        • ExpressCoffee on 20/10/2014 - 00:46
          +1

          @Amar89:

          This happens to me too!

          My driveway is an incline and they never take the time to go the the mailbox/door on their bike. There is always someone home at my premise but still no knock.

          Numerous complaints and still nothing has changed. Oh well.

        • thereyougo on 20/10/2014 - 08:08

          @Amar89: As an ex postie I can vouch for the strict time limits impossed on delivery. Posties returning late because they knocked on 20 doors out of their 400+ points to deliver a small parcel or registered mail that requires a signature only to face a ranting angry team leader isn't worth it. That's why it's quicker to card your item and do the round as quickly as possible, team leader happy, postie not getting yelled at, customer takes a walk to post office, all good!

        • [Deactivated] on 20/10/2014 - 11:23
          +1

          I can see how this happens and I don't blame the postie now. I've seen posties just chuck the card in and not attempt delivery. If I were a postie and wanted to finish my runs early/on time/on target. I would just keep all the parcels at the office, write out the cards before my run and just card every single parcel.

          I have given up with receiving my parcels at the door if it does not fit into the mail box. I just wait for the card. It is a extremely pleasant surprise if I do not have to make the trip to the post office. Its not that bad because there is one on my way to the work place.

          Maybe the KPIs should be more flexible and not give the same performance weightage to parcels compared to envelope/cards. But that would be unfair if people are genuinely not home (statistically more likely during work hours).

          I suppose it is more important to Auspost policy to delivery as many as possible overall than to make sure a few people per run get their parcels at the door.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 11:40

        This reminds me of something a postie said once. He was knocking at a house on the screen door. He could see clearly straight out into the back room a woman doing aerobics with music blasting. She couldn't hear him knocking. His fault???

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 11:35

      Cheaper for who?
      There are obviously instances, events and properties that cant be accessed to attempt delivery so they always get carded.
      If this isnt the case for you, and its happening regularly make a complaint. Obviously 50 complaints from 50 different people about being carded without delivery attempt against the same guy is going to prove there is a problem.
      Its one of the most common complaints.

  • spychiatrist on 19/10/2014 - 10:43

    Why do posties leave a "no one's home card" when clearly there's a car in the driveway? Happened to me 5 times at least for small parcels. Called AP but nothing's changed. I believe what's happening: postie would like to meet or exceed delivery quota so he prepares notifications instead of carrying items on his bike, and/or the contractor cuts costs by relying on bikes instead of using a car/truck.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 11:35
      +18

      How does a car being in the driveway mean somebody is home?
      I have no idea what you are talking about. There are no "delivery quotas".
      And …"prepares notifications instead of carrying items on his bike,…" no idea what this means…

      • spychiatrist on 19/10/2014 - 14:18

        Why would postie not knock on door then? A car means there's a big chance someone's at home. You know how frustrating it is to drive to Post due to some lazy postie not bothering to knock?

        • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 14:31
          +9

          Why would postie not knock on door then?

          they don't knock to reduce time per delivery attempt.

          A car means there's a big chance someone's at home.

          there is no statistics that supports the argument that a car in the driveway means a bigger chance that somebody is home. my pass experiences from years tells me that's neither for or against. a car in the driveway simply means that there is a car in the driveway.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 15:18
          +8

          You know the extra work it takes to scan an item, fill in the scanner, get out a card (if the previous user of bike didn't leave it empty) fill out card, carry the parcel around for the rest of the run, line up at a post office just before closing time, get the retail staff to get their scanner out, and transfer the article off your scanner onto theirs…

          … Posties get annoyed when you ARE'NT home. It just doesn't make sense that they wouldn't want to get the parcel delivered. I use to knock for ages, deliver the rest of the street and try again on the way back down.
          Maybe it's a different situation for the contractors as they aren't paid hourly.

          A car means nothing. Just like no cars in the driveway doesn't mean they shouldn't bother trying because there is "obviously nobody home"!

        • Ughhh on 19/10/2014 - 15:34

          Cars aren't like phones. Why wouldn't someone leave their car at home if they need to catch the bus, walk to the shops across the road, walk their dog etc.

        • retiredfeline on 19/10/2014 - 17:07
          +2

          I leave my car at home because it's absolutely insane to drive into the city on a working day.

  • rambutann on 19/10/2014 - 10:44

    I have a number of questions.

    Is it true LPOs only make around 23c for each parcel they handle (ie when they get carded and a customer comes in and has to pick it up)?

    What is the commission they make on bill payments?

    Is it true that they make more money on stamps than regular print out parcel stickers with the price paid on them? Also what is the commission on both of these?

    Has the parcel locker concept been in high demand/successful?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 11:50
      +1

      LPO's aren't run or owned by Australia Post. Hence the name LPO rather than PO. They make bugger all on postage, they are a shop. Usually a newsagent or corner store etc. They apply for a post licence to get extra customers through the door who will then buy their merchandise.

      I don't know the commissions. But it is cheaper for them if people used stamps instead of print out just because of less staff needed. Just like its cheaper if supermarkets use self service rather that "counter service".

      The parcels lockers are being rolled out in more and more places so I guess they must be being used. If people prefer them is more of a personal choice. Some people want their parcels left at their house. Some complain if this is done. Lockers are an alternative.

    • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 13:57

      Is it true LPOs only make around 23c for each parcel they handle (ie when they get carded and a customer comes in and has to pick it up)?

      see http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2188488&p… for more info. it was $0.21 the last time i checked. it may have changed.

  • King Tightarse on 19/10/2014 - 10:45
    +1

    Thanks for taking our "calls" Faithless.
    I have one for you:
    When a tracked parcel just disappear off the radar, what do you think is a most likely scenario?

    Last year I send a hard drive to Sydney. I watched the tracking at various points until "onboard with driver for delivery today", then nothing. No "delivered". It was a nice Seagate 1TB portable. Something small that every would want or could use. After a couple of days I called the customer service number who told me to wait until ten days had passed to lodge a lost mail complaint (too late IMHO as staff may remember yesterday but ten days for a single item?) anyway, hey presto ten days pass and it still isn't "delivered". I lodge a complaint. It gets "investigated" and nothing happens. Postie cant remember and apparently its no ones fault. Actually they tell me its my fault for not insuring it, which I think is dubious for a number of reasons.
    1/ its total cop out as they can pull that one out no matter how crappy the service "we lost it and cant explain, you should have insured against our incompetence/dishonesty"
    2/ The click and send service DID include $100 insurance but they quietly withdrew it with a terms and conditions change (what you didnt READ the masses of small font lawyer-speak, for shame!)
    3/ There seems to be no "duty of care". Australia post lost it whilst it was in their care and being tracked but handball the onus to insurance which adds another layer of cost to an expensive service.

    So what do you make of that?
    BTW I really don't think a lot of the contractor parcel system. Out local guys seem pretty slovenly/dubious. Based on their demeanor and disheveled look (old tracky daks) plus crappy old van I wouldn't trust them at all. They dont look like they are particularly trustworthy or being scrutinized for any standards. This is lowering my overall trust of Australia Post.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 12:08
      +3

      Well personally I don't believe its the full story particularly when comments like …"It was a nice Seagate 1TB portable. Something small that every would want or could use…" are made. BECAUSE why would you write on the satchel what is in it? Or maybe posties have a special ability to identify electronics by the scent?
      And …"they tell me its my fault " I don't believe anybody ever said that to you.

      Quite simply, if an item is a scannable item and the scanning procedure hasn't been completed with a "delivered" scan then it would still be on their scanner. Which is checked by the supervisor daily. I don't see how having insurance would matter if the tracking case hasn't been completed. The person delivering your parcels have no way of knowing if they are insured.

      Postie receives package for delivery. Sniffs it, establishes it is an electronic device he could use for himself. Scans it on his scanner to say he has it in his possession. Then steals it. Makes sense.

      • scrimshaw on 19/10/2014 - 12:30

        What about damaged parcels? How often does it happen and what is the procedure taken when a worker accidentally drops a box?

        Amazon has surprisingly a large number of goods get damaged (5 per worker) during handling according to this reddit AMA
        www.topiama.com/r/2578/i-work-for-amazon-at-one-of-their-lar…

        • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 12:43

          Happens with wine a fair bit. The worker passes it onto their manager. They contact the sender saying its damaged, company sends out a new order and claims with Post. As far as the satchel parcels they wouldn't know if what is inside is damaged. The process and machines that mail and parcels go through is not gentle.

        • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 14:04

          ap isn't a common carrier and as such doesn't provide a fragile service. it's the sole responsibility of the sender to ensure that their mail articles are packaged properly.
          http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/packaging-hints-and-tips.…

          any items of value should be shipped with insurance.

        • Azn310 on 19/10/2014 - 23:59

          @whooah1979: i know for a fact that if it is wine, AP guys do keep it separate from the rest, i.e. All wine in one place, so if it does leak, it wont affect other parcels. And they are handled with extra care.

      • King Tightarse on 19/10/2014 - 15:38
        +1

        "I don't believe its the full story"
        Sorry Faithless, but it is the exact full story. I did not write "Seagate 1TB portable" on the package (of course) I simple told that to you as part of the background for this example, IE it was a generally wanted small pocket-able item but the parcel itself was a standard click and send 500gramm satchel. The address was 100% correct I checked it many times.
        Really suprised by your answer, kind of smart arsed approach. I though you wanted to help and be constructive? Show us "behind the curtain" as it were. Some people are honest you know.
        The story I told is exactly as it happened. The scanning just stopped after "on board with driver". I instigated and investigation and after about a month all up it was no dice. They did offer the price of the postage back though.
        I was surpised that a driver could scan an item out, and when the item was not delivered nothing happened, no one appeared to be accountable and I lost the item.

        BTW I have had items not scanned as "delivered" before that were actually delivered. Perhaps sometime the drivers have trouble scanning a parcel with their hand-held units and just whack it in the mailbox?

        Oh and "sniffing" parcels WTF? I have had plenty of parcels and letters with a little flap ripped in them though. Could be an accident, could be for a peek - hard to say.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 16:20
          +9

          Really suprised by your answer, kind of smart arsed approach.

          Not kind of. That's exactly what it was.

          I though you wanted to help and be constructive?

          Exactly. Happy to tell of my experiences with it but im not going to bother with attitudes like this:

          Something small that every would want or could use…Actually they tell me its my fault… you should have insured against our incompetence/dishonesty"… Out local guys seem pretty slovenly/dubious. Based on their demeanor and disheveled look (old tracky daks) plus crappy old van I wouldn't trust them at all. They dont look like they are particularly trustworthy or being scrutinized for any standards.

          I actually DO believe your case. It sounds plausible. I don't know why you didn't fill out the form for lost article. They clearly had an item that doesn't have a complete track. You have a legitimate case. Its when you start adding in this ^ extra commentary that I lose interest.

          I have had plenty of parcels and letters with a little flap ripped in them though. Could be an accident, could be for a peek - hard to say.

          You obviously have it all sussed out so I wont bother you with info.

          Some people are honest you know.

          Not if they work for Australia Post apparently.

        • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 16:46

          I have had plenty of parcels and letters with a little flap ripped in them though.

          rips and tears in satchels and cardboard boxes are common as they are all hand sorted. most rips and tears happen when the article lands on the corners of the uld.
          http://agressorcorporation.com/images/mail_handling_slides/1… notice the spikes in each corners.

          Could be an accident, could be for a peek - hard to say.

          most pdo don't care what's inside the mail article. they also have no time to care. the only thing they do care about is wine. wine is messy and time consuming to clean up. everything else is fair game.

        • King Tightarse on 19/10/2014 - 16:47
          +1

          @Faithless:
          Faithless, I just told my story plain and true as I would tell it to anyone I met. No attitude or anything like that. Really. I am just sharing my exact experience and opinion. It just so happens my local parcel contractor IS slovenly and drives a crappy old van. I don't particularity care but it doesn't make me trust him compared to "full" Australia Post employees. The tracky daks dont help. Lol.
          If you don't want to answer mine that's OK, it doesn't matter, and yes I filled out a form for a lost article I did everything they asked me by the book and no, I didn't say an Australia Post person stole it. I consider that possible though I also consider it could have been delivered and not scanned off.
          I came to this thread with and told the story for your opinion - thought you might be able to add some good insider insight, but you seem so defensive of Australia Post and so disbelieving of my story, that you cant answer the actual points. You seem to have taken umbrage with the way I write and I didn't come here to argue, so if you don't want to answer, like I said, that's OK.

        • Gnostikos on 19/10/2014 - 18:11
          +7

          @Faithless:

          Its when you start adding in this ^ extra commentary that I lose interest.

          Says the guy who starts off his apologist diatribe thread with the cute remark: "after reading misinformed and incorrect 'theories' in the other threads".

          Yeah that definitely didn't make me think I was about to wade into 10 pages of excuses and hurt feelings.

          You obviously have it all sussed out so I wont bother you with info.

          As apparently, do you, so why in the flying fudge do we even need to hear you out as to your explanations on what you think happened, since everyone is wrong in your eyes?

          You expect people to give you a chance at transparency when every answer is a deflection or excuse for failure?
          "Blah, blah, blah, profit margins, blah, blah, blah, meet quotas, blah, blah, blah, tow the line."
          Maybe Baaa, baaa, baaa is more fitting here.

          Typical behaviour by those employed by large, faceless, nationals/multi-nationals.

          That hive mind, cognitive dissonance, group-think that tells them the outsiders are always wrong.

  • Scrooge McDuck on 19/10/2014 - 11:39
    +2

    Does anyone really need mail?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 12:10

      Especially not junk mail. Pain in the neck rubbish.

      • Gnostikos on 19/10/2014 - 18:15
        -5

        Good to see your enthusiasm for your work never waned. No wonder you guys are some of the most likeable civil servants, with chipper demeanours like yours.

        You have somewhat crystallised the expression "going postal" for me, I have to thank you for that.

    • jelko on 19/10/2014 - 14:20
      +6

      I'd like to cancel my mail
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hox-ni8geIw

  • Woodyg22 on 19/10/2014 - 13:01

    When can we have drones dropping off parcels like Amazon in the US?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 15:03
      +3

      Been and gone.
      Company Flirtey used them in Sydney CBD.

      …." The drone delivered my parcel into the harbour…"

  • punter1 on 19/10/2014 - 13:21

    Is it free to use the Parcel Locker ?

    How much is it to get a Private Bag ?

    Thanks

    • retiredfeline on 19/10/2014 - 13:38

      Parcel Locker is free.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 14:56

      Not sure about private bags as they are a different service but the cheapest size post office box is about $110 per year I think.

  • lplau on 19/10/2014 - 17:38

    I have had plenty of times when the postie doesn't leave a card to pick up a parcel from the post office, however when I track it, it says "Card Left", is there a reason for this? Is it because they are rushing and forgot about it?

    Before you say "its because the wind could have taken it away or somebody took it". I have a locked post box and it hasn't happened once, it has happened many times.

    Also, I live in a block of units with clearly numbered post boxes however they seem to randomly choose a post box to stick mail in sometimes.

    • scrimshaw on 19/10/2014 - 17:43

      Postie probably forgot to bring his stack of cards, or was in a hurry to fulfill his KPI targets that he forgot to write a card.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 18:30

      however when I track it, it says "Card Left", is there a reason for this?

      That's an automatic scanner result after scanning the parcel if "delivered" option wasn't selected.

      Before you say "its because the wind could have taken it away or somebody took it".

      I wasn't. Those excuses hold very little validity.

      Is it because they are rushing and forgot about it?

      Yes. Or they weren't organised and forgot to pack some in bike before heading out. But since you say its regularly then Its just them not following the correct procedure.

      randomly choose a post box to stick mail in

      Unlikely.
      Careless reading of address or accidently = more likely.

    • retiredfeline on 19/10/2014 - 19:34

      Yeah something similar happened to me. It was a Telstra SIM which I would have had to sign for. I was home all day and expecting the postie to ring the bell. Imagine my surprise when tracking showed card left. But there was no card. So either it was put in the wrong box or the postie didn't bring any cards along.

      The annoying thing was it was an item I was supposed to deliberately reject because Telstra's e-store (profanity) up and assigned me a SIM instead of a Defy+ phone. So I had to wait for the follow up card, deliberately ignore that so the goods would go back to sender, and much later Telstra refunded me.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 20:17
        +1

        Even more annoying: postie/contractor run covers two suburbs that each have a post office. They should card parcel to smith town for eg. but mistakenly use a card for jones town. Customer goes to jones town PO looking for parcel, it's not there. They then have to trudge over to smith town. That use to make me want to shake the guy, but at the same time I know it's easy to do when rushing. However there is no excuse for it to KEEP happening.

        • whooah1979 on 19/10/2014 - 20:30

          carding don't work the way most customers think. mail articles are carded to each lpo based on two things. a) the pdo that run that section (number) of the street. b) the pdo that runs that suburb.

  • BlazinPast on 19/10/2014 - 18:04

    Thanks for answering these questions!
    I've always been wondering about envelopes/padded bags. Say I wanted to post off a pack of cards, what's the cheapest postage option / prepaid envelope to get it done? I understand it needs to be less than 2cm to be sent. Does the same rule apply for padded bags if I wanted to post something thicker than 2cm I would I have to use a satchel?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 18:41
      +2

      Yeah up to 2cm just means it becomes a 'large letter' charge rather than 'standard letter'. If its a pack of playing cards you mean, don't send it in ordinary paper envelope because the contents are stronger/heavier than the packaging and it wont hold up going through the mail process. Probably best bet is to get the smallest 'tough bag' that will fit and just use postage stamps. Surely $1.40 stamp covers it… I don't think pack of playing cards would exceed the rule… (?)

    • retiredfeline on 19/10/2014 - 18:52
      +2

      If your friend doesn't mind, why don't you take the cards out of the cardboard box and splay them out in a larger envelope, and also flatten the box. I bet you can get it under 2 cm that way. Of course if the box is plastic, bad luck.

      • BlazinPast on 19/10/2014 - 20:18

        That's a good idea but it was actually just an example of a non-flexible item as opposed to documents.

  • Hellfire on 19/10/2014 - 18:44

    Interesting. I get to see things from the other side. While I don't work for post, I have around a dozen friends who either currently or previously worked there in middle management.

    I've listened to countless hours of stories. :-)

  • spychiatrist on 19/10/2014 - 18:55
    +4

    Pay contractors as cheap as AP can while the man at the top earns $5M, and his US counterpart only earns 10% of that. And they raised the costs of stamps/ postage as well. Now layoffs have been mentioned so how will the service improve then? No replies required. Especially, the "smart" kind

    • Gnostikos on 19/10/2014 - 19:02

      So in other words, you're Faithless when it comes to AP?

  • pongie on 19/10/2014 - 19:45

    I purchased a pakman parcel box in hope of having packages drop into these instead of being carded. Now I know the ones requiring a signature cannot be dropped off, but it seem like more parcels are being carded than dropped off. This defeats the whole purpose of having a parcel box. Is there something that can be done to make more parcels dropped off in the parcel box rather than being carded?

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 20:23

      Just tell your delivery guy how you prefer them left. If you can't get a chance to see him, tell the local distribution centre. As a personal preference I much preferred it when people told me where to leave items.

  • nickster9999 on 19/10/2014 - 19:58

    Question: Why are more and more Express Post items I send showing as "Delivered" when they aren't?

    Here's what I mean:

    • I post on say Monday to an address within the Express Post network. Lodge over the counter to get a lodgment scan.

    • Tuesday the tracking shows as delivered.

    • Customer calls me Tuesday to say "where is my order?" - I tell them it's delivered and they say "no it's not".

    • They call me Wednesday to say the postie delivered it on Wednesday.

    This is happening randomly to CBD business addresses and residential addresses.

    It has been increasing in frequency over the last few months.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 20:30

      No logical reason for this. If they scanned it delivered they obviously had it to scan. So should just deliver it. Even managers have to get out and deliver express when needed.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 20:31
    +4

    Just from reading this thread it seems AP is becoming more disorganised and unprofessional

    The fact that someone has to start a thread to defend this mob says a lot

    I really hope they don't steal, lose or damage any of my stuff and defend themselves with poor excuses

  • Roll Eyes on 19/10/2014 - 21:06

    if you don't like the company that's your choice but to criticize someone for offering to answer questions based on therr internal experience with the 'hated' company is pathetic. still waiting for one of them to offer to share where they work, something tells me ill be waiting a while

  • grabngo on 19/10/2014 - 22:02
    +1

    Thanks for trying to assist with the questions. Why are corporate post offices owned by australia post stealing and poaching big cusotomers from tbhe smaller lpos? Can u quantify the ceo earning $80 000 a week? Do u think lpos get paid enough for the work that they do?
    Why do licensees get paid only a portion of post box fees when they have to do all the work? Why do corporate post shops get stock on consignment and other lpos dont?
    Want more?
    Let me know.
    Got heaps for u….

  • TtiGeR on 19/10/2014 - 22:26
    +2

    06:53 Onboard with driver for delivery
    06:53 Delivery attempted (failed)
    06:53 Carded

    Happens almost every other parcel. Apparently there was no card in my letter box until later in the afternoon.

    I don't know how they can attempt delivery within the same minute of onboard with driver. Our home isn't that close to the DC or LPO.

    Apparently they can delivery because about half of them are delivered as expected.

    Complained a few times in the past but no much improvements. I think they just decided to card without even carrying the articles for delivery attempts. Is there any point to complain again? Thanks!

  • zrach on 19/10/2014 - 22:42
    +2

    Do big businesses have a deal with AP to make post cheaper for them?

  • centrelink on 20/10/2014 - 00:07

    I ship alot of items daily so what is the best way to ensure the item arrives to the buyer as quick as possible with only using air mail stamps (that cost around $2.60)?

    I get so much buyers complaining about their item not being received.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/10/2014 - 00:46
    +3

    You know what's reallyyyy annoying?

    Not getting carded -> contacting your ebay seller/ other online seller and them telling you to call your local PO because its ' out of their hands'. I call the local one, in this case, the Aminya st LPO, QLD, 4122 and every time they give me the worst attitude.

    Them: "If it was here, you would have got carded."

    Me: "I realise that, but there have been numerous times where I haven't been carded and its been sitting out back in your storage area, could you please check your book?"

    Them: SIGH Oh, there is actually THREE things here for you.

  • matt_will_fix_it on 20/10/2014 - 06:57
    +4

    I would like to know how does the postie organise his mail for the mail run?

    Out postie rides down our street on his bike and delivers the mail only stopping for a second at each mailbox. How does he have the mail all ready to go so quickly? Does he need to stop to "reload" at all?

    Also how does the postie plan his route? Is there a set route defined? Does he go along each street twice (once on each side) or zig zags across streets to alternate addresses?

  • brickwall on 20/10/2014 - 07:50

    It seems OP is now "Disabled User"? I wonder what happened…

    • Jay43 on 20/10/2014 - 08:41

      Looks like their account is gone.

  • windale on 20/10/2014 - 08:01
    +2

    I think that AP does a great job. My postie is always on time and the parcel delivery lady walks up my very steep driveway to deliver the parcels to my front (back) door. The ladies at the post office are always cheerful, polite and work hard for their money. Things do go wrong, that's life, or maybe it's just a conspiracy to annoy you.

  • King Tightarse on 20/10/2014 - 09:53
    +4

    Seems Faithless has departed.

    Method:

    • Ask for any and all questions regarding Australia Post.
    • Answer some questions, ignore others.
    • Act like a temperamental smart arse.
    • Disable your account.

    I assume its a "taking my bat and ball and going home" dummy spit. Somebody probably had the wrong color shirt on on something. Very strange little episode.
    Weird.

  • devs on 20/10/2014 - 10:19
    +2

    Why won't Aus Post ship anything with a Lithium Battery in it? I had to ship a DSLR overseas recently as a gift and Aus Post just wouldn't accept it. Had to go through a different carrier, who was more than happy to take it on board an airliner.

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 20/10/2014 - 11:32

    As OP has decided to disable their account comments are closed, thanks.

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