Postman Caught Throwing Fragile Parcel on Camera

Youtube link (put on sound to hear a uncomfortable bang when my parcel meets concrete): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdSCRSIDl-Y&feature=youtu.be

Background: Over a month ago I had bought prescription glasses from a brick and mortar store and requested express shipping. I opened my item to find my parcel damaged and was concerned as you would need a significant amount of force to damage an item which was packed pretty well. This in turn made me review my camera footage and I was infuriated to witness my parcel being handled inappropriately. All he needed to do was walk 3 meters forward, knock the door, wait a few seconds and gently leave my parcel at the door, not throw the package onto concrete. I understand that the nature of the job requires speed and the stressors can get overwhelming, but this is beyond what a reasonable person would consider acceptable.

I sent Auspost 2 letters of complaint and received a generic reply with the gist of 'bring to post office and we will inspect'. While it would be nice if my item was repaired, I did not care if they did so. My main wish was to prevent such appalling behavior from happening again (what if this was something far more expensive, fragile, unique or sentimental) and a apology. Following the lack of written communication, I decided to call Auspost and the staff member on the phone who I discussed this situation genuinely was caring and wanted to resolve this. I did request to be kept in the loop and in return I wanted to keep things discreet. Nevertheless, that was nearly 2 weeks ago and I have received no resolution or further correspondence to this matter.

The reason I posting this here is to:
1. Highlight that this is definitely an issue that I have heard of numerous times before and there needs to be more done to improve the situation
2. If you are getting expensive items posted to you via mail it would be wise to invest in cameras in order to provide evidence in case your items are damaged.
3. Hoping that this video gains some traction to expedite a resolution.
4. Giving myself a sense of closure.

Thanks for reading

Edit: I really want to emphasize that I really do not really care much for the damage and thus decided to not get compensation for it. The comments blaming the situation on poor packaging are deflecting from the primary issue, which is the carelessness and negligence in the handing of the parcel. Ultimately, normalising or trivialising this kind of behavior is not constructive and only further propagates the issue. Imagine if someone from the street went to house, took an item that is important to you and threw it 3 meters on concrete. Would that make you frustrated? Why is a postman doing it suddenly make it ok? If the item was not damaged at all would you be perfectly ok with it?

Comments

    • +7

      It seems that some like yourself are commenting that this is maybe the norm for Auspost. If that is the case, that is a fundamental flaw that needs to be addressed. I am not asking for much, with extremely negligible setbacks in efficiency you can provide a significantly improved service. All this dude needed to do is spend 5-10 seconds walking 6 steps and putting something on the floor.

      • +1

        It is not only the "norm" for just Austpost but every parcel delivery service that exists.
        That throw was not forceful and not far. If it cant stand that small impact then it was not packed appropriately.
        You need to see a parcel distribution center to understand that when there are tens of thousands of parcels that need to be sorted and delivered, each one can't be "put to bed" with a lullaby. I know because I worked in a large one for many years.
        Parcels may be thrown short distances in the sorting process. They are sorted into containers and have hundreds of other parcels dumped on top of them. That is how it is.
        The solution…. if something is fragile then pack it appropriately.
        Dont just stick it in a plastic bag and then blame the world if something happens to it.
        It is the sender that you need to get on to if something is not packaged right, not the courier.
        The majority of people sorting these things take reasonable care but they don't have the time to treat each parcel with special kindness. It would be like expecting someone at McD's to make you a perfect burger…

        • +1

          I have been reviewing every delivery for the past month and all the other services bar Auspost do a perfect job.

        • He pretty much winds his arm up before launching that package, wtf you on about? Did you not hear that dull thump from all the force that was applied? Sick of these lazy posties, what the hell is so hard about walking two extra steps and placing it down on the ground?

          • @ensanguined: The wide angle camera does not do it justice. It was at least a 3 meter throw, spinning and force behind it. But you are 100% right.

            • -1

              @eldudebrothers: Exactly. Look at how it bounced and hit the wall even. That is a decent throw for sure! I have cameras setup just for this reason.

    • +2

      no matter how apologetic you are for Aus post, most major freight companies push for caring of freight big or small.

      If they didn't, claims would be flying left, right and centre and they'd be in a world of hurt.

  • Wow… almost looks like you got a "fireman" to deliver your package! lol

    • I thought that too hahaha

  • +1

    Howdy neighbour

  • -2

    My main wish was to prevent such appalling behaviour from happening again (what if this was something far more expensive, fragile, unique or sentimental) and a apology.

    Parcels are all sorted by machines (not people). It's already been dropped by over 1m several times before the postie ever got a hold of it. So it was likely busted long before it was thrown on your door step.

    Parcels need to have both drop protection as well as crush protection. They need to survive at least an 1metre drop and at least a 30Kg crush.
    Source I used to work there in the mid 2000s.

    It isn't that they don't give a damn about fragile items for the most part AP don't have access to what is fragile/photos/xrays until after it's too late to do anything about it.
    It's all automated the days of being able to check for items with fragile/do not bend/handle with care are long gone.

    you would need a significant amount of force to damage an item which was packed pretty well.

    Can you give an description on how it was packaged? Boxes? paper? bubble wrap? size of bubble wrap? that sort of stuff. Do you still have pictures?
    You would be surprised how many companies that send fragile items every day but have no idea how to pack things.

    • 30kg of crush protection? Jesus Christ I’ve had records delivered on their own from amazon us in one piece, and they didn’t have 30kg of crush protection around them…clearly auspost don’t give a f—k

  • +1

    How are you sure or can prove that it wasn't broken in some other way? I wouldn't like my packages delivered in that manner either, but the video doesn't necessarily prove that the damage was caused by the postman.

    Eg. the item could've been broken at the shop that posted it, or it was damaged at manufacturing and the shop was unaware of the damage etc

    I suspect if AP was to apologise, it would be that the postman threw the item at the very end, but there'll unlikely be an apology about damage which hasn't been proven to be their cause.

    • +2

      The sender can under the t&c apply for compensation. The video should be enough for a successful claim.

  • +3

    AP should spent $ to properly train their workers (employees and contractors) and have KPIs (e.g. via customer feedback per delivery) and reward the good deliverers with a bonus to encourage the behavior. Rather than the Cartier watch "scandal".

    • They literally do all of what you said. I wish people would lodge complaints and leave delivery feedback about drivers, it gives them grounds to pursue further disciplinary action. After all how would their local management know to do so without any complaints or negative feedback.

      Most often people do not leave feedback on bad drivers, because either:
      takes too long to get through (despite email being an option)
      Don't want to get him in trouble (if they don't do their job correctly then they should be in trouble, also isn't that literally the point of making a complaint about someone not delivering correctly?)

      • +1

        The problem I have learned is that nothing gets done and even with video evidence, they do not seem to care.

        one large gripe is that with other companies, I can just stop using their service. With Auspost, I am stuck with them.

        • +2

          Surprisingly (or maybe not) video evidence doesn't mean much as They almost exclusively rely on Aus post employees assessment, which is why the parcel needs to be viewed in person by Aus post.

          And if there's complaints still being made after the post person is put on disciplinary action, you can bet he won't be delivering anything again for Aus post. Parcel contractors especially, as they are contactors they have a lot less opportunity to prove they have learnt to not do such poor things as this.

  • +1

    The biggest problem is not how the parcels are handled but how the senders fail to package the items properly.

  • +4

    Raise a complaint with the Postal Industry Ombudsman. AusPost will have a separate customer response team that deals specifically with PIO complaints.

  • Maybe he didn't like your car.

  • +1

    I hope Santa is more careful.

  • +3

    I understand that the nature of the job requires speed and the stressors can get overwhelming

    No, you don't need to be understanding of this. It's not a valid excuse for them performing poorly at their job. If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

  • ACA needs a new scandal ;)

  • +1

    I'm half and half here. I think a company sending prescription glasses in the mail should package them in such a way to expect them to be tossed around during transit, so they would still arrive without damage.

    I also think that postie toss was a little bit over the line, like had the postie taken one or two more steps and done more of a drop than a throw then there would have been no worries at all.

    • +2

      I agree, could the package have been given extra protection by at least putting it in a box? Probably. However, like I have said before, it is the unnecessary carelessness which I have a problem with.

      • I guarantee there was no way the parcel could've been damaged by that throw if it was packaged sufficiently and in a glasses case.
        Transit/sorting centres where it has the mass of heavier larger parcels is where damage occurs 90% of the time.

  • +5

    please send a complaint to the postal industry ombudsman:

    https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/How-we-can-help/postal-industry…

    We need to stamp this behaviour out.
    good luck

  • +3

    My postie drops my parcels over the fence. Sometimes they land on the bin, sometimes they land behind it and I don’t find them until bin day. If they don’t land on the bin they have a 2m journey to concrete.

    If all posties were like the person that delivers my Amazon packages, Aus Post wouldn’t get any complaints about mishandling of parcels.

  • Why is your light on in the middle of the day? Goes against the OzBargain way of saving electricity.

  • Atrocious

  • +4

    Australia Post has managed to break my really well packed extremely hard to break packaging that can be tossed alongside airplane luggage.

    Horrible attitude and toxic culture amongst postal employees is the reason such pathetic behaviour keeps repeating.

  • -3

    "but this is beyond what a reasonable person would consider acceptable."

    So you're awnsering for every reasonable person?

    I think it's acceptable, does this make me unreasonable.

    Maybe you could set up a poll and review the data before making blanket assumptions.

    • +4

      I have asked colleagues and friends who I subjectively deem reasonable. They unanimously believe that what the postie had done to be unacceptable. Nevertheless, my wording does insinuate that if anyone who disagrees with me can be unreasonable so you are correct, I did not intend to offend.

    • +5

      I think it's acceptable, does this make me unreasonable.

      Yes.

      Now what?

      • +1

        yeah its like the popular youtube rant vid…. 'oh your offended are you…. so what'

  • +3

    Recently had a signature on delivery required parcel just left on my front doorstep by auspost. The only company worse is couriers please

  • +1

    I have a postie that insists on throwing parcels over our fence… sometimes I don't even notice them for a few days because I haven't been down that side of the house. Based on where they land I'd say he just tosses them.

  • I empathise with you but you have no idea what they do within the postal/courier places too. My dad told me how he's seen people physically kick packages from one end to another. I worry for anything electronic I recieve (so far they've worked).

    Please chip in for those who do work in these letter centres or depots… but the stories I've heard don't fill me with confidence.

    Ps. Our postie is quite good as he puts it on our doorstep without chucking it (probably because my dad's spoken to him once and knows he worked at Auspost). The prior one used to do the dodgy of pickup note from post office even when we were home.

    • It was an eye opener for me and in the future I will be paying extra for courier services.

  • +1

    It’s the sender’s fault for not packing it appropriately.

    • +2

      LoL…face palm.

    • +2

      So that gives the excuse for posties to throw packages around? Australia post NEVER takes responsibility, they lose a package, oh it's up to the seller to compensate you or you need to take insurance. Sorry insurance should NOT cover lost parcels due to their negligence.

      If you have a fragile item and the sender packed it properly but you see the postman throw it at your door step, you wouldn't be like: "oh it's ok, it's packaged properly, that gives them the right to throw it how ever they wish".

      Also….. in your logic. You're going on holiday, you're sitting in your seat. You see your luggage thrown like a rag doll on the conveyer belt and into the plane. Your fragile item breaks, could be a gift for someone……. that's your fault then because you did pack your luggage properly.

      • Airlines really do take that line of reasoning though…

        And they do take responsibility if they're responsible.

        I do agree that parcels should not be thrown and this shouldn't have happened.

        Compensation thing is tricky because, well think about it, the sender is the one who Aus post are carrying the parcel for, it's not yours until it's delivered to you. Aus post don't know what's inside and provide options for high value items to be appropriately covered for loss or damage. The sender pays for it so the sender gets compensated.
        Often if it's lower value they will just compensate the addressee directly though as its better customer service and it doesn't need to be insured when it's under $100, it's covered for that automatically.

  • +2

    I got sent an A4 sheet of black Vinyl sticker that clearly said 'Do not fold.'

    Was folded and squeezed into mailbox by auspost :/

    I mean, could have rolled and put into junk mail but no.

    • +1

      'Do not fold.'

      Do not bend was cancelled almost ten years ago.

      • +1

        They can't find enough posties who can read?

  • -1

    I dunno, it didn't look that bad, he just kind of lobbed it. That parcel would have been tossed a dozen times before it reached your door anyway. Auspost doesn't handle fragile parcels so really you should be complaining to the glasses store for not packing properly and not opting to use a different courier service

  • +4

    It's not the postie's fault if you haven't setup a giant airbag at your doorstep to catch parcels. I can't believe (I can) some people on here think this is normal. The fat f%$% needs the exercise anyway.

  • +1

    Was it encased in a huge bubble-like condom?

    I buy glasses from AliExpress and the package is huge because of the "bubble". It adds about 50mm air space around the glasses.

    (posty is still a nob)

  • +4

    What a knob. Was it too hard for him to at the very least bend down a little and slide it to the door if he can't be bothered to put it down?

    • There wasn't a cheeseburger at the doorstep for him to trade.

  • -5

    Reading the post and seeing the car I would’ve done the same

    • +3

      Jealous?

    • -1

      12 comments in 5 years and you have absolutely nothing of value to add. What kind of car do you like, I bet we can make assumptions about you too.

    • Yeah great comment… What a DB

    • Combined with the ability to see into the future and read my post, and a deep hatred of small red Mazda's, you get a overwhelming urge to damage my belongings?

  • +1

    I made a complaint to the post office a while back, it was regarding postie delivery parcels to my house where I was at home all day but still receive a nobody at home notice, it amaze me that they told me that this problem and others was and have been a problem for some times. So I think someone at the executive level need some ass kicking to get these sorted.

    • +1

      Not enough Cartier watches being given out obviously.

  • Maybe he has trouble bending down.

    • +2

      Then drop it from waist hight, not throw it 3 meters onto concrete.

    • OH&S would state to bend at the knees which i think would make your point moot

  • Yep, told that there is no "fragile" service at Auspost by post shop employee. I was sending a PC tower and put fragile stickers on it. He said that might make them throw it around more. From the posties body language, it looks like he was aiming for the mat, he seems to walk faster when it hits the concrete.

  • +3

    It's called drop shipping

  • +1

    Damn. My postie is freaking awesome and friendly on the bell too. Now I want to tip him with something but not sure what…

    • Now I want to tip him with something but not sure what…

      Just choose one from here…

      • +1

        Just went through the whole list, the water bottle on its side thing is genius!

  • Whats more outrageous is how and where did you find RTX 3090.

    • +1

      USA and I fixed the fan accidentally, just needed a slight push in lol

  • Off topic. What security camera system did you installed at your place? Thanks.

  • Did the parcel have 'fragile' written on it or fragile tape?

  • -1

    It's the receivers fault for not packaging sufficiently.

    • +1

      It's the receivers fault for not packaging sufficiently.

      The receiver doesn't pack the parcel.

      • +1

        That went right over your head.

  • My father in law earlier this year had a similar incident. He ordered a bunch of different packaging cardboard from a company to best figure out the packaging material and fold/build of it for a product he was contracted to work on.

    The pile of excrement AusPost contractor that delivered it launched the parcel almost 10 meters into a brick wall next to the door and managed to break the cardboard packaging, along with all the pieces of packaging cardboard inside it……… WTF. He was asked to take the video of the incident to AusPost in the city for viewing and the potato manager working there after watching it recommended he "get a bigger welcome mat to put parcels under in the future", refusing to agree on giving any compensation. Took almost two months to get AusPost to cough up the money in the end.

    • +1

      They try their absolute level best to avoid any liability. I wish they put that much effort on delivering parcels properly.

  • +1

    I watched the video. Man I guess I have a good postie. My driveway is a steep hill, if I have something that requires a signature he will actually drive up and drop it.

    Couriers on the other hand, I've had plenty of issues with. I had an auspost courier deliver my expensive package to the wrong house, luckily the owner of that house returned it. Auspost is useless.

  • I moved to this country 10 years ago in Feb, and there are only 2 things I'd change:

    • Make the tabs on petrol pumps work so they fill up without having to hold the handle the whole time.
    • Replace the Australian postal system.

    They made a change a little while back to parcel post so that it is now flat rate. Cost me $15 to send a small 1.5kg parcel from Noosa to Brisbane (~2 hours drive). Previously that would have been ~$5. It's a joke.

    The amount of times they've left parcel cards without knocking while I'm home is rediculous. I never realized how much I missed a semi decent postal system.

    Sorry mate, not much to say about your case. Just wanted to vent about auspost.

    Otherwise even with its flaws, I love this country.

    • Regarding the tabs on the pump nozzles. I wish my local servo fixed this. I dont want to hold and squeeze to pump 100L of Diesel.

      • +2

        Use fuel cap or tennis ball to keep your nozzle going.

        • Nice #LifeHack!

        • Oh shit. Never really thought about that lol. Thanks

        • I thought u could use a paper clip in the little hole?

        • Not meant to do that as it’s a “safety hazard”

  • I always use Parcel Collect since I can get my stuff easily and on time without a left card and have also seen how they throw stuff in their sorting facility.

  • +3

    Wouldn't surprise me if the guy used to work as a baggage handler :P

    Yeah as harsh as this sounds that guy needs to go. The laziness and lack of respect to the article was a joke. I get it if someone has to work fast, I've seen stuff dropped off at my house quickly by my local but at least he gets to the stage of half-kneeling down before he goes. Always rings the bell too which is nice. This was like a full on careless toss.
    And there's been enough AusPost delivery horror stories to know that so often it just comes down the driver for your area.

  • +2

    It's basically futile to go after Auspost about items damaged in the post, and it's not really your problem anyway.

    You ordered an item and it turned up broken. Put this back on the sender to resolve.

    • -1

      Your post doesn't make any sense.

  • I wanna know when a “safe place” became the street facing front step.

  • +2

    Lmao…..+1 for the camera quality and sound of the parcel landing.

    Yup this should be reported to Australia Post of your local postman.

  • Seriously baffling the comments. The postie should lose this job, that was utterly absurd. You don't know someones parcel a few metres away on concrete.

    Let's package your reading glasses and do the same as you watch, see how 'fair' you think it is.

    I'd like to see this vision and the accompanying soft whisper communications from AusPost sent to A Current Affair or something like that. Does that show still exist? Otherwise, I'm sure The Project would love it, in between feet kissing of Labor Premiers that is.

    All in all, I'd be filthy if that was my stuff.

    • +2

      I'm sure The Project would love it, in between feet kissing of Labor Premiers that is.

      Man, the segue rants on this forum just keep getting better and better ……

  • Parcel Collect needs to improve a bit.

    For example the 24/7 Parcel Locker near my home is always full and the parcel ends up at the news agency that closes 4:30pm and I cannot get there in time.
    If I select a Post Office pickup (closes 5:30pm) I need to wait in the queue for 20-30 min.

    So yeah I got a camera and risk home delivery instead. Luckily it is pretty good in my area.

    • If you have to wait 20-30mins in a queue is suggest complaining about your wait time with exact times and date you're in store. Also most stores have early collection options, which don't require you to enter the store and thus avoiding the queue.

      The wait time issue would be addressed in a few days.

      I don't see why a parcel would go to a newsagents if the parcel lockers are full unless it's an LPO as well as a newsagents? In which case it should be open minimum of 9 -5 as it's required in the licence of most LPOs.

      Yeah I avoid home delivery despite having cameras because I've got lots of high school kids around my area who break letter boxes for fun and steal things if it's not locked. Find them thrown a few houses down if it's nothing interesting to them :/

  • OP, what camera setup do you have?

Login or Join to leave a comment