BS: sub standard service

Subject: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 07:26 PM

When I was in England, I mailed post cards to many people. Some got them in a timely manner, but one of them just arrived today. Wonder where it's been for two months?

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 08:21 PM

Sorry, Kendall, I thought this was another Bush thread...

But, ahhhh, think Tom Tidge here...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: beardedbruce
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 08:22 PM

How many did you send total, and when did they arrive? Need to figure out the bell curve- One of them HAD to be the last delivered...

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 08:37 PM

Kendall, they never get here before you do--it's an unwritten law of postcards. You found some that took the law more literally than others.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 08:40 PM

they had to be passed around and read first! Check to see whether the most interesting ones were the last to be delivered..*grin*

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 08:42 PM

Hmmmm? No surprise here at all. Let's reconstruct the story: An American FOLK SINGER (we know of your kind) leaves the good olde U.S.A., and travels to a another country. Then he tries to communicate with his supporters at his base of operations, by mail. It takes a   l o n g   time for the necessary cautions to happen.

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS!!! Ceers, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: mack/misophist
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 11:42 PM

As a retired postal worker, I may be able to answer your question. They were probably mis-sent to Antarctica on the last ice breaker of the season. Happens all the time.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 07:46 AM

I sent about a dozen within the first two weeks of being in England. (Mid April) All but one arrived within a week or so. One took two months.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:27 AM

Kendall, thank your lucky stars they ARRIVED! Anybody want to buy a postal service? I hear they'll sell it cheap.

(PS-The last of the London Routemaster Double Deckers are on sale for only £2,000 each. This is the BEST DEAL in the UK!!!)

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:35 AM

ONE OF KENDALL'S TWENTY CENT POST CARDS TO AMERICA WAS DELIVERED LATE!! OH DEAR! GET HIM A REFUND QUICK!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:37 AM

I usually get a cold-cut combo, and a veggie with extra jalapenos as my standard order... and service is usually very prompt... and friendly...

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 10:40 AM

Guest

The card plus postage actually cost in the region of 80 pence - that's probably round about one dollar fifty cents to send a small piece of card to the States. Two months is one hell of a long time to wait for delivery.

In this country we have an expensive and not totally satisfactory mail service with first class letters taking days to reach their destination when there is an understanding that, by paying 29p you expect next day delivery. There is no come back for this poor service or any reasonable alternative. I work in a service industry myself and am always aware that the people out there pay my wages. That ethos seems to have gone astray in a proportion of the public servants upon whom we should be able to rely.

I will now complain about bad service because that is the only way it seems that there might be some improvement. Whether it's a postcard or an important document we have the right to expect reasonable service because we are PAYING for it.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 02:21 PM

Jacqui, why bother to explain to someone who's probably never been out of his own county. Reminds me of our "Fearless leader" who has never had a passport...and the cretin brags about it!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 04:30 PM

It is sub standard service. As well as sub standard postage.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 04:43 PM

Kendall doesn't actually say if he sent them air mail (43p) or surface mail (39p)

If he stamped at the lower rate then the published timescale is "up to eight weeks".

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 05:06 PM

Last October my canadian niece sent her christmas cards my brother only got his end of march.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 05:07 PM

I note that the tendency here seems to be for the English to assume the delay was on the English side, and for the Americans to assume it was on the American side.

I think that's rather encouraging.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:11 PM

Explanation

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST,postalman
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:17 PM

It's really simple, Kendall - you are so popular and so well known that the postcard was passed around to post office workers for a couple months so they all had a chance to read it.

You're welcome...

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 09:06 PM

I sent the fucking things first class!! OK?? It shouldn't have taken two fucking months OK???

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 09:45 PM

Jeeze Kendall. Why don't you just come straight out and say what you mean, instead of beating around the bush! Bob

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 10:21 PM

Well then, dear, fuckin' A!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 03:14 AM

The Postal system is a MESS here in the UK, folks. They have found that postal workers are leaving bags of mail in the post-boxes for months, and often then just dumping the whole load rather than processing them. It's a big old scandel here and if it were in the States, people would be far more violent in their protests.

Which leads me to what really is something I don't understand...why do the Brits take such crap? And they do, in more ways that you can imagine. They pay more for all their services and yet the services are abominable, and they pay more for all their products (usually twice what Americans pay for the same things), and NO ONE complains...or at least not loudly enough, or in effective groups.

Sorry, off on a rant, but if Kendall got a taste of it via the post, and HE is ornery about it (and justifiably do), then why the heck can't the Brits be who deal with this year in and out??????

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: jacqui.c
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 04:20 AM

The problem is that we Brits have been brought up with the idea that 'one doesn't make a fuss'.

There are a lot of reasons for this but it adds up to the fact that we, in general, find it embarrassing to make any real sort of protest over poor service. As a result we have been royally shafted over many years by couldn't care less service industries and suppliers who know that, because we are an island, it is difficult to source an alternative to their goods.

The situation is changing now - the lessening of power of the 'upper classes', no major wars with the privations they bring and a more affluent lifestyle for a lot of Brits is making us more disatisfied with sub standard service and higher prices. We are, on occasions, beginning to say 'enough'. Hopefuly things will change as a result, but it will be a slow process, just like the mail.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:45 AM

Sorry about that little snit, but I was not blaming anyone, I was simply commenting on what happened and the silly responses got up my nose, that's all.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you Brits need a good revolution and we can teach you how to do it. After all, we overthrew the most powerful nation in the world a few years back. And, it was all about paying for stuff that we were not getting. (Not to mention getting what we didn't want)

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 09:35 AM

I believe you're statistically challenged ole boy! You sent a dozen and all but one got there in a four weeks! That's over ninety percent, chap! You deserve perfection, then?

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 12:27 PM

Is Kendall saying that Canada's been invaded by the US a few years back? If the notice was sent by mail, we'll be finding out any day now.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 12:41 PM

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ed.
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 01:50 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you Brits need a good revolution and we can teach you how to do it. After all, we overthrew the most powerful nation in the world a few years back.

Are you entirely mad?

Which nation did you 'overthrow'?

In what sense do we need a 'revolution'?

In what sense can American foriegn policy teach anyone, anything Apart from the fact that you have no idea.

I'm sorry, Kendall, but you scare me.

America doesn't own the world.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: DMcG
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 02:00 PM

And wasn't Thomas Paine English? I think he did a certain amount to encourage the American Revolution in the first place!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 02:04 PM

Ed.

Kendall is responding to a Brit's post!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ed.
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 02:34 PM

Apologies if I got the wrong end of the stick

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 08:39 PM

Many Americans believe that Brits have no sense of humor. Can you believe that, Ed?

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Megan L
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 01:20 PM

Funny thing is Kedall many brits think the Americans have no sence of humour now would you believe it :)

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 04:47 PM

Speaking as a professional humorist, I can only say, too many Americans and too many Brits have no sense of humor.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 04:57 PM

Well, Skipper, it's a tough life having a sense of humor, when so few share it. But you're from Maine where they build 'em tougher than average, right? Right...


A

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 05:32 PM

The main complaint I have about post is that I keep on getting so much junk mail through the letter box that I am quite likely to miss seing the real letters. Any time the postal workers can start dumping that stuff somewhere instead of cluttering up my dormat, I'd be very grateful.

Things go wrong from time tomtime - occasionally I've had letters deliuvered to me that are meant for a neighbour, and vice versa. I just walk round and stick it through the letter box, or drop it in a pillar box, and it arrives a couple of days late. Big deal.

I tend to assume that, at the root of those kind of things, generally, are efforts by management to cut corners and "increase productivity", which just haven't been thought through. If we had a revolution, the first people I'd like to see get chopped down to size might be the kind of experts who waltz around setting up those kinds of clever reforms that ignore the experience of the people on the job.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 08:00 AM

or spend thousands of pounds changing the name from 'The Post Office' to 'Consignia' and then back again.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:23 AM

Postcards: Write them while you're abroad, then bring them home with you, and mail them from there. It will be cheaper, they will probably get to their destinations sooner, and you won't have to waste precious time on your vacation looking for a post office. The only disadvantage is, your friends won't get to see those cute foreign postage stamps.

Delivery: I suspect one major cause of misdirected mail is handwritten addresses by people with lousy handwriting. I believe we have actually taken a step backwards in this regard. Back when people used typewriters, it was a simple matter to insert an envelope into the typewriter and type the address. Now that people use computers, they often hand-write the address because they haven't figured out how to feed the envelope into the printer. (On my own computer, if I follow the on-screen directions exactly, the envelope gets printed upside down.) Meanwhile, the Postal Service is increasingly relying on Optical Character Readers, mechanical sorters, etc.

The US Postal Service estimates that 25% of all mail has something wrong with the address. See USPS - Business Mail 101 - Addressing - Delivery Address.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Teribus
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:27 AM

Very pleased to hear from jacqui.c, about how the, "situation is changing now - the lessening of power of the 'upper classes', no major wars with the privations they bring and a more affluent lifestyle for a lot of Brits is making us more disatisfied with sub standard service and higher prices."

So since the last major war (privations and power of the 'upper classes' included) the 59% of the time we have been governed by Conservatives, cannot all have been "years of Tory mis-rule".

All in all, in general, the postal service does work, and does provide the required service, for the vast majority of the time. I am sorry to hear that Kendall fell victim to one of the few occasions where it did not - Please accept the apologies of the nation, we will endeavour to ensure that such an occurence will not be repeated on any future visit.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:40 AM

Teribus, I did not blame anyone. If you read my first post you will see that I was simply commenting on what happened. For all I know it might have been the American Postal system that fell over, I don't know. Boy, it doesn't take much to get to people with a thin skin and a need to piss amd moan over nothing.

Now hear this:
I love England. I didn't meet anyone over there whom I didn't like, and I didn't encounter anything that pissed me off. Furthermore, I will return. Now, find fault with that.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 01:46 PM

Kendll, you were doing Fine up to the "I will return...." :o)

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 02:18 PM

Kendall, "first class" is a domestic postal rate not an international one so don't blame either postal service.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Teribus
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 02:33 PM

Kendall,

I wasn't aware that I was moaning about anything, only commented on the personal observation that the postal service is normally quite good. In case it was the GPO that let you down, please accept our apologies - OK?

I am pleased to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your trip and I sincerely hope that you do come back over - you never know you might even bump into me somewhere in your travels - ;))

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 07:47 PM

Ok, Guest, keep it going! I put enough postage on them to send them to the moon. Someone dropped the ball, I don't know who, and it doesn't matter. Furthermore, it doesn't matter that it doesn't matter!

CatsPHIDDLE, I don't remember pissing you off?

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:11 PM

"Boy, it doesn't take much to get to people with a thin skin and a need to piss amd moan over nothing"

You said it old chap!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:56 PM

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:58 PM

Enough already...

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 03:26 AM

Kendall you haven't pissed me off. I didn't post the comment it was Micca on my cookie and it looks as though he was being sarcastic.

Khatt

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 06:23 AM

If it helps, you can blame me for the outcry over the Postal Service. I've watched it decline and it saddens me, just the way many business over here (and not just the UK, but this is where I've been living for the past decade) seem to have money poured into them yet their services never show improvement.

If Kendall had made a comment about the Transport System in London, I do believe I'd have chimed in as well.

So..is everybody having a good day today?

;-) ..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 06:51 AM

True enough some people have terrible writing - but at least with handwritten addresses you know it's a real letter. I'm inclined to think that there should be a special business rate for all letters that aren't addressed by hand - perhaps three times the normal rate.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 07:39 AM

Kevin - Im finding that my handwriting is deteriorating due to arthritis and I prefer to type so that people can at least understand what I'm saying. maybe it doesn't look as personal but it's less frustrating than trying to decipher a lot of scrawl, which is what mine gets to after a short while.

Ellen - I,m having a lovely day - the last in the office before I fly out to Maine tomorrow morning for a week's holiday!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 07:43 AM

Kendall
Maybe next time you should send them by airplane or surface ship- those submarines can get sidetracked...

8-{E

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Micca
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 01:51 PM

Apologies Kendall, it was me not catsPHiddle above (as she said) and I was "pulling your leg" a bit, You are very welcome to visit when you like!!

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 08:18 PM

No worries Micca, I knew you were "having me on".

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Podger
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 11:43 PM

Well Kendall me old mush. Wotcha gotta do in Blighty ter get yer letters an stuff sent furst class is ter put TWO stamps on 'em. That confuses them buggers in the 'oly ghost orfice and they think it's first class 'cos yer ad ter use more an one stamp.

If yer only use one stamp then they think it's second class 'cos yer could only afford one stamp.

Quite lorgical reely.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: GUEST,abe
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:40 PM

Lousy service? go to any TacoBell at shift change and ask for a senior discount. the doggy fuckers tear the door down to go nowhere.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 10:08 PM

Hope this makes you feel better Kendall. Better to use messenger pidgeons.

MPs are sent letters about misdelivered mail by post watchdog - but none of them arrives
By Roya Nikkhah
(Filed: 27/06/2004)


The postal services watchdog, Postwatch, has lodged an official complaint with the Royal Mail after all the letters it sent to a group of MPs were lost in the post - the missing items were promoting a campaign to encourage people to report misdelivered or lost mail.

The letters, addressed to 49 MPs at the House of Commons, were posted first class from Ely, Cambridgeshire, on May 13. Each was clearly marked with the Postwatch return address.

   
Gillian Shephard: 'Royal Mail is now a demoralised organisation'
After a fortnight, it became clear that none of the "Stamp Out Misdelivered Mail" campaign material had been delivered.

Royal Mail had no explanation for this. A spokesman said: "We have conducted a full investigation and have found no evidence of any problems in the relevant postal areas. As far as we are concerned, the letters are not in our system."

Peter Carr, the chairman of Postwatch, said: "This incident is symptomatic of a system that is failing many customers. This is our opportunity to test the Royal Mail complaints procedure at first hand."

Postwatch said it would demand a full explanation plus compensation for the lost postage cost.

A recent survey by Postwatch suggested that more than 14 million letters were lost by Royal Mail every year. Postwatch is currently pressing for tougher laws to force Royal Mail to pay compensation for all lost post. However, Mr Carr said he had so far seen "nothing but procrastination" from the Government.

Gillian Shephard, the Tory MP for Norfolk South-West and one of Postwatch's intended recipients, has now complained to Allan Leighton, Royal Mail's chairman. "I've not yet had a reply," she said. "Perhaps I should also have faxed him."

She added: "Royal Mail is now a demoralised organisation that cannot keep to its targets. In its zeal to cut costs, it has created a workforce that is not as motivated as it once was."

Despite making a £220 million profit for the year 2003-4, Royal Mail's customer service record remains dismal. Last month, it admitted that it had failed on all 15 of its service targets, including the first-class, next-day delivery target of 92.5 per cent.

Such poor performance has prompted an investigation by Postcomm, the postal industry regulator, which expects to present Royal Mail with a customer compensation bill of up to £80 million this year.

Royal Mail faced further criticism recently over hefty bonuses paid to five of its executive directors. Adam Crozier, the chief executive, earned a £300,000 bonus, taking his total pay to £664,224.

Mr Leighton and Mr Crozier were unavailable for comment yesterday.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 06:38 PM

When MPs who fail to respond to a letter say the letter was never delivered, I take that with a pinch of salt.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Bert
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 09:57 PM

I send everything priority mail with $200 insurance. It seems to work fine. It costs $6 a pop but when they eventually do lose one I'll get all my money back.

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 03:53 AM

I just received my check in the mail. I take back all the nasty things I said before....



for now.




Oh, by the way....another TUBE STRIKE anyone??

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: sub standard service
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 12:43 AM

Kendall, no problem. I got mine this afternoon.
No wait! it wasn't from you.....Shit!!

Seamus