Trouble with the postman

[WuthPP]

Posting here for footfall, because I really don't think I am being unreasonable.

Early in March I refused to sign for a letter from the postman using his machine that had been touched by all and sundry. I was in no way impolite or awkward, but I have a rare blood cancer and was trying to keep myself safe from Covid infection. This was about a week before the government told me to shield as critically vulnerable, but I could already see the risks and was acting accordingly. The postman was extremely rude, swore at me and tried to tell me I had no option but to sign for it. I tried to explain why I wasn't willing to touch the machine and he put his foot over the step as if he was going to enter the porch. I was scared, so I went back inside my house and closed the front door, leaving him standing half in and half out of the porch, where he proceeded to swear and shout at me through the closed front door.

I reported him to Royal Mail who said they would raise an official complaint and he would be investigated. I've never heard any more but after that our mail started to arrive damaged - either ripped, bent and folded, creased and/or with dirty footprints on. This is mail that would fit perfectly through the letterbox, nothing oversized or bulky.
So I tried to contact Royal Mail to make a further complaint.

But, you can't get through on the phone to speak to anyone anymore (I understand why), so I emailed them and gave the facts, along with the original complaint reference. All I've had is a generic email reply telling me to check the FAQ's and that they are sorry if a few items have been less than perfect when delivered.

Thing is, it's not getting any better. Birthday cards have been ruined, stickers bought for a project my husband is working on, that have taken 5 weeks to arrive and which were shrouded in cardboard to prevent creasing or damage, are unusable, and today our new National Trusts membership cards have arrived bent and folded - for this to happen, the ordinary sized envelope has been folded into four to cause deep creasing along the width and height of both memberships cards. This is just a snapshot, there have been many more items delivered damaged. It's relentless and I feel bullied. I don't believe speaking to the postman himself (through a closed door as I'm still shielded and can't have face to face contact) will help, in fact it may inflame matters and make things worse, but I can't get Royal Mail to help me.

Any ideas anyone?

[WuthPP]

Sorry I didn't mean to add a poll - new member and don't know how to get rid of it.

[MamaLion1319]

Post it on their social media, you'd probably get a response. Either that or I'd have a word with the postman myself.

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

I would have a word with the local police. This is harrassment.

[catmg]

That sounds awful!
Postman is definitely out of order.

Maybe raise the issue on social media with Royal Mail? Twitter if you're on there? They sometimes take more notice if you air your issues publicly.

[WiseOwl69]

Well your postman sounds like a right arsehole!

I’d be tempted to go straight to the top. Google the CEO’s email and send him a email covering the above with photos of your damaged mail.

[MandosHatHair]

Document every incident with dates and photos. If you have no luck contacting royal mail through thier social media then go to the police.

[foamrolling]

Far be it from me to be 'that' poster who cries 101 at the drop of a hat, but isn't tampering with the post a criminal offence?

[HmmLetsSee]

Don't forget to take pictures of these posts, each time they arrive. If possible, a video recording as you're about to pick them up and shoe them clearly. You'll need to send these with your complaints. It's definitely harassment.

[LagunaBubbles]

Have you taken pictures of all the damaged mail? I would contact the Police.

[namesnames]

I would give Royal Mail one more chance, advising this will be the last time before the Police will be contacted.

Could you add photographs of the damage to your correspondence?

[Windyatthebeach]

I have made 3 complaints about Royal Mail. Recently identifying the postman. I received am email taking my complaint very seriously...
I suggest digging deep online for the complaints address - it wasn't that obviously available... Any delivery cards will have the ID number of the individual on. Use it at every opportunity in your complaint..

[HmmLetsSee]

*show

I realise others have also posted what I wrote. Before I sent mine, they weren't there.

[understandmenow]

Bloody outrageous, you can't be sure you're shielding but could your DH visit the local sorting office and insist on speaking to the manager?

I'd be fuming!

[HappyHammy]

Try ofcom post complaints advice page. There is a phone number. I would photograph everything and bag up damaged items then call the police for advice.

[HmmLetsSee]

*already, not also.

Goodness, autocorrect!

[HelmutShmacker]

Definitely tag them in social media. How absolutely sickening.

[Tappering]

Ring the delivery office breast to you and ask to speak to the Delivery Office Manager. Tell them that it's a complaint, and that you are giving the DOM one opportunity to speak with you before you put your complaint on social media and email the Post Office Head Office.

What this postie is doing is damaging your mail and they could get into a lot of trouble with Royal Mail's own internal security team.

[Tappering]

Breast? Nearest!

[heartsonacake]

Have you documented every single piece of damaged post? If you haven’t, start now. Photograph the outside and the damage done inside.

I would contact them via social media as well as contacting the CEO; continue to escalate it. The documentation will show they’re not one off damaged items but being done deliberately because of the previous complaint.

[RiftGibbon]

Social media
CEO
Police

[MyOwnSummer]

@Tappering Royal Mail and Post Office are two separate entities, have been since 2010.

1. Make a log, with dates, times and photographic evidence of the damaged items.
2. Keep submitting complaints via the normal channels, social media, CEO email etc
3. Use the reference number for your original complaint in all correspondence with RM, it will make it easier for them to join the dots on their side.

[Megatron]

Agree that you should document every piece of damaged post. I would also ask them on Twitter to engage with you or that you will have no further options than to involve the police as your post is being tampered with. You'll definitely get a reply then.

[ItsNotAGameOfSubbuteoMatthew]

Take photos of the damaged mail before and after opening. When you manage to get through believe me they will be interested in the state your mail has arrived in.

[growinggreyer]

Can you post yourself a selection of envelopes with first and second class stamps on so that you have some test pieces to arrive later this week that you don't need to open. You can just photograph them and keep them to show.

[Thelittleweasel]

Rather than e-mails, posts and so on write a letter [a long one!]. They are good with letters and set a time limit [10 days?] for a reply.

Royal Mail has an "investigations branch" which are somewhat difficult to track down but they deal with such things as rogue staff and also people who deny having deliveries and the like.

They are a fierce lot. Staff used to hate them.

@WuthPP