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?

Post on their social media. With photografic evidence. And maybe for now if you have super important stufd, maybe ask if your neighbour would be OK if you send it to their adress? (if you are on good terms and all)

@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.

Good idea and make sure to stuff them up with paper so the rogue postie thinks there's more documents in them than the flimsy ones. Bet those are the kind he'll love to destroy.

I would ask the question of what to do on social media. I've found this is the best way to get the attention of these sorts of large organizations. Don't name names or locations, but make it clear that you have been unable to get any action any other way. I did this with a large supermarket, and it worked.

If that fails, write to the CEO of Royal Mail.

Criminal damage, surely? Log everything.

That is horrible behaviour and is clearly victimisation. I hope you've kept photos as evidence.

There is useful advice on the Citizens Advice website re this issue and you may be able to claim compensation.

Email the ceo. I emailed them when I still received those pamphlets the postman brings, your complaints much worse than that.

So sorry you are going through this OP. You were right not to handle the signature machine in March. The postman's behaviour is completely unreasonable and I'm surprised he is still employed with Royal Mail. Make sure you keep evidence of everything you get in the post that gas been damaged in some way. Keep a lot of dates and times and what the items are and how they are damaged. Keep photos of the items before they are opened and keep the items themselves. It could be you are being targeted by this postman and he is committing an offence here.

If you can't contact anyone on the helpline, here is a link to the chief executive office who should escalate your complaint.

www.ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-9559

I hope this stops soon for you. It is an added worry on top of the pandemic crisis as well as your blood cancer.

Can I ask what type of blood cancer you have?

take photos of all post arriving and tell the police your post is being intercepted and damaged deliberately.

Definitely social media but cover your address.

Its harrassment and damage to your property. I would contact the police. As other people have said, put something on social media as well.

Thank you all so very much for your helpful replies and support. I don't usually post on message boards, but I'm so glad I did this time. I'm really grateful

Contact your MP and ask for their help.

Boi g on Twitter gets a quick fast response usually. Companies hate poor customer services being highlighted

Take a picture and keep a record every time. Use the non emergency number and talk to the police, this is harrassment of you in your own home.

Try RM on twitter.
You should keep complaining.
Also contact the police.

Social media with photos. And an official complaint to HO (the details are on the website somewhere). Don't give up even if it has to go to the top or beyond to the ombudsman.
The initial shouting and swearing is bad enough, never mind the subsequent behaviour.

Agree with others about tweeting, it shouldn’t be the way but usually seems the quickest way to get a resolution. For now, I would consider getting any important items sent to a family or friend (like your project stuff).
Disgusting the way you have been treated by RM worker

God, he sounds deranged. Have you contacted your local depot?

Make a twitter account just to contact them. You will be able to get in touch and a response much faster.

Have you kept evidence of all the ruined post?

I second posting yourself a bunch of envelopes, sizes to fit through the letterbox without folding, and put "fragile" on them (just stick on a sheet of card or something so the envelope feels like it has something that shouldnt be folded). See how they arrive. If you are very friendly with a neighour, send identical envelopes them them and compare.

You should put your complaint publicly on their social media, someone will respond. And contact the police about that fact you feel harassed and afraid.

If you are very friendly with a neighour, send identical envelopes them them and compare.

That’s a good idea! Can you see the postman, when he delivers your post or comes up your drive? If he’s doing this just before posting them, you could hide a camera and catch the cheeky fucker.

I had something similar happen with a bin lorry driver. He also worked as a taxi driver and pointed that out to me. I wouldn’t have had a clue, otherwise. When my children and I were getting out of the taxi, my oldest asked if I was tipping, in front of him, but I genuinely didn’t have the money at that time. My bin wasn’t lifted that week. The only one out of the whole street. The following week it happened again. It has never been missed, in the 25yrs I contacted the refuse dept and they had to come all the way back for it. 🤣

A local post lady was sacked last year after it emerged she was taking money and other things of value out of the post. Lots of residents had complained about post not received and due to the sheer amount of complaints they did a surveillance of her and she was seen opening the post and putting the stuff she didn't want in the bin on the street! Unbelievable really.

What about a RING doorbell, then you might catch him in the act of bending your mail.
Or just some CCTV stickers, if he thinks he's being watched he might not do it.
This is all assuming he's doing our outside your house, and nor rifling through his bag for your mail while his in his van.
Hope you get it sorted.

I'd contact your local post office sorting office and ask to speak to the manager. Alternatively contact your local community police for advice.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this - it’s appalling. I would not waste time trying Royal Mail again but would call 101. This is harassment, and - because cancer is a disability (regardless of the type of cancer or symptoms) - it may also potentially be viewed as a disability hate crime. I think you really need to get the police involved, Royal Mail have had their chance and been shit.

That is terrible. I am sorry too that you are going through this. I too echo a previous poster and post a card yourself - perhaps give a neighbour the heads up about the situation and post an identical card to them also (I would even put £5 in each) and compare how the two items arrive.

I hope you get it sorted.