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Original poster

Post Office asst being a bit awkward over posting during lockdown.

51 replies

LovesaColdClimate · 30/11/2020 07:40

This is more AIBU.

Long story short...in my local PO (in a tiny village where the shop and PO are in one small building) there was a discussion I overheard where the PO asst told someone they ought not to be using the PO for anything other than banking, or business post, as we are in lockdown . (At the moment we are Tier 1 with low rate.)

I was sending things to my elderly mum (she's 95 and can't go out so all shopping is online and I was posting personal care items but not medicines.)

I don't think it's up to the asst to tell customers what they ought to be posting when lockdown says POs can stay open and she can't dictate what people can use it for.

I now want to post a parcel to my mum- clothing which is not urgent but she's like.

I feel uneasy about going in and doing so!

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 30/11/2020 08:01

There's no rule that I know of that says you can't use a PO as normal during lockdown - after all, post is being delivered as normal. You must wear a mask and observe SD, that's it. You should send your Mum her parcel and not be made to feel that you shouldn't.

Ragwort · 30/11/2020 08:05

I wonder if you live near me where the staff (including owner) in our local Post Office are just so rude and unhelpful ... I now won't even use them as they are so unpleasant.p and use a Post Office further away.

I work in retail myself and know customers can, on occasion, be challenging but some shop assistants seem to positively enjoy being as rude and unhelpful as possible.

Bagelsandbrie · 30/11/2020 08:09

Well if people didn’t use the post office she wouldn’t have a job. Silly woman. Can’t stand people like this. Just ignore her.

yeOldeTrout · 30/11/2020 08:10

I'd be annoyed at a PO person who said that.
Don't they get a cut of the postage?
I'd cycle to a different PO if possible, let someone else have the little %.

Mumdiva99 · 30/11/2020 08:11

She's right. During lock down we shouldn't make any unnecessary journeys. So posting gifts is unnecessary. Posting your mum something she 'needs' and is unable to get herself is necessary.

Ragwort · 30/11/2020 08:15

Mum ... so if no one uses the Post Office apart from 'essential' posting then how will the Post Office continue to be financially viable and employ staff? Hmm

Should I not be posting Christmas cards this year, should no one buy on line unless 'essential'?

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 30/11/2020 08:17

I would just say essentials for my elderly mother when asked what is in the parcel.
Not that they should be checking that apart from the usual "what's in the parcel "
Dont feel worried and go and send the things to your mum.
Perhaps she is worrying about the Christmas rush and her risk

mintyneb · 30/11/2020 08:21

If the PO is allowed to be open then I cant see why it wouldn't be for all services.

If you dont feel comfortable going in there again, have a look at Royal Mail's new service - Parcel Collect www.royalmail.com/collection. I dont know what the max size/weight of parcel is but basically you can arrange for your postie to pick up a package from your house whilst they're out on their usual round.

DreadingSeason2020sFinale · 30/11/2020 08:28

@Bagelsandbrie

Well if people didn’t use the post office she wouldn’t have a job. Silly woman. Can’t stand people like this. Just ignore her.
And at the rate post offices are closing she'll be lucky to have a job in the near future, especially if she hasn't kept this attitude about parcels to herself.
Mumdiva99 · 30/11/2020 08:30

@ragwort - during lockdown you shouldn't leave the house for any unnecessary reason. The government have published the reasons you can go out and posting Xmas cards is not one. Post them when lockdown is lifted. www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#stay-at-home

WankPuffins · 30/11/2020 08:32

I've had this too.

I've been selling everything that isn't nailed down on eBay because, you know, things are tough and d quote like my children to have a few presents.

I was told that I was part of the problem going to the post office twice a week by one of the staff.

Sorry but I need the money.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 30/11/2020 08:38

[quote Mumdiva99]@ragwort - during lockdown you shouldn't leave the house for any unnecessary reason. The government have published the reasons you can go out and posting Xmas cards is not one. Post them when lockdown is lifted. www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#stay-at-home[/quote]
If you live in England, you must stay at home and avoid travel in the UK or overseas, unless for work, education or other legally permitted reasons. If you need to travel you should look to reduce the number of journeys if possible.

However you can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including:

travelling to work where you cannot work from home
travelling to education and for caring responsibilities
to visit those in your support bubble - or your childcare bubble for childcare
hospital, GP and other medical appointments or visits where you have had an accident or are concerned about your health
to buy goods or services from premises that are open, including essential retail

You are buying a service from the PO therefore you are allowed to travel to it....it says so in the guidelines you linked to.

PimlicoJo · 30/11/2020 08:39

This is nonsense; the post office is open and working and you can post (and order and receive) what you like. I'm in my 50s so if your mum is 95 I assume you're around my age or older. Just stand up for yourself.

missyB1 · 30/11/2020 08:39

She sounds like a jobsworth and full of self importance. Covid has been a gift for these sort of people.

ChaToilLeam · 30/11/2020 08:43

If the daft woman has a go at you, then just tell her “I’ll be the judge of what is necessary for me to send, thank you”. Ignore any snippy replies. The post office is an essential service and if it is there and open, you can use it. I’m all for observing sensible restrictions but getting in a knot about what constitutes an acceptable reason to visit the post office makes no sense.

user1487194234 · 30/11/2020 08:45

Ignore her
Just one of the many people who for some unknown reason don't find the actual restrictions hard enough and like to make up extra ones

Brunt0n · 30/11/2020 08:53

If they ask what is in the parcel you can just say ‘nothing that i’m not allowed to post’

She sounds like a total jobsworth and she’ll be the first one whining if she’s made redundant

Akire · 30/11/2020 09:02

THey have to ask what’s in the parcel as some things are banned. Electronics batteries aerosols liquids will need labels. So don’t take personally just be aware of what’s safe and say something vague if what you are sending Is personal.

lazylinguist · 30/11/2020 09:08

She's right. During lock down we shouldn't make any unnecessary journeys.

If shops and services are available, people are allowed to use them. There is no rule that you can't use the Post Office or send presents to people fgs. You're allowed to make journeys to go to shops that are allowed to be open.

starfish4 · 30/11/2020 09:11

She's probably more than likely following the policy of the particular shop. Also, shops might be open but isn't it about reducing contact for everyone and only buying essentials. Next time you're not happy ask to speak to the manager, they get paid far more to deal with unhappy customers and might override usual policy.

Working in a shop can be a miserable ungrateful task, so glad they're are some lovely customers as well (not saying you're not one of them as you could be right)

doublehalo · 30/11/2020 09:12

If we're not careful these petty tyrants will be taking over.

Resist!

Ringading7 · 30/11/2020 09:13

@LovesaColdClimate

This is more AIBU.

Long story short...in my local PO (in a tiny village where the shop and PO are in one small building) there was a discussion I overheard where the PO asst told someone they ought not to be using the PO for anything other than banking, or business post, as we are in lockdown . (At the moment we are Tier 1 with low rate.)

I was sending things to my elderly mum (she's 95 and can't go out so all shopping is online and I was posting personal care items but not medicines.)

I don't think it's up to the asst to tell customers what they ought to be posting when lockdown says POs can stay open and she can't dictate what people can use it for.

I now want to post a parcel to my mum- clothing which is not urgent but she's like.

I feel uneasy about going in and doing so!

At the moment you are in national lockdown, not Tier 1.
Hugosmugo · 30/11/2020 09:17

I cant believe there are people on here saying we shouldn't send Christmas cards. For goodness sake get a grip! My 93 year old grandmother doesn't have any Internet, she relies on phone calls and things like cards to keep her going.

Hugosmugo · 30/11/2020 09:19

@Ringading7 mumsnet isn't only for people living in England?

Nicknacky · 30/11/2020 09:25

Rinading7 You did this yesterday, haven’t you learnt anything? There are other places in the world than England!

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