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

[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!

She's probably more than likely following the policy of the particular shop.

Oh yes, small shops and their beloved ‘policies’, which usually mean ‘making up rules that suit us’.

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.

Why should the OP have to do this? The other suggestions upthread are better: go to a different post office or say, “I’ll be the judge of what’s appropriate for me to send, thanks”.

You're not supposed to post non-essential items basically? Someone better tell Amazon 😂

I dont know what it is but post office and co op staff are so fucking rude.

Op if she's says anything just do the nod and uhuh thing
You shouldn't be in here!
Uh huh well I need to post this parcel. How much please?
But is it essential? Should you be even out of the house? You're the problem, you and your parcels
Ok, so how much will the post be?

@Akire

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.

They don't have to ask what is in the parcel. They can ask if there is anything in the parcel that is on the banned list, and show you the list. They do not need to be told what is in the parcel.

Well, I'm glad it's not me who thought she was unreasonable.

She said that no one was allowed out except for necessary journeys and that posting gifts was not essential. But it's not up to her to decide what is a necessary journey (and in our village everyone walks to the PO as it's at most 5 mins from where anyone lives.)

I overheard the customer saying' what about The Range and other shops that are open' and the asst said people ought not to be going out.

Ironically, no one going in to buy a newspaper, sweets or fags was questioned. Are they going to decide what is essential and non-essential food?

&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.

Ah, but her argument was that an essential service was banking or business post only. Not posting other mail.

I just want to say that the staff in my local post office/general store are lovely. The woman behind the post office counter is incredibly helpful. They're not all like this.

@LovesaColdClimate maybe she needs a career change - covid Marshall would suit her perfectly

Ah, but her argument was that an essential service was banking or business post only. Not posting other mail.

Yes, Wankpuffins is on to something there. She should get a job standing at supermarket tills admonishing customers for buying non-essential items. F&F top in Tesco? Non-essential. Put it back! Wine? Non-essential. Think of the NHS paying for your cirrhosis! Put it back! No arguments!

Our post office was only allowing max 3 parcels this year. We use couriers to send things for birthdays and Christmas etc. It's not perfect but it means as a cev it's safer than queuing. (someone comes to the house with the one we choose, they collect from our porch and we don't have to see them at all. They leave a card to say what they collected and we can track online to make sure it goes no issues.

I cant believe there are people on here saying we shouldn't send Christmas cards. They're not saying that. They're saying that we shouldn't be leaving our house to post them while we're still in lockdown.

back into tiers on Wednesday. Plenty of time for cards to arrive before Christmas.

@Ragwort

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?

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

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Just post your parcel I mean tier1 is practically normal wherever you live I the UK some people just like a moan and the drama of it all!

Since the Post Office has just started a parcel collection service aimed at people selling from home, she's obviously talking bollox, ignore her.

I think she’s being a bit of a jobsworth as this isn’t a blanket post office rule, rather something she has decided must be enforced of her own accord.

I returned online orders via the post office with no issue last lockdown! Not highly essential but they had no issue with it. This lockdown is even more lax than the first, if M&S and the like allow you to buy clothing and homeware, why can’t the post office offer it’s usual services?

@PimlicoJo

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.

This.

“ They're not saying that. They're saying that we shouldn't be leaving our house to post them while we're still in lockdown.”

You’re allowed to go out for a walk.

Dear God, what has happened to everyone?

I’ve used the collection service twice and it’s really good, my parcels were collected at 8.30 this morning and I only booked it yesterday!

@Mumdiva99

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.

Making an elderly woman who at present cannot see any family smile is essential imo

It would be lovely to see a little more compassion for elderly folk who are completely isolated at present.

@LovesaColdClimate

Well, I'm glad it's not me who thought she was unreasonable.

She said that no one was allowed out except for necessary journeys and that posting gifts was not essential. But it's not up to her to decide what is a necessary journey (and in our village everyone walks to the PO as it's at most 5 mins from where anyone lives.)

I overheard the customer saying' what about The Range and other shops that are open' and the asst said people ought not to be going out.

Ironically, no one going in to buy a newspaper, sweets or fags was questioned. Are they going to decide what is essential and non-essential food?

She sounds bloody obnoxious. I would have been very tempted to say, "You know what? You make a good point. The wine, biscuits, selection boxes and desserts I'm planning on buying shouldn't be bought here today really should they? They're not essential. I'll make sure to stick what I would usually buy in here on my Tesco delivery instead. Thanks for that. I'll save a fortune not coming in here anymore"

The only reason Post Offices in small towns and villages are able to afford to run is by having them as an extra service inside a shop to encourage greater footfall.
Go in to send a parcel? Pick up your daily groceries at the same time.
Want to buy a stamp? Grab a nice wine while you're there for later.

Was the shop owner around at the time? Would they be happy to hear their staff are discouraging customers?

As a front line worker she might be annoyed of people coming in for none essential reasons and increasing her potential exposure to the virus.

www.postoffice.co.uk/coronavirus-help-support/latest-comms

My PO assts. have never said anything of the sort. Someone is just being officious I expect.

BTW if you’ve got scales at home you can weigh and measure your parcel, pay and print off a label at home to stick on, then just drop at a PO or stick in a letterbox if it’s small enough, or take it to a parcel box. Look on the PO website - it’s very straightforward.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

My PO assts. have never said anything of the sort. Someone is just being officious I expect.

BTW if you’ve got scales at home you can weigh and measure your parcel, pay and print off a label at home to stick on, then just drop at a PO or stick in a letterbox if it’s small enough, or take it to a parcel box. Look on the PO website - it’s very straightforward.

Thanks- but I've been doing this for months now to reduce the time spent at the counter, using cards of cash.

I simply need to hand a parcel in and get a proof of posting. I don't live near enough a drop-in box without a car trip and then I assume you can't get a receipt. Other smaller items I've stuck in the post box outside.

I think what annoys me is they are talking about one 'rule' for the shop (ok for people to buy newspapers and sweets) but getting upset about people using the PO for non-essential post. Given I've only been able to visit my mum 3 times this year (lockdown) and she is 400 miles away, sending her things she needs or likes is pretty important to me.