I tried Royal Mail's new digital post box and they are unusable

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/new ... led-gen-z/



I tried to send a parcel in one of Swindon's new 'digital' post boxes - and I wouldn't bother next time.

18 of Royal Mail's new 'post boxes of the future' were introduced to Swindon at the start of this year, and have sparked considerable debate about accessibility.

The change has been labelled Royal Mail's "biggest redesign in its 175-year history", and features a solar-panelled top, a QR code and scanning machine.

Royal Mail claims the new post boxes offer a "convenient way" to send small parcels without needing to go to the post office.

Armed with a friend's birthday present, I went to test out just how easy they are to use.

As a 25-year-old woman who grew up in the 2000s, I have spent a lifetime teaching older family members how to use QR codes and apps. I assumed I would have no issue using the new post box as a 'techy' Gen Z.

Immediately upon arriving at the post box near Ellendune Community Centre in Wroughton, I realised I was wrong.

Instructions on the box say to "press the button to activate the scanner, scan the label's barcode, and then pop the parcel in the drawer."

The first issue was obvious - I did not have a parcel label or a barcode and I did not have access to a printer to print one off.

Determined not to give in and go to a post office, I asked a friend to print off my parcel label (extra admin time spent on the Royal Mail website) and returned again for take two.

For proof of posting, I had to scan a QR code to download the Royal Mail app, and answer a series of questions about my parcel.

This took 10 minutes stood outside battling poor signal and confusing questions.

I had no idea how much my parcel weighed and was adamant I wasn't going back home again to pull out the scales.

In the end, I took an educated guess, and couldn't help thinking this would be easier in a post office with a scale and someone helping me scan my parcel.

For me, the new digital post box was a manageable but unnecessary faff. For my grandparents, it would be unusable.

Even if they could navigate the digital challenges of downloading the app, scanning the barcode and figuring out small print instructions, the time it took stood outside was enough to make anyone's feet tired.

For posting regular letters, the post box works exactly as before.

I can see no issues, although I do think the replacement of crocheted post-box toppers with solar panels is a shame.

When it comes to posting parcels however, I'll be sticking to my regular post office.

[ted_e_bear]

Haha despite overestimating herself as being her families resident techy expert I don't think she completely grasped the way you're supposed to use these things.

[TopperGas]

Haha despite overestimating herself as being her families resident techy expert I don't think she completely grasped the way you're supposed to use these things.

Which will probably be the case for most customers? Although turning up on the first occasion without a label is bit odd, what was she expecting to find, a label printer?

[ted_e_bear]

Haha despite overestimating herself as being her families resident techy expert I don't think she completely grasped the way you're supposed to use these things.

Which will probably be the case for most customers? Although turning up on the first occasion without a label is bit odd, what was she expecting to find, a label printer?

I know, plus she said she didn't know the weight of her item, presumably hadn't bothered measuring it either, perhaps she was expecting a mini post office manned by a robot

[Mr Rush]

Royal Mail claims the new post boxes offer a "convenient way" to send small parcels without needing to go to the post office.

And how convenient that this means cutting out an unaffiliated business and retaining all the theoretical profits.

Nothing about the future we are sleepwalking into is about public convenience except in as much as you can convince the public to focus on perceived convenience alone above every negative.

[BenacreNick]

Walk past the post-box into the Post office , it's what they are there for.

[Beanyjazz]

They are absolute shite. I've had a grand total of 2 parcels from 2 boxes on my daily collect (outside POs as well) in the last 3 months.

They're that underused I've been given QR codes to 'scan' the boxes, which I'm supposed to use once a week as to check they're working....Management just can't seem to comprehend why their loyal peasants don't use them more often.

I've had a postmaster telling me he tried to send an item through one (as a reference) and gave up. He was just laughing shaking his head.

All this is to save roughly 12p per parcel from going to the postmasters. Most people don't actually mind queuing for a few mins, so they can natter to the postal clerk and send their parcel, which is done for them, simply, without getting confused and swearing at a post-box outside in the rain....(Even if it means spending an extra 12p for the privilege.)

[heapsy]

As someone who has to empty one of these boxes, I think they are a bad idea. The capacity isn't that great, and the number of letters they now take , has been greatly reduced. I really don't understand why people can't post a parcel during normal hours.

[clashcityrocker]

Walk past the post-box into the Post office , it's what they are there for.

Except then they give you the option of sending it with another courier.

[baldrick]

Walk past the post-box into the Post office , it's what they are there for.

Yeah that's what I'd do. We have one of these now in the High Rd. There is a a PO about a hundred yards away. I'm 75 and not good with new technology like this and I don't have a printer. I can't see many people using these unless it's too far to a PO. But then can't you arrange a collection from your home?

[yellowbelly]

As someone who has to empty one of these boxes, I think they are a bad idea. The capacity isn't that great, and the number of letters they now take , has been greatly reduced. I really don't understand why peopl can't post a parcel during normal hours.

I've seen one of these in a local town on a main street which is known for its late night activity. It's covered in graffiti and sticky substances, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

[adb2aber]

We have one put in over winter. It is right next door to the PO, less than a foot between them.

The solar panel hasn't provided enough power for the scanner the times I've tried to use it and the app tells me I'm not near enough to it to get proof of posting. And the app only keeps the PoP for a month.

The PO staff meanwhile can't move for full sacks between collections.