Would you like it there tomorrow?

[Lynn Simpson]

Sorry but I am struggling to see what the problem is here?! A customer is asked if they want their item to arrive tomorrow and if they respond 'yes' then they are told that to guarantee delivery tomorrow it will cost the special delivery price! Honest and factual! No wool over eyes or taking advantage of vulnerable customers, just good old fashioned facts! The customer will either then happily pay secure in the knowledge they will have next day delivery or they make further enquires which will be answered equally as honestly by the clerk. Where is the problem here? What would be dishonest is to ask if they want it there tomorrow and when they respond 'yes' then give the impression that first class is likely to arrive the following day when in fact it is equally as likely not to!

If there are clerks out there that think they can return to 'pre-sales' days, they are going to be sadly disappointed. The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy. Whether POL, staff or the public agree with this makes no difference. We have no option but to try to increase sales and offer good customer service otherwise reasonable wages and jobs go out the window. I personally would rather work for a unionised workforce that has good terms and conditions and a decent income as the alternative is far worse. Lets get real and stop moaning. I will go for a sustainable network and job security everytime and if it means taking a few minutes to make customers aware of their options then that is what I intend to do!

[billyhayes]

Agreed Trish...
In our office we're at it all day trying to flog stuff, using the scripts provided by management/POL but 8 out of 10 don't buy it.
As long as the 2 out of 10 do, then alls well.

[fishtank]

What would be dishonest is to ask if they want it there tomorrow and when they respond 'yes' then give the impression that first class is likely to arrive the following day when in fact it is equally as likely not to!

That in itself is a dishonest statement.
Our QofS figures are around the 90-95% mark for first class mail...not 50% as your "equally as likely" statement suggests.
If you mislead customers in the same way it's hardly surprising there are issues.

[demoralisedofessex]

Alway thought that we were skating on thin ice with this service - 'guaranteed' for delivery the next working day, but if it doesn't get there you get your money back.
Hmm, not much of a guarantee, is it?
Bit of a misnoma, really - Maybe Trading Standards should look into RM's use of the word 'guarantee'?

[The BFO]

What would be dishonest is to ask if they want it there tomorrow and when they respond 'yes' then give the impression that first class is likely to arrive the following day when in fact it is equally as likely not to!

That in itself is a dishonest statement.
Our QofS figures are around the 90-95% mark for first class mail...not 50% as your "equally as likely" statement suggests.
If you mislead customers in the same way it's hardly surprising there are issues.

First Class mail
One of the most popular postal services, First Class mail aims to deliver your letter or packet the next working day, including Saturday.
Normally delivers next working day

Source: http://www.royalmail.com/delivery/busin ... class-mail

It seems to me the problem lies with some Branch Managers, ours included, who cannot or will not, allow staff to use their common sense. It is also true to say that some staff, for all sorts of reasons, cannot or will not, make any effort to 'sell' at all.

[POSTMAN]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy.

Is that actually possible,and if it is how?

[PO1]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy.

Is that actually possible,and if it is how?

Cutting staff costs because you ain't gonna do it with sales in a million years.

[The BFO]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy.

Is that actually possible,and if it is how?

Cutting staff costs because you ain't gonna do it with sales in a million years.

Agreed.

[Lynn Simpson]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy.

Is that actually possible,and if it is how?

No probably not

[The BFO]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy.

Is that actually possible,and if it is how?

No probably not

So increased sales of Special Delivery reduces the amount of state aid we require, and is therefore a form of indirect taxation?

[MinisterofCucumber]

The government have made it clear that POL need to be a financially viable business that stands on its own two feet without government subsidy. Whether POL, staff or the public agree with this makes no difference.

I believe Datestamp Trish has a position in the POL CWU. If she does, this statement shows how far away POL CWU is from the rest of the CWU. This authoritarian wing of the CWU believes that the Government should get its way regardless of what the public wants and regardless of what conference has decided should be CWU policy.

POL Area Rep elections take place this Spring. All of these elections should be contested. Last time, only 2 or 3 Area Reps had to trouble themselves with an election. Let's make sure they all have to fight for votes this time.

[Lynn Simpson]

Here we go again MofC. You really do spend most of your time misleading the readers of this forum and you clearly are bitter and grumpy about something so that you see shadows everywhere you look. If you read the statement properly then you will see that there is no mention of the CWU. In fact I think you will find that the unions main agenda is job security whilst I think your main agenda is just to slag off the union any chance you get.

There is no postal service in the world that is not subsidised by the government and I personally believe it will be impossible to sustain without increased commitment from the government. POL is after all a public service that many disadvantaged people rely on. However it does not mean we can afford to be complacent as the government will not invest in a business that continues to seep money.

Get your facts right about me personally and it would also be nice if you could quote me accurately.

Finally I find it amusing how you think everyone who does not agree with you is a CWU rep? Members from the counter can read you know. We can also think for ourselves actually!

[MinisterofCucumber]

Who is misleading who?

Posters on this thread are questioning the wisdom of mandatory upselling a product that they know a lot of their customers don't need and they are worried that this will impact negatively on our prime selling point, that the public trusts the Post Office.

I quoted your exact words and the gist of your initial response was that everyone should do it and not questions orders (which are to be obeyed at all times).

I am a trade unionist and I support the CWU. However, I believe that POL CWU is letting the members down and that is why I will be standing as Area Rep and I hope others who feel the same way will stand in their areas.

You accuse me of misleading and misquoting but it is you who are pushing a misleading sales tactic and it is you who are misleading and misinterpreting what I have written. I'm not worried (or bitter or grumpy come to that) because any counters clerks reading this thread can judge for themselves who comes across as more trustworthy, me or you.

[Lynn Simpson]

Correct me if I am wrong but you work in a Cash Centre. It shows that you have never worked on the counter and know nothing about how it works.
I suggest you find out more about the ability of Counter clerks to word their sales pitch in their own words which is why it really should not be a problem. If they are asked to do something unreasonable then they should phone their rep who will deal with it! In my experience, CWU reps are on the side of their members.

Sorry MofC, it really is hard to take you seriously. I can't be bothered to get into a debate with someone who tries to be populist without being realistic. I hope I live in your area and get to see the promises you make in your election material because if it is as amusing and off the wall as your posts on here then I am sure the members will see through you because believe it or not, my counter colleagues and I would love to go back to just being a service provider but unfortunately that would result in us not having jobs at all and quite frankly we have bills to pay and a job that has decent terms and conditions and I am voting for someone who will help to give me a secure future!!

[PO1]

I suggest you find out more about the ability of Counter clerks to word their sales pitch in their own words which is why it really should not be a problem.....my counter colleagues and I would love to go back to just being a service provider but unfortunately that would result in us not having jobs at all and quite frankly we have bills to pay and a job that has decent terms and conditions and I am voting for someone who will help to give me a secure future!!

But the problem is Trish we're not being allowed to put things in our own words anymore. Our "conversations" are not good enough because they don't generate enough sales for our lords and masters. So the push for the hard sell has started, no more the gentle proding, it's more a sign here and have it now or take the pennies off their eyes if need be.

Sales will not work in every office by the very nature of the different and diverse customers we deal with, the very thing that makes the Post Office unique amongst the high street. Until they wake up and realise that fact they'll continue to waste money hand over fist having useless meetings and story telling sessions from the bottomless pit of money that surrounds these "Sales" people.

Oh, and as for the secure future and decent terms and conditions, I don't think so. The transformation/mutualisation talks will put an end to that no matter what we do. The aim is for profit at the expense of your terms and conditions. Do you really think that they'll continue to pay nearly £11 per hour when they can get the job done for the minimum wage?