Australia - Knock the postman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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So we aren't the only ones accused of this practice.



Ah, it's that most wonderful time of the year, when the Australia Post contractors are so very busy that they pre-write delivery failure notices and drive straight up to letter boxes to drop them in, thus never needing to get out of their vans, or do so much as press a buzzer.

Wait. That's year round. My mistake.

I watched one of these fine, upstanding employees this afternoon, dropping the ''Whoops, we missed you'' notice in my letter box. I would have chased after him but he took off so fast there was never any real chance I'd catch him.

Talking to friends, I discovered that everyone has a slightly different opinion as to whether this is allowed.

They're not allowed to be out of sight of their vehicles, so they're allowed to not buzz if getting to the doorbells requires that; they must always attempt delivery, but they don't even carry the packages with them because they're not required to do so with apartments.

I'm so confused. So is everyone, apparently.

I'm tired, too, of racing to the post office after receiving one of these notices, only to be told that the contractor hasn't returned yet, and won't be there before 5pm, so I'll have to come back tomorrow. But I don't have time to come tomorrow. I'm here today. My notice says today.

I know these people are overworked, particularly at this time of year, and it isn't the fault of the Australia Post staff who bear the brunt of my frustration when I go to the post office. But if the work isn't getting done because people are too busy, hire more staff. Fix something.

What I want from them is not so difficult: I want to avoid a trek to the post office unless I really am not home to receive something. I want packages delivered.

If I miss them I want them at the post office before 5pm so I can pick them up that day. Is that so hard?

Don't get me started on companies that insist on courier delivery, so there's not even the option to pick something up from the post office. Perhaps Australia Post has something in its favour after all.