Signed For

[scorched]

Why do anything to play into their hands? Do the job properly, if it takes longer good, they’ll soon add more work onto you if you’re getting done early because you’re taking shortcuts.

[sindba]

I'm glad to see that some sense has finally entered the thread!

Another thing too, "DWS". This seems to be a thing among some people. In all my time on delivery I was never told that this was something that we should do. "Delivered without signature"? Who makes these things up?!!

It's always been a thing, for people who can't sign but don't want to refuse the item (disability etc).

But since Covid it's become unofficial policy for most items, as this thread shows.

Personally I see no problem with it. You're doing customers a favour. Just don't do it with specials, or packets left in a "safe" place - always get a proper "open door" photo for these. And be prepared for a rollicking if someone complains.

[yellowbelly]

I'm glad to see that some sense has finally entered the thread!

Another thing too, "DWS". This seems to be a thing among some people. In all my time on delivery I was never told that this was something that we should do. "Delivered without signature"? Who makes these things up?!!

This from the (older) PDA guide from about 10 years ago:

Important notes on delivery scans

Customers who cannot sign for items.

If the customer has a disability affecting their ability to use the PDA to sign for items you should:

I. Ask if anyone else is at the delivery address that could sign for the item/s

2. If nobody is available ask if they could provide a mark in the signature box. If this is possible you then enter M A R (Marked As Received) also in the signature box - (select Done)

3. If they are unable to provide their own Mark then you should enter D W S (Delivered Without Signature) and handover the item/s - (select Done)

[LouBarlow]

DWS was supposed to be used on very rare occasions i.e. people who can’t get to the door or have a disability. It wasn’t intended to be used by lazy posties who want to rush around not doing the job properly.

[Mr Blonde]

I was never told about DWS and have never seen that but do recall a discussion along those lines for that reasoning.

I'm now convinced that there are many many people walking along a garden path with an item that requires a signature just scanning it, printing the name on the envelope and thumbing DWS on the PDA before posting it. Pathetic behaviour.

[TopperGas]

DWS was supposed to be used on very rare occasions i.e. people who can’t get to the door or have a disability. It wasn’t intended to be used by lazy posties who want to rush around not doing the job properly.

How can somebody rushing around also be lazy??

[clashcityrocker]

How can somebody rushing around also be lazy??

Imagine you have a midfield player who wants to attack but doesn't want to track back and defend when the need arises.
Rushing forward but lazy in defence.
It isn't too complicated is it?

[Seymour Buts]

I'm less inclined to do it with letters, purely because I've had a few refuse to sign before. One was clearly on the verge of being evicted so refused to sign, and one was in the process of getting divorced and wouldn't sign. The only time I will for those is if there's a ring doorbell and they okay it. For parcels I will though, for those I know are okay with it, I'll do it. I have my own round though. I'd be less inclined to do it as a reserve.

[LouBarlow]

DWS was supposed to be used on very rare occasions i.e. people who can’t get to the door or have a disability. It wasn’t intended to be used by lazy posties who want to rush around not doing the job properly.

How can somebody rushing around also be lazy??

It was a poor pejorative to use in hindsight. People cutting corners by not doing the job correctly, I just don’t understand. As to ‘only signing for parcels’ this is still denying the service that the sender has paid for. They have sent the item requesting a signature from the customer, not the postie. Your contract is still with them ultimately and providing the service they have paid for. I remain unconvinced it is worth risking your job for.

[CarryingMGMT]

DWS was supposed to be used on very rare occasions i.e. people who can’t get to the door or have a disability. It wasn’t intended to be used by lazy posties who want to rush around not doing the job properly.

How can somebody rushing around also be lazy??

It was a poor pejorative to use in hindsight. People cutting corners by not doing the job correctly, I just don’t understand. As to ‘only signing for parcels’ this is still denying the service that the sender has paid for. They have sent the item requesting a signature from the customer, not the postie. Your contract is still with them ultimately and providing the service they have paid for. I remain unconvinced it is worth risking your job for.

Your job is f**ked in every part of the country. I'm still not sure why all your posts on here are basically boot licking senior management and bragging about how great your office is, whilst slagging off the majority of posties on this forum. You are a charlatan of the highest order.

[Redacer]

Great Post.
Royal Mail will hang you out to dry if they want to. They say one thing but want you to do another.
Personally I feel that if you know your customer, you really need to be the regular postman, you should within reason provide the best possible customer care. Customers have told me to leave parcels in a certain spot. I have told them that it would not be safe there and we then in agreement agreed to a safe place. Quite often because it is a rural round it would be in the farm house kitchen which was always left open, therefore there is a high level of trust. Never had a problem but did get a lot of thanks especially during the festive period.
Everybody to their own but be aware Royal Mail will get you if they are after you.

[SpacePhoenix]

I was never told about DWS and have never seen that but do recall a discussion along those lines for that reasoning.

I'm now convinced that there are many many people walking along a garden path with an item that requires a signature just scanning it, printing the name on the envelope and thumbing DWS on the PDA before posting it. Pathetic behaviour.

Probably only a matter of time before RM either axe DWS or have it so that the use of it has to be agreed to by both the sender and recipient beforehand

[dazzler123]

So if I know that someone is going to send me something that I don't want to accept, they know it too so they send it signed for so I can't deny that I've received it yet the postie signs for it and posts it through my door. I would be absolutely furious that I've not been given the opportunity to refuse it.

How has it come to the point where the postman thinks that they are the one who can sign for it?

To be fair, I actually agree with you

I'll never sign for anything that looks like a birthday card ( due to a risk of claims that money has been stolen ) or something that is obvious from the return address is from an employer, bank, court, solicitor, council, police, energy company or debt collector ( due to what you say above - that the recipient may not want to acknowledge receiving the item

guy at our place once signed somebody's eviction letter years ago

[thefox]

DWS was supposed to be used on very rare occasions i.e. people who can’t get to the door or have a disability. It wasn’t intended to be used by lazy posties who want to rush around not doing the job properly.

How can somebody rushing around also be lazy??

It was a poor pejorative to use in hindsight. People cutting corners by not doing the job correctly, I just don’t understand. As to ‘only signing for parcels’ this is still denying the service that the sender has paid for. They have sent the item requesting a signature from the customer, not the postie. Your contract is still with them ultimately and providing the service they have paid for. I remain unconvinced it is worth risking your job for.

Your job is f**ked in every part of the country. I'm still not sure why all your posts on here are basically boot licking senior management and bragging about how great your office is, whilst slagging off the majority of posties on this forum. You are a charlatan of the highest order.

Oooft over to you lou🫣

[Mr Blonde]

I'm less inclined to do it with letters, purely because I've had a few refuse to sign before. One was clearly on the verge of being evicted so refused to sign, and one was in the process of getting divorced and wouldn't sign. The only time I will for those is if there's a ring doorbell and they okay it. For parcels I will though, for those I know are okay with it, I'll do it. I have my own round though. I'd be less inclined to do it as a reserve.

"I didn't receive it, that's not my signature"