Tipping the postman at xmas

mathepac wrote: »

Let's be clear here, I never said I would not wish my postman (or woman) a Happy Christmas, I said very clearly I wouldn't be tipping them; sorry you missed my point.

The reason is because largely the same number of people is delivering less letters and earning less revenue from it than in 2005.This is still An Post's core business (they have already failed as a courier company and a bank and we paid for that).

2005 letters core revenue index = 100
2011 letters core revenue index = 81.4 (Source 2011 Annual Report)

So all the individual Postman Pats (counter staff, delivery staff, fat cats, drivers, etc.) are collectively less productive than they were 7 years ago therefore they want / need more money for my stamp, therefore I won't be giving any tips, but I will wish all of them Happy Christmas.

Now wait for the "Oh but I'm just a postie, it's not my fault" responses. To which I might respond, "I'm just a paying-through-the-nose-for-a-so-so-service customer so it's not my fault either Pat, but Happy Christmas anyway."

It wouldn't be a factor in deciding if I would give them a token gift at Xmas, well for me in anyway.

Where To wrote: »

Tips are welcome but not expected.:)

hmmm you wouldn't be a taxi driver

selous wrote: »

I find it all quite funny really, An Post get blamed for bring the bills, but yet it's NOT them that that use's the service, so not our fault.
Have a look at the address on any of the envelopes, ever wrongly address'd and still get it? An Post are paid to deliver PROPERLY and FULLY addressed mail, e.g, house number/name, road name, area, and post code, (if one)
(Not the area you wanted to live in but couldnt afford to buy, or the neighbouring post code cause it was nicer) This all affects the next day delivery that Com-Reg is demanding,) But you still get the wrongly/not addressed letter, BUT maybe you wont, if you dont be nice!!!!!

Ah some sense here as regards the mail volumes and same post staff getting paid the same . That's not fully true , the routes were redesigned when mail volumes fell so an post staff on delivery now in general have a much larger area to cover . I'm working in an post myself . This isn't a post to say "poor postie" but I wonder how many of the moaners would walk 17-18kms a day covering over 1100-1200 houses in rain , snow ice etc . With a large bag on your back , people genuinely moaning because you bring them bills that they've racked up . Moaning you won't deliver to a neighbour , moaning that you do . Moaning you won't sign a reg letter/packet , moaning if you do . Same goes for hiding parcels around back garden etc .

In the christmas rush mail volumes probably increase 3/4 fold at least , there can genuinely be anything up to 50/60 letters per day badly addressed , this goes from no numbers to wrong numbers with no surnames , maiden names of wives with no numbers . I could go on and on . That's the reason a large volume of mail doesn't get to it's christmas destination . Try learning names of said volume of houses and sort out the jigsaw of inappropriate mail every morning as best possible . Try go beyond the call of duty because you'd like to think it makes a difference . Ya it is your job to deliver mail but it's not your job to be sherlock holmes . Those that go the effort of giving a good service do deserve appreciation .

selous wrote: »

I find it all quite funny really, An Post get blamed for bring the bills, but yet it's NOT them that that use's the service, so not our fault.
Have a look at the address on any of the envelopes, ever wrongly address'd and still get it? An Post are paid to deliver PROPERLY and FULLY addressed mail, e.g, house number/name, road name, area, and post code, (if one)
(Not the area you wanted to live in but couldnt afford to buy, or the neighbouring post code cause it was nicer) This all affects the next day delivery that Com-Reg is demanding,) But you still get the wrongly/not addressed letter, BUT maybe you wont, if you dont be nice!!!!!

i've read that a few times and can't make head nor tail. is it just me?

when he starts actually bringing my parcels with him on his rounds and ringing the intercom so i can open the door instead of just posting the "sorry we missed you note", i would consider tipping. on 3 separate occasions i have been waiting on very important parcels and so was watching for the post man when the ****ers dropped pre written sorry notes and walked off, i ran out and the **** didnt even have the packages with them!!!!!!

Father Damo wrote: »

Has the postal service gotten so broke the drivers have to use their own cars now?

Seems so. My postman uses his own car or van. Have never felt need to tip before but bought so much online this year I feel I should.