subject: Longer queues at Post Offices are good news for parcel delivery firms [print this page] Longer queues at Post Offices are good news for parcel delivery firms
Many people have been affected by the closure of a local post office in recent years. While it is unarguable that these were being run at a loss, nevertheless, the demise of an important community facility has forced many people to seek alternatives for sending their parcels and letters. While there is still no alternative to the Post Office when sending the latter for most people, the picture for both domestic and international delivery of parcels is much different.
Finding themselves unable to take their larger items for delivery to a local post office, they are increasingly turning to courier companies to take the strain. And when the advantages offered by many of these operators are considered, that is little surprise. To begin with, they will arrange to come and collect a package from wherever the sender wishes, at a time which suits them. While no delivery company will promise a set time pick-up, unless a sizeable premium is paid, the ability to specify a morning or afternoon collection, or one before a certain time of the day certainly means people don't have to write off substantial amounts of time spent waiting for the courier to arrive.
With larger items, of course, there was always the problem of transporting them to the nearest post office or sorting centre. With a little advance notice, a delivery company will send a vehicle out to collect them, saving the sender a great deal of trouble. Another major problem that people are increasingly encountering with the disappearance of many smaller post offices, is that the queues in the larger ones are steadily growing. These periods spent waiting can have a serious impact on a company for whom time is money. It makes far more sense to have an item collected when it better suits them, which also gives the extra benefit of a member of staff not having to go out of their way to get an item to the nearest post office, and spend time waiting in that queue.
Staff at larger post offices, who are also under greater pressure to serve this growing number of customers, might also not be able to offer the same thoroughness of service as was once available at a local office, where it was likely that someone behind the counter knew you, and would, over time, get to know the services which were most appropriate. In short, the best way of getting the level of service which is most appropriate for individual needs is to use a trusted delivery company.
Greater demand has led to customers having a wider choice of delivery companies for their needs. In turn, these companies now compete with the established UK mail providers of cheap shipping services.
