Post Office "While you were out cards"

That's definitely not true, because I've had parcels delivered by the postmen and couriers all the time. However, as we live in a quite rural area, the postmen are usually going around in their wee vans, so it's probably easier to carry the parcels around.

Ditto for where I live, which is pretty rural.  The postmen are generally easy-going and helpful, and they get to know when neighbors are friendly with each other and will leave parcels with them if nobody happens to be home.  I'll often sign and accept a package for my neighbors when they're out, and vice versa.  The same goes for the regular delivery drivers for the independent couriers.

However, as I discovered a couple of months ago, Royal Mail no longer allows postmen to collect any money due, so if you have an international package which has customs duty/VAT due on it, it will stay at the post office until the tax is paid.   You now just get the card delivered, giving the option of going the the post office to pay the fees and collect, or paying the fees through their online system or by mail, then they'll deliver it. 

If we have a larger parcel, that invariably comes to us through some other service (like Parcel Force which is, I think, run by Royal Mail?). 

Yes, Parcel Force was created as the separate division for larger packages when the Post Office's functions were divided up some years ago, so if you go to the Post Office and send a package using the "Standard Parcels" service, it will be delivered by Parcel Force.

Our regular Parcel Force guy here is very helpful, and will try to leave packages with neighbors if he can.  Sometimes we'll put a note on our doors if we're expecting a package, have to go out, and know that a neighbor will be home all day. 

I even had one time when I was passing through another village about a mile from here on my way home, saw the Parcel Force van heading the opposite way back toward town, and he flashed at me to stop as he'd just been here trying to deliver and none of my neighbors happened to be home.

That's definitely not true, because I've had parcels delivered by the postmen and couriers all the time. However, as we live in a quite rural area, the postmen are usually going around in their wee vans, so it's probably easier to carry the parcels around.

OK, I exaggerate!

I once waited for a package from the US that I needed by a certain date. The postman never left a note.  I knew approximately when it was supposed to arrive, so after plenty of time, I called to see why I never received it.  They said they left a note (they didn't).  After 9 days or something, it then gets returned to the sender.  Can't say I'm a fan of the postal system.

Our post is often delivered to neighbours and we often get next door's.  This seems to be because our terrace is not clearly numbered at the back but the postman will not go to the front (where it is) because the paths are longer. We have one set of enumeration (for the street address) and one set of enumeration for the terrace itself.
So, giving the posties the benefit of the doubt, it is possible that they did leave a card -- but at your neighbour's. I'm not convinced though.

Your friendly postman here. for a parcel that is too big to go through the letterbox i usually knock on the door/ring the bell then wait about a minute . i then knock or ring again and if there is no reply ,then i post a p739 (red) card through the door . Sometimes if i know the customer i leave the parcel in a recycling bin or at a neighbours house ,leaving a card telling The customer where their parcel is .
 

Good to see you, G!

thanks 

My roommates and I are absolutely at our wits-end with the post. Long story short, our packaged which is already over a month late, was supposed to be at a post office nearby last Friday. I went, they didn't have it. We call the Royal mail and they don't know where it is!!!! That means we have to wait for Virgin to send us another modem, so maybe we'll receive it by the time the lease it up.

rynn - this has happened to us 3 times... Not that it makes it any better, but you're definitely not the only one!!  It's absolutely disgraceful.

I blame not having screen/storm doors in the UK.  In the US packages often get stuffed inside the screen door, which usually works pretty well.

I blame not having screen/storm doors in the UK.  In the US packages often get stuffed inside the screen door, which usually works pretty well.

yep... thieves know exactly where to look!

yep... thieves know exactly where to look!

The thieves are at the post office who won't give me my mail

I blame not having screen/storm doors in the UK. 

You sure it doesn't have something to do with mixer taps too?!   

Your friendly postman here. for a parcel that is too big to go through the letterbox i usually knock on the door/ring the bell then wait about a minute . i then knock or ring again and if there is no reply ,then i post a p739 (red) card through the door . Sometimes if i know the customer i leave the parcel in a recycling bin or at a neighbours house ,leaving a card telling The customer where their parcel is .

Good to see you back, whiteknight!

Yes, I've often had parcels left in the shed by my postie ... it's helpful to be on good terms with your postman!

Good to see you back, whiteknight!

Yes, I've often had parcels left in the shed by my postie ... it's helpful to be on good terms with your postman!

I agree with both things!