In our modern times it still amazes me that one can drop a packet off at a post office or put a letter in a post box and like magic it turns up at the intended destination. We take this service for granted and yet it still seems to work. Okay, there may be a few mishaps and at times things may go utterly wrong but when one takes into account the millions of items that are mailed every day then the percentages are very low. This isn’t an excuse but an inevitable truth. Every business has problems and bugbears and its something we have to live with or insure against.

The increase in online shopping has seen a massive shift in how the Mail Services around the world operate and packets are quickly replacing the decline in letters but how many of us spare a thought when clicking on the buy button on the website? How many recipients make provisions for their parcels  to be received without having the need for a notice to be left stating an attempt was made to deliver your goods but you were not at home?

The Mail Delivery Person is in a loose, loose, loose situation and is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. If the customer is not at home then there is the dilemma of finding somewhere to leave the item, doorstep or take it back to the depot. Unless the goods are given directly to the customer then they could be stolen, damaged by the weather or left undetected and that just is no good for anyone. However, if the item is returned to the office then the householder has the hassle of trundling across town, asking for a redelivery or arranging for their goods to be returned to the sender. But what alternative can there be? Go to a shop, browse, choose what you want and carry it home? At least one is safe in the knowledge you will be at home to accept the delivery as it is you who is delivering.

The amount of times I hear people complain that they were in and a card was put through their letterbox and the delivery person didn’t ring the bell or knock. Its all very well being “at home” but when you hear a knock at the door then you have to open the door and acknowledge the presence of a delivery. Its not the fault of the delivery person or visitor if your doorbell doesn’t work or can’t be heard in some part of the house or garden. Maybe music was playing or one was taking a shower. There are any number of reasons but its definitely a two way street. Does anyone really think that these guys want to take back all of their delivery without attempting to give it to the awaiting customer?

As for dogs and pets. These on the whole are nice, friendly or restrained creatures owned by considerate and responsible people. There are some who this seems below them and it is, in their minds, acceptable for professionals to be attacked and injured in their line of duty. I can tell you this is not acceptable and it is not the animal’s fault but the ignorant human owners and they should receive much harsher punishments.

Throughout the year the mail continues to travel. Every delivery person has to endure all the season changes, weather and traffic chaos that is experienced every day and at times some things can get damaged as a result. It is a fact of life and there is little that can be done to prevent this.

Oh and now for a bit of a rant at the lack of common sense observed by some senders. Don’t expect a package wrapped in flimsy paper to get to its destination. Think about it. Address things properly and plan for the worse. You only have yourself to blame.

The next time you click online or open the door to a smiling delivery person spare a thought for what goes on behind the scenes to ensure everything goes to plan. It may appear to be magic but a lot of hard work and experienced planning goes on before the final reveal.