The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Why is this government trying to starve the Post Office of business?

First it was the closure of hundreds of sub post offices and now much of the Post Office’s traditional service is being taken away.

In the not too distant future the savings account is due to cease and that will also mean that those of us who use a piece of plastic to draw our pension or benefits at the Post Office won’t be able to do so. We will have to use our bank accounts.

That is for the future but what is happening right now is that as from the end of this month we will no longer be able to renew our TV License at the Post Office. Instead we can renew the license at over 15,000 supermarkets, petrol stations, local stores, newsagents and convenience stores where the PayPoint sign is displayed.

Or we can set up a Direct Debit or pay on-line or by phone.

What is going to be next? The payment of bills like electricity, gas and water or opt for DD.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

I'm quite happy for the post office to be concentrating on more of it's core business, posting things.

Furthermore, the post office got their best profit ever in 2005. I don't think it is dieing, specialy with all the new business generated by internet buying.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Good answer.
Lea
x

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Isn't it just another way of weakening the fabric of British society.
Cyfr.......I'm sure the volume of letters has fallen since the advent of e-mail....and it may fall yet further when the new postal charges come into effect on the 21st of August......prices hardly ever come down do they?
A lot of parcels and mail come by courier now....so what core business are they hoping to retain?

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Margaret I understand that im sure there is a lot less letters than there could be. However I think people under estimate how much the post office is used for parcels, I really do. Many of the online businesses use them and MILLIONS of people on ebay use them to post things. Thats why I think the core business still exists :)

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I buy stuff on the internet and you would be surprised how often it is TNT doing the delivery.
I am in favour of them not pushing products like Motor Insurance, Phone cards and the sundry other services that you are encouraged to purchase when you go in to post a parcel or letter....but I think they should maintain the ability for pensioners to pick up their pensions, and the facility to pay bills etc. Many pensioners have no internet access and find other forms of payment confusing. I remember when there used to be Gas showrooms and Electric Board showrooms in almost every town.......and years ago that is where you paid your bills. When these closed, we were told.....'don't worry, you'll be able to pay your bills at the good old post office'......the post office is a british institution.......and certainly the older people won't want it to disappear.

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My mum is 79 and disabled....she takes a taxi down to the GPO to get her pension.......yes she has a bank account....at the Yorkshire Bank....can't get her wheelchair up the steps.
And whenever we go away the first place she looks for is the Post Office so that she can get her pension while we are away....I haven't seen any Yorkshire banks down south.
Cyfr, you only need to go into the main post office on any day of the week to see pensioners getting their money AND paying their bills.......so yes the demise of these services will seriously affect them.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

The ability to pay utility bills in a post office and a local one at that was great for Mr & Mrs Public. No more trips to town to pay. Get your pension, pay your bills and go home. If you get mugged on the way home at least you’ve paid your bills.

But the whole situation has just about come full circle. Local post offices closing so it’s back to town to collect and pay. At least we could do them both in the same place. Soon we will have to go to our bank, withdraw the cash then find a PayPoint shop to pay a bill. Although as far as I am aware you can still pay utility bills at your bank.

So it’s a loss for the post office and a gain for the banks. Don’t they make enough money already?

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Sorry Margaret, have to disagree with the right of pensioners to pick up 'their pension' at the Post Office. Time moves on and and I have mine put into my Bank Account .. so convenient. New pensioners of today, and indeed, over the last 20 years are conversant with the art of banking, direct debits, standing order, etc and if they aren't, plenty of help around. Television licences by direct debit give me the release of trailing to the post office now and no danger of forgetting.. so easy. Pay most of my bills this way, it's great.
If they then wish to draw cash, usually a cash point so much nearer to them.
For instance, should the Co-op in Oswaldtwistle be granted these services and you lived around the war memorial .. wouldn't have to go down to Church or to the top climbing the incline, can nip across to the Co-op, do your shopping, pay for your T.V. licence and draw out cash at the same time. All sounds much more convenient to me.

Find it a pain in the ass when I have to tax my car and no getting out of going to the Post Office then. Usually, lunch-time of course, and held up by a line of pensioners collecting their pension, counting it out at the counter and carefully placing in their wallets, purses ... for all to see !!

Just think they can't be bothered for it to go through the bank and being awkward for the sake of it, much safer too. These type of pensioners are probably the ones that keep their money under their mattresses.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Katex...I like it ....you always tell it like it is. And while some pensioners find that they can do their banking in the usual way.....AT a bank..... there are some that find the process confusing and intimidating......and I do banking for my Mum, but she still gets her pension via the PO....mainly because she finds that easier. Ok, we may find the pensioner an inconvenience...especially if we are in a hurry, but we have to remember that there, but for the grace of God, go you and me.
I hope not to be in the position of not being able to pay my bills online....and to be able to get out to the bank....but you never know do you?

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You would be surprised at the number of youngish pensioners who do not trust direct debit (I am one of them)....so that is one option out of the window....not everyone has access to online transactions....and with telephone bill paying....how many buttons do you have to rerss before you get through to a real person.
And in my limited experience, these are all barriers to pensioners getting a good service.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Wasn't really grumbling about having to wait, just threw that in .. however .. always feel a little dangerous for them (whoops .. me now:) ).

Direct debit is just soooo easy and don't need a degree and no need to go out anywhere to pay your bills.

Jambutty: not bothered if the banks are making too much money in sending direct debits through them .. worth every penny they make for the convenience.

Edit: Can't remember the last time I had any need to go to the bank ?

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When you are on a limited budget...as most pensioners are, you sometimes have to prioritise the bills that you pay....no I am not saying don't pay the bills, but what I am saying is that sometimes pensioners will pay a bill a few days later....with direct debit that option would not be available.It is about having control of your money. If it becomes a choice between paying the gas bill and eating....then the gas bill may have to wait....and this is becoming ever more likely in the current energy(no pun intended) situation. I have had a bad experience with Direct debit....and although it was the fault of the bank I will not use direct debit again

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Quote:

Sorry Margaret, have to disagree with the right of pensioners to pick up 'their pension' at the Post Office. Time moves on and and I have mine put into my Bank Account .. so convenient. New pensioners of today, and indeed, over the last 20 years are conversant with the art of banking, direct debits, standing order, etc and if they aren't, plenty of help around. Television licences by direct debit give me the release of trailing to the post office now and no danger of forgetting.. so easy. Pay most of my bills this way, it's great. If they then wish to draw cash, usually a cash point so much nearer to them. For instance, should the Co-op in Oswaldtwistle be granted these services and you lived around the war memorial .. wouldn't have to go down to Church or to the top climbing the incline, can nip across to the Co-op, do your shopping, pay for your T.V. licence and draw out cash at the same time. All sounds much more convenient to me. Find it a pain in the ass when I have to tax my car and no getting out of going to the Post Office then. Usually, lunch-time of course, and held up by a line of pensioners collecting their pension, counting it out at the counter and carefully placing in their wallets, purses ... for all to see !! Just think they can't be bothered for it to go through the bank and being awkward for the sake of it, much safer too. These type of pensioners are probably the ones that keep their money under their mattresses.

It is a long while since I read such a selfish and self centred post #9 as yours katex. It highlights just how far down the me, me, me, me, me road society has progressed.

Pensioners have exactly the same rights as anyone else including you. If those rights include getting their pension at the post office and it means you have to queue behind them whilst they diligently and carefully put away their money then that is just tough. Your answer is not to go at lunchtime. Go on the way home from work. In any case most pensioners are clear of the post office by late morning.

I don’t like Direct Debit because I have been burned in the past. OK! So I did get my money back - eventually - but it cost ME time and money to do so. I have also been burned when using a local shop to buy gas credits on a card meter. My purchases never arrived at the gas company and when I finally managed to get my meter changed to a quarterly one I got a shocking bill that included a demand for money I had already paid. That too took ages to sort out and it also cost me time and money in phone calls and letters.

What if you lived at the bottom end of Union Road?

Most pensioners are not awkward for the sake of it they are just old and not quite as quick in thought and deed as they used to be. One day, with a bit of luck you might become a pensioner yourself and I suppose you will then whinge at the younger people as they push past you on the street or in a supermarket aisle.

Is this what I served in the Navy for and worked damned hard all my life at the expense of my health, to be treated like some pariah?

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

It will be a shame if the post office is franchised and loses its Crown status. Its advantageous that the town has a Crown Post Office and is an advert of the Borough's status. It will be the loss of more quality jobs and the likelehood of employment beng minimum wage. Something that does the Borough no good and or the morale of skilled staff. Some services at the top end will be lost but the biggest risk is lack of quality, less staff, longer queues, impatient children demanding uneccessary eye level products or having to push pass rows of books, biscuits or tins to get to the two counters that remain in the far corner.

Its all part of the race to the bottom that we are told is inevitable and to accept.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Well, if you care to take a look at my age, you will notice that I am already a pensioner Jambutty, but, unfortunately, not in a postion yet to retire.

I don't think I am particularly a selfish person, just trying to say that 'new' pensioners (like myself) and for the past twenty years are used to paying through direct debits, etc. Yes, I know, they do go wrong sometimes and you have to keep a watchful eye on your statements, never had any trouble myself though. Sorry made the remark about waiting .. can't go after work anyway, shuts before I finish, but not really safe is it ?

I don't think it would be very difficult, for the people say over 80 to pay in this type of safer way, Margaret helps her mum to get to the Post Office, sure she can help set up different modes of payment or depositing.

As to budgeting, well, I am not a financial wizard by any means, but I now know how much is going in and total payments per month going out on certain dates and how much each week will be left over for food, and saving for maintenance, etc... and all written down for me in a twice monthly statement, or weekly if you require it.

I don't think you are a Pariah Jambutty, but you certainly have sharp teeth :D

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Again no need to pay this way is there ? .. Never know, next step might be that when Tesco delivers your 'You shop, we Drop' shopping, they might come along with their Pay Pal details too.. Ok, need the Internet for that one, but lots of pensioners do have it .. take Jambutty for instance.:)

I think going to the Post Office for your pension will eventually die out naturally anyway as we lose our older citizens.

Would be curious to know the statistics of how many pensioners go the Post Office still for their cash against those who get it forwarded to their bank account. Bet the percentage is dropping.

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Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

A bit of a thread wander here but a plea too ;JAMBUTTY! ! please stop writing your posts in miniature fonts! I am not blind but it's too small for even my contact lenses to cope with and as a result the post never gets read to the conclusion.Do yourself a favour mate and go large!:cool:

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Race to the bottom! Now that’s an interesting concept g_jones. I know that you salt-of-the-earth working classes and we useless pensioners were being marginalized but I didn’t realise it was a race to see who would sink first. Race you to the bottom!

I wasn’t aware that you were a pensioner katex. You know the one thing that I never do is look at the member’s personal profiles. I take members at face value and learn about them as I go along. Maybe I should start to dig deeper?

However to get back to the point. The older you get the more difficult it is to go with the flow and we pensioners don’t like changes too much. I’m one of the lucky ones in that I still have both my brains cells in working order (the memory is a bit iffy at times though) and I can fight my corner but I am the exception rather than the rule although that will change as the years go by. I’m also a financial wizard in that I manage my finances to my requirements. Nah! That’s not being a wizard more like doing something that I have done successfully all my life – living within my means.

Sharp teeth eh! You should have seen my left hook before I decided that boxing wasn’t my scene. Seriously though I will fight my corner, against the odds if necessary.

I know loads of middle aged people to whom a computer and the Internet is a complete mystery and I also know of many pensioners with a similar disposition.

Collecting your pension at the Post Office has another asset. For many pensioners, particularly those who have lost their spouse, going to the Post Office is just one of two occasions when they leave their home and see other people. The other being when they go for the weekly shopping. To some it is a welcome change where for just a few minutes they don’t feel quite so isolated. The same could be said for young mums whose feller is at work or they haven’t got a live in feller.

I’m not saying that having a pension paid into a bank is wrong or bad – you still have to attend some place or other to get hold of real spendable cash. What I am saying is that to many, many people it is convenient in so many ways.

You will recall the brouhaha when wages were paid in a wage packet full of real cash and everyone opted for bank payments instead. Change always brings a dissenting outcry.

lindsay ormerod my posts are in Times New Roman 12 point and that translates to size 3 on the forum. On my computer they are the same size as other posts so either you have a problem with your machine or you are winding me up. I have seen my own posts on someone else’s computer and they have never been so small that they couldn’t be read.

However I do know that most times when I paste my post into the reply field the last paragraph comes out in size 2 and I have to change it to size 3.

Re: The Post Office Is Dying. Long Live The PO.
 

Can compromise, by getting pension paid into bank account and bills can be paid by POST .. tee hee. This way don't always have to pay at once (Margaret's point) and get a trip to the Post Office at the same time.

Phew .. feel like Solomon.

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With jobs under pressure from overseas, aggresive consumerism at home (what happenned to Buy British?) more and more people are getting despondent about decent jobs, decent pay. Everything is not about what is best but what is cheapest. What corners can be cut. Its no surprise that the the gap between rich and poor is widening at an alarming rate. It feels sometimes like it's not Great Britain, but just Britain.

I am told Post Office counter staff do 128 transactions compared to 67 by bank staff per day. However some company says it can do the GPO cheaper so thats it, franchised.

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This is a good thread.........but allow me to ask, why do good threads sometimes appear to get a bit 'bad tempered'.
There are many hues of opinion....and none of them are exactly right....they are just opinions.......and we are all entitled to one....and to express it on Accyweb. Let's be good natured about it.

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You’ve hit a raw nerve with me there g_jones about the widening gap between the rich and the poor. But this is not the place to continue on that theme.

The counter staff at the Daren Post Office are all Asian except for one. But they are courteous and friendly and most of them know their stuff about all the post offices services that are available. Not that I have tried them all.

Yep! It’s all about money these days and profit for shareholders and not forgetting the huge salaries of the top dogs.

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I thought the post office is a pay point so you can still pay your tv licence there, Is that not true?

I don't agree with being forced to take business to a bank. The post office should become a bank or building society in a permanent sense, getting rid of accounts, not being able to pay this or that, it's getting ridiculas.
This is why we all as members on nationwide voted against us being turned in to a bank, even though I'd have gotten two thousand plus from it. In order to manage your finances you need a reliable free way to do it.
I want the post office kept open for all business for all ages.

I also see that they plan to charge you on SIZE of your letters and parcels now as well as weight.

I do a lot of mail order buying, especially doing the streets christmas lights display, but I've never recieved a parcel from tnt yet, nearly always the post office.

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A facetious response to a post breeds a similar response back as does a nasty one. Likewise a pleasant reply breeds a nice answer.

Sadly some people set out to wind others up or present their opinion as a hard fact and cannot stand an opposing view. It’s called being human I guess.

Some people do not know how to discus an issue and resort to personal remarks when they cannot put forward a coherent point.

Then you have the know-it-all Johnny with an answer for everything whom has to labour their point come what may.

I’m a responder and come back in kind.

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Good for you jambutty but what has that got to do with the post office or this thread or is it a response to me?

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The reason I say about the pay point is that whenever I've payed my gas bill there over the last few years they have used a paypoint machine to do it.

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You can order your tax disc on line now at the DVLA Katex, just need debit or credit card and the details on your reminder. The only thing that will stop you able to do it online is if your insurance is due for renewal soon after the tax disc is due. I did my last one on line and it came through pretty quickly. And if for any reason it gets lost in the post you won't be prosecuted due to the DVLA having proof that you have purchased it :D

Sorry that was off thread :o

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Not quite off topic harwood red. Well sort of but I don’t mind because your information could be useful. I seem to vaguely remember that the tax disc buying facility at a post office is also under threat.

Today is pension day for me and I got to the Darwen Post Office at around 11:30am. I joined a queue some 25 people strong and only two other people were obvious pensioners. So 3 out of 25 isn’t exactly what some people have intimated. In any case I think that people will find that most pensioners like to get to the Post Office early. They have spent a lifetime getting up early for work and after 50 years or so it is a difficult to break such a long established habit.

I don’t have that problem. I get up when my body has had enough sleep and that could be at any time between 6:00am and noon. It all depends on the previous day’s exertion and what time I fell into bed. However if I happen to get up early (a rare occurrence) I still delay my Post Office visit until late morning because I can pick up a Telegraph at the same time.

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ignorant and double standards.

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It has always been the case of only a select few actually do the tax discs anyway... which can be a pain if you are not quite sure which ones do and which ones don't!!!! :mad:

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Thanks for that HR .. will look next time Car Tax due for renewal.

Which reminds me, must renew my passport .. better look this up too .. are the forms only available at the Post Office too ? Gosh, was it ten years hence; well, yes, only have to look at me photo !

Another experience I encountered a few weeks back was trying to claim my winnings on a National Lottery ticket... was over £ 500 :D and they tell you to go to the Post Office to obtain monies.

Off I trot to Oswaldtwistle, waited in the queue 'patiently' only to be told do not pay out here. They informed me would have to go to the General in Accrington. Oh well, no time this lunch time.

Set out next day to General, waited 'patiently' in queue until 'Counter No 5' was called out .. "Oh, we used to do it, but not now". "Then where" asks I?"
"Try the stall in the Market Hall".

Polite young lady (wonder if Ploppy?) informs me, "No, do not have the forms available here, think it is the post office on Blackburn Road" Two ladies directed me to it ... seems opposite the old Grammar School site.

Travel slowly along Blackburn Road ... "Ah, yes !. there it is on my left". Can't turn up any of the side streets for a while as they have barricaded these across, and double yellow plus crossing. Find nearest left turn .. gosh, it's all changed! Backtrack parrallel to Blackburn Road. Manage to park up and walk down to Post Office.

Yes ! Bingo! (well Lotto actually)

Cheque paid to me with a smile, professionally and smartly .. although have to wait until a Senior gentleman is available.

Anyway, if you are lucky to win over £500 and under £50,000 .. I think .. then ya' know where to go in Hyndburn.

Wasn't much over the £500 so gold-diggers need not apply :)

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congratulations, must feel like you really had to work to get it tho after all that faffing about :)