Letter: Failure to deliver

Letter: Failure to deliver
From The Independent May 28th, 2001
Alan Godfrey

Sir: Until a few weeks ago, my publishing company spent about pounds 14,000 a year on postage, split roughly 50-50 between Royal Mail and Parcelforce. I have to say we have always found the delivery and collection staff friendly and helpful, and the service very reliable. However, one or two small problems arose with Parcelforce admin, and I suggested that, after several years of my custom, it was time a sales rep visited to discuss our contract.
Despite repeated requests, including one to head office, this was refused and I was told that it was “not policy for the sales staff to meet the customers”. Perhaps Consignia (what a stupid name) saw us as too small to bother with, but other companies were less disdainful; both TNT and Initial Citylink had salesmen round within 24 hours of my phone call.
So the arrogant laziness of Parcelforce management has, at a stroke, lost our business. All they will keep is the odd parcel, via a post office, to Northern Ireland or overseas. No wonder Post Office staff are fed up.