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Posted by: On the edge Nov 19 2013, 06:54 PM

Newbury Post Office has just one 'self service' machine. Great way to avoid the compulsory long queue, but I've never yet found it working! Why not put a notice on it at least? This would save the uninitiated a few minutes trying to follow the badly written instructions. But no, apparently the staff are 'not allowed' to do this. Apparently, the machine stops when members of the public break it! Sadly, Post Office officialdom gives state sponsored monopolies a bad name; regrettably we can't go anywhere else.

Posted by: user23 Nov 19 2013, 07:43 PM

Isn't it a private company now?

Posted by: Exhausted Nov 19 2013, 08:38 PM

Isn't the Post Office a different lot from Royal Mail, which latter has been privatised.

Posted by: Nothing Much Nov 19 2013, 08:55 PM

Why not put a notice on it at least?

Along the lines of "This machine does not dispense Jaffa Cakes or Yorkie Bars."
That would sort out the uninitiated.
ce

Posted by: On the edge Nov 19 2013, 08:58 PM

Big difference between the words 'privatisation' and 'competition' - many people just don't get that; certainly not Post Office managers.

Real competition would be letting anyone take on the business.

Posted by: MontyPython Nov 19 2013, 09:02 PM

It'll take a while to get rid of the Public sector "Couldn't give a toss" attitude though!

Posted by: motormad Nov 19 2013, 10:33 PM

Went into Thatcham Broadway to get some Salad Cream today
Opening Times of the post office written by hand on some paper and taped onto the door... nice.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 09:39 AM

Never a long queue on the occasions I have been in there.

Machine broken because people using it break it? Hardly the Post Office's fault.

Instructions badly written? Matter of opinion really.

There are many alternatives to going to the post office.

Yes, the staff could have stuck an 'Out of Order' sign on the machine. Yet, if you have not yet found it working, surely your expectation of finding it working was misplaced?

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 20 2013, 10:10 AM

WOW!
When do you go in?
Let me in on your secret.
Obviously not at around lunch time when a lot of people want to use the facilities but the staff go to lunch as well leaving 1 or 2 positions open!

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 10:12 AM

3 days ago, about 4:30.

Posted by: Strafin Nov 20 2013, 11:41 AM

Not a chance.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 20 2013, 11:44 AM

Ho Ho Ho Mr Smug!

Have to agree with you though, this epitomises customer service in Newbury. Second best, nah, not when we can have second rate.

I simply hate bad management and its consequence dreadful customer service. Lets everyone down.


NB - machine design is a skilled job. Where customers are concerned, operation should be intuitive. So poor instructions are not simply opinion. I could go on, but unless you really understand what good service means you won't get it.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:20 PM

I don't disagree. Problem is people can be rather thick.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:22 PM

Every chance. Monday. Could have been 4:40.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 20 2013, 12:33 PM

.....particularly those who think they can design machines without any understanding.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:38 PM

You are right. Peope designing machines should accept that certain people are too stupid to be trusted to use them properly & design accordingly.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 20 2013, 12:40 PM

Lucky then, or you have the enviable option to go out of core hours.


IF that is the reason, but that doesn't take in to account how long this has been the case.


OR a matter of fact.


That list gets smaller when you have something tangible to send.


He also didn't explain how often. this is the case, although it is not clear he expected it to be working, perhaps he hope it was the case. However, it doesn't negate his OP's argument.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:42 PM

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 20 2013, 12:43 PM

Quote properly or sod off

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:44 PM

LOL.

You sod off.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 20 2013, 12:45 PM

No, you.

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 12:45 PM

I'll get my dad.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 20 2013, 12:46 PM

So? Mine's an ex-boxer and he'll have your dad.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 20 2013, 12:48 PM

Sorry OTE, yes, I agree, your experience is often similar when trying to get air in your tyres, or car washes, etc. I'm not sure this issue is management, but a lack of investment. Some purposely avoid having 'OoO' messages to stop things looking 'untidy'!

Posted by: MontyPython Nov 20 2013, 01:53 PM

You expect us to believe you know who he is?

Posted by: motormad Nov 20 2013, 02:37 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJTyyhcNeNY

Posted by: On the edge Nov 20 2013, 03:21 PM

Good point! Years ago, I used to work with someone who always flatly refused to apologise for anything as 'it puts the firm in a bad light'!! Fortunately she's now long retired.

Posted by: JeffG Nov 20 2013, 03:56 PM

Oh, no you didn't!

Posted by: On the edge Nov 20 2013, 05:36 PM

Very glad she 's not behind me either!!!

Posted by: MontyPython Nov 20 2013, 06:41 PM

She wouldn't be - according to dannyboy there's no queue!

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 20 2013, 09:18 PM

One soon forms behind me mind - I do like a good chat with the cashier & it does take me time to count out my pennies.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 21 2013, 07:59 AM

Posted by: MontyPython Nov 21 2013, 01:20 PM

Sorry to here you struggle to find the money for a stamp!

Posted by: dannyboy Nov 21 2013, 01:21 PM

yes - very deep pockets

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 22 2013, 09:35 AM

Got to go in there today.
Unfortunately I will not be able to go in at 16:30/40 so it's 20min queuing for me!
Mind you, had to go to the DVLA office in Theale a short while ago - 50 mins. queuing there!

Posted by: JeffG Nov 22 2013, 11:35 AM

I didn't know there were other offices apart from Swansea. What are they for? Intrigued to know why you had to visit there at all. [Insert nosey smiley]

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 22 2013, 01:10 PM

Like a prat I lost the Registration Document for my bike* so could not re-tax it from SORN.
Went there to get a new one and tax at the same time.
Could have done it by post but that would have taken too much time.
A re-issue of a reg. document is £25.
Not sure why so many were there but I suspect many of them were motor traders taxing vehicles for clients?
* I have found it since!!

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 22 2013, 01:26 PM

Top tip: scan all your documents in and PDF them, then save them online, or email them to yourself, that way, you don't need them at hand all the time.

Posted by: Exhausted Nov 22 2013, 09:14 PM

Theale office is closing if it's not already closed so it's post only.

Posted by: JeffG Nov 23 2013, 10:11 AM

Not sure what's so useful about that. It doesn't help if you lose the original.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 23 2013, 10:17 AM

Is it?
Still open at the moment as you are directed to it on the DVLA website.
Where did you get the info. that it was closing?

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 23 2013, 10:18 AM

Actually it would have helped me as all I needed was the number off the logsheet in order to renew my tax disc on line.

Posted by: Exhausted Nov 23 2013, 12:23 PM

When I went there a few weeks ago to sort out re-registering a vehicle.

Posted by: Berkshirelad Nov 25 2013, 10:02 AM

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvla-local-office-closure-plan-announced provides a clue....

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 25 2013, 10:29 AM

It is so you can glean the information off it. Like if you need formation off it to fill in an on-line form or such like.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 25 2013, 10:44 AM

Thanks for that.
All on line / post now then?
I see they are extending some of the services that post office can offer.
I also note the 14 day allowance for not having a tax disc on new registered vehicles.
May make enforcement difficult?

Posted by: JeffG Nov 25 2013, 11:55 AM

OK, that's fine as a temporary measure, but eventually you're going to have to replace the original (unless you find it again, like Biker1 did! ).

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 25 2013, 11:56 AM

Unless there is an accessible database that has the information of what reg has tax paid against it or not.

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 25 2013, 11:59 AM

Of course, but that would have to happen anyway. The point is, in most cases I only need information, I don't usually need the real document, unless I have to send it away or get a 'producer' - which has only happened twice in my driving life. My point wasn't about replacing the original, only a convenient way of having access to information at any given time.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 25 2013, 12:44 PM

Well I'm going to take your tip Andy and do it.
Nothing to lose.

Posted by: Berkshirelad Nov 25 2013, 12:54 PM

You mean like the one that DVLA have that is open to public use?

Or the one that DVLA have that is accessed by the Police?

In any case, there are two distinct offences regarding VED.

1) failing to have VED - this relates to the DVLA database and enforcement is by them.

2) Failing to display a valid VED disk. This is a matter for Police enforcement and is regardless of whether or not the vehicle is taxed. The extension of the grace period for new vehicles is for this offence. Up from the 5 days allowed now for renewal

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 25 2013, 12:54 PM

There is https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/enquiry?execution=e1s1

Posted by: Andy Capp Nov 25 2013, 01:47 PM

It makes me wonder if displaying a VED disk is somewhat redundant these days.

Posted by: On the edge Nov 25 2013, 02:23 PM

Gives the boys in blue something if you've done nothing wrong but aren't showing sufficient respect

Posted by: Strafin Nov 25 2013, 03:23 PM

Its one of the stupidest taxes around and should be abolished. Enforcement must cost and take up a fair bit of time and it could easily be replaced with all sorts of other direct means that wouldn't affect the coffers. Such as more fuel duty or toll road charging.

Posted by: motormad Nov 25 2013, 06:37 PM

I never displayed one on my bike
It was kept under the seat.

Yolo.

Posted by: JeffG Nov 25 2013, 07:25 PM

Unless you're a Buddhist...

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 28 2013, 09:08 AM

I have recently used the posting machine with success.
Takes a while to get used to it but I am getting better each time!
Certainly saves the frustration of waiting in a long queue for the 1 or 2 staffed positions .

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 5 2013, 05:02 PM

It's got nothing to do with me!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25223631

Posted by: JeffG Dec 5 2013, 05:06 PM

Go on! HMG are obviously reading your posts. Or maybe you're on someone's list at GCHQ

Posted by: Biker1 Dec 5 2013, 05:10 PM

Says you will be able to pay by monthly direct debit for a fee.
Funny, why is it then you can pay TV licence by monthly direct debit for no fee?

Posted by: MontyPython Dec 5 2013, 05:26 PM

Dannyboy will probably start worrying about all the Tax Disc Holder manufacturers that are about to go to the wall!

Posted by: Biker1 Dec 5 2013, 05:28 PM

It's OK they're all made in China!
Oh, and so is everything else!

Posted by: Andy Capp Dec 5 2013, 07:48 PM

That is true, but people who pay in six monthly instalments pay ~10% p/a over the top, but the monthly instalments of DD will be 5% p/a.