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Post Office will add many new services
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
Are they reliable again? They went through an extended period where theft of parcels became far too common.
And what about delivery speed? The post office has come a long way from the slower than a dead snail days of the nationalists, but they still seem to take a little too long to deliver.
And what about delivery speed? The post office has come a long way from the slower than a dead snail days of the nationalists, but they still seem to take a little too long to deliver.
bekdik
Honorary Master
Like reliable delivery? Now THAT would be a first!
swordfish1
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I think the future of the post offices around the world is in the parcel delivery from online shopping malls, and NOT in the paper mail! If they are hoping to boost the mail volumes they will be in for a surprise!
In USA/UK post offices make reasonable money from speedy and reliable deliveries of all sort of stuff, the volumes are huge, even the DVD rentals get delivered to your door in UK! I see no future for sending paper mails, sooner or later people will wake up and discover the internet, then mail will die!
Many people in SA do not shop online because the delivery is too expensive and takes too much time, fix that, and the online retailing will bloom, cheaper prices for the masses, everybody will benefit except the few big chain stores, unless they wake up and move their business online!
When the management in SA will start to think forward rather than backward???
In USA/UK post offices make reasonable money from speedy and reliable deliveries of all sort of stuff, the volumes are huge, even the DVD rentals get delivered to your door in UK! I see no future for sending paper mails, sooner or later people will wake up and discover the internet, then mail will die!
Many people in SA do not shop online because the delivery is too expensive and takes too much time, fix that, and the online retailing will bloom, cheaper prices for the masses, everybody will benefit except the few big chain stores, unless they wake up and move their business online!
When the management in SA will start to think forward rather than backward???
Moederloos
Honorary Master
As far as local delivery of mail goes, they are very reliable. I am involved in many mail campaigns where huge volumes are sent (everything from invoices to marketing, across many sectors), and the delivery is spot on, and quick.
On a personal side, I find it very reliable as well - 2-3 day service always takes 2-3 days, and overnight is really overnight as well.
As far as that goes, spot on.
Service levels on a personal side are very good, and I often use the SAPO branch at the local Spar - for post as well as account payments (rates+taxes, SABC etc).
On a personal side, I find it very reliable as well - 2-3 day service always takes 2-3 days, and overnight is really overnight as well.
As far as that goes, spot on.
Service levels on a personal side are very good, and I often use the SAPO branch at the local Spar - for post as well as account payments (rates+taxes, SABC etc).
The Post offices also installed Internet terminals. When ever Ive been in to mu post office the terminal is standing in the corner collecting dust cos it dont work. If the cant get them working in the city then how will they ever work in rural areas. The idea was to bring email to rural areas. They have blown this one. Spent lots of money with no return.
Things like this should be left to private sector.
Steve
Things like this should be left to private sector.
Steve
It wouldn't. For a few years the post office was reliable, efficient and very fast, then it all went downhill. Some people may even remember that for a while Telkom provided good service before they turned to crime in 2001.
They should be left to libraries and organisations like the post office.
Can't they get them working? There's isn't anything to do to get them working. Do people know about them? Maybe they're waiting for their ADSL line from Telkom?
I've never heard delivery speed cited as a reason not to order online within South Africa. I didn't even know any online retailers even used normal post for deliveries.
What I do hear a lot is people paranoid about using their credit cards online.
Fast, cheap mail within South Africa would enable the creation of mail-based DVD rental. This would be a great thing. I think low prices can be achieved with volume, but the post office would have to take the initiative - lower prices and guarantee service to promote heavy use.
Unfortunately for them unlike Telkom they don't have the option of modelling their business on organised crime.
One thing the post office has maintained is the permanent banishment of the dour, hostile, unhelpful staff that were once standard. These days they're always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
I still think post services are too expensive and other than letters I am wary of using them, unless I use Speed Services, which is quick and reliable, but even more expensive.
Snail-Mail
The only time I post a letter any more is to the City of Cape Town's Traffic Fine Section.
They can get their post by the snail-mail system with the usual, "the cheque is in the post" excuse.
Some Municipalities offer a Direct Transfer System , but I suspect The City would be swamped with EFT Deposits and wouldn't know who is who?
The only time I post a letter any more is to the City of Cape Town's Traffic Fine Section.
They can get their post by the snail-mail system with the usual, "the cheque is in the post" excuse.
Some Municipalities offer a Direct Transfer System , but I suspect The City would be swamped with EFT Deposits and wouldn't know who is who?