Something rotten in Denmark...

[Peter Ward]

I have to observe the spectacular failure of Australia Post's ability to deliver mail of late.

I ordered an adapter from South Oz a while ago, and the registered post information shows it was lodged August 10.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, a CCD package dispatched from Canada on the 20th was delivered today (24th) by FedEx.

My registered post delivery has been "delayed" ...until the 29th...maybe...further the clowns running AP won't deliver mail daily anymore either...every other day will do apparently....as the poor possums are run off their feet...but not actually delivering packages.

So I can get stuff from halfway across the planet in four days, but from an adjacent state in Oz maybe 3 weeks with AP... :mad2:

[fsphotography]

Sounds similar to my experience. I posted a parcel on 13th August, Geelong to Buchan, it arrived yesterday the 24th August. Tracking showed it arrived at a Melbourne sorting facility the following day,it then sat there for eight days before moving on to its final destination,total distance of 450km.
This morning i have an email from AP asking ''How did we do''?

[bojan]

Tell them :-)
BTW, it is not always so bad, I have both bad and good experience with AP.
Still waiting for $3 item from ebay that arrived from China (in couple of days) and currently sitting in Dandenong Pst office for almost 3 weeks to be processed.....

[TrevorW]

Similar experience package from US sent via USPS which are slow anyhow took 3 weeks to get here, it arrived on the 9th August (AP facility) still not received two weeks later- AP are using the COVID crisis as an excuse for poor service but have not reduced their prices NOT HAPPY JAN - have a look at review AP has one of the highest number of complaints of any Govt service



"In its remuneration report released this morning, Australia Post confirmed Mr Fahour was paid a total $6.8 million in the 2017 financial year, sweetened by an additional $4 million in long-term incentives awarded from 2015 and 2016, The current CEO of Australia Post Christine Holgate took home $2.565 million in 2018-19, up from $1.646 million last year. The increase was off the back of $300,000 in extra bonuses and $224,500 in other long-term benefits."



Maybe if they paid AP CEO's something like us mere mortals receive then their service would be a hell of a lot better

[jahnpahwa]

Things are slow, but I trust that they're doing their best.

I don't think they're clowns, or poor possums. Your post certainly smacks of the latter, though. Your "seriously expensive, seriously good looking" kit for hobby that you're very fortunate to still be able to partake in took a bit too long to arrive? While hundreds of thousands of people around you have lost jobs and are struggling to pay mortgages and put food on their tables? Poor possum.

As for your insinuation that they shouldn't be run off their feet....

https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/8501.0Main%20Features5June%202020?o pendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=8501.0&issue=June%202020&num=&view=

Is it time to get real and take a moment to think about how lucky you (and we all) are here, with time and mental energy to discuss a hobby as if it matters?

[TrevorW]

Its not an issue about COVID or about people losing their jobs etc which we have no control over and is deplorable (I blame the Govt for that), its about providing a service that people pay for - courier companies such as DHL are delivering from OS to AUST within 2 weeks ex HK (and the supplier paid the freight) - likewise I recently purchased an item from Amazon 5 days to get here (freight included) - online purchasing has been growing for years - its called planning for the future - or contingency planning - AP have overpaid executives at the expense of service - privatizing post offices, contracting out deliveries to who can provide the cheapest service etc has only made their service worse and complaining to the GOVT Ombudsman has done little to improve the service - just check out AP reviews also check the following



https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/100840/A-report-on-Australia-Posts-implementation-of-the-Ombudsmans-recommendations_combined-A1779044.pdf


A lot of what AP are claiming they would do is still not being done

[Peter Ward]

The fact remains, other organisations (e.g. FedEx, UPS) can an do move items at a rate that puts AP to shame.

Not that there is much shame at AP, as has been pointed out by others, the AP management renumeration packages are seriously, seriously eye-wateringly good for a so called "public servant"

That said, I doubt the "possums" on the sorting floor are the problem, as they can only work within the systems designed and provided by that well paid crack-management team, that clearly previously struggled with getting beer from breweries, and decided to try something else.

[multiweb]

It's not only Auspost, disruptions are everywhere. I had a package that took 4 weeks to get out of the US then landed and was at my door within a day. And another one that took nearly 3 weeks to go from Sydney to Melbourne. Actually went to Melbourne in 48h but then stayed there for a long time before being delivered to its final destination.

[DavidU]

AP is still a largely manual post system, you will find many overseas post and shipping is mainly automated.
I was an AP depot delivery guy.

[jahnpahwa]

Ah! I think I understand what you're saying.

The remuneration package is too large for people responsible for a company of about 32,000 people. That's about six times the number of people working at Fortescue metals and is very similar to Qantas. I'm not saying they're the same (though I'd argue AusPost is at least as complex an operation as either) but a logistics organisation that size needs management. The total senior executive, comprised of 11 people, were paid a total of around $15mil in 2018. If that is a shocking outrage, I encourage you not to look at the packages of other similar sized companies.

Either way, and those numbers aside, are you thinking that halving, or quartering the board and exec remuneration would attract better talent to the positions? Or perhaps when re-invested in running 10 or so trucks spread across the country for a few years, would make a significant difference to the time it takes for you get a new extender for your next very important project?

Trevor, AusPost customers comprise pretty much the whole Australian population, including entitled whingers from all walks of life. I wouldn't be surprised by or interested in the google reviews they (or any other company, really) receives. I do sometimes read google reviews for a laugh, though :)
The ombudsman report is mainly about the number of complaints they receive about AusPost deliveries and lost items. As you can probably gather, it doesn't surprise me at all that heaps of us laid back Aussies are outraged when our Kogan 84" TV for the 4th bathroom in our 8th investment property takes more than a week to be delivered. Of course we need to contact the ombudsman about that! :rofl: But seriously, the report mentions that while parcels delivered increased 10% the following year, complaints were flat. That's progress and I don't expect perfection :thumbsup:

[Sunfish]

I could walk down to the post office and put something in express post and it will be in Brisbane in one or two days. Or a large envelope and in the box and it will be there in NSW metro the next day. I have been posting business stuff for 35 years week in week out and nothing has ever been lost.

The only problem with Australia Post is that no one wants to pay any tax , a few magnates want to make a little more cash for deliveries and so they have got executives in , in a move to privatise . There is no money in a service, there are a only 25 million people to post stuff in oz and so the the money goes down the drain in executive salaries. Blame yourselves .

Fed ex has its own airport and a huge fleet of its own planes in a country of 300 million. US post charges exorbitant rates and I bet you can not get a large letter in another state the next day.

[Peter Ward]

Sorry that argument does not wash with me. The Libs have quietly “corporatised” many government departments that were functioning just fine as a government entity. The USPS Postmater General earns about $A500,000k and simply dwarfs the AP operation in scale. Having spent a good deal of my working life in the USA , I can also say their mail system is superior. Posties actually collect mail as well as deliver it. The notion you need to pay big bucks to get the required corporate talent is a furphy IMHO. It’s simply a cozy monopoly where putting your fingers in the till is encouraged.

[TrevorW]

Don't get me wrong I reckon Posties do a great job but unfortunately they are becoming a dying breed, letter post costs AP (they made a loss from this service and are laying off Posties etc), parcel post business has taken over as the main profit area but they cannot yet provide the same level of service as other carriers - also remember this is a Govt owned business paying high salaries to imported Executives IMO achieves little, look what happened to Telecom. Whinging, that is an Aussies prerogative, entitled definitely not, I've worked for 50 years for what little I have so don't be so defensive. Oh as to the Ombudsman report this only relates to complaints they actually receive, the number of complaints overall exceeds the quoted figures and exceed the number of complaints handled by Centerlink which in fact has more employees. Anyhow no more from me have a great day :)

[jahnpahwa]

Trevor, I wasn't trying to characterize you as an entitled whinger, rather it was a comment on petty google reviewers that I've read and heard about. I'm sure you're a top bloke :thumbsup:

The thing I'm being defensive about is people working hard in difficult times, only to (possibly) read here that their efforts are being degraded by those of us lucky enough to be paying for the service they work hard to provide. Whether that was the intention of the OP or not, that's how I read it and I feel confident that others will have, too. I felt the need to balance that perspective, and yes, defend those people, whether they need defending or not.

I'm very happy to sign off on this one, too :)

[Sunfish]

Perhaps it is in quarantine for a few weeks getting irradiated.

The Chinese postal service covers the postage outbound. I wonder if they do the same the other way round.

[Hans Tucker]

Welcome to Australia .. Outside of Defence Logistics ain't our strong point. My father worked as a Marine Engineer for a company in Perth .. he would order parts from Singapore rather than Sydney because he could get it in country from Singapore within 24 hours compared to a week from Sydney.

[Peter Ward]

:lol: The Chicken Hot Pot and Black-Pepper prawns at Fatty's (Tsim Lim Square Singapore) are second-to-none as well :)

[Allan_L]

For the record, I think Aust Post is doing a good job.

I placed an online order on Friday 21 August and got an SMS message from Aust Post telling me my item was on-board for delivery on Monday 24th August.
And no I don't live in Sydney or a major city, but regional NSW.

Under the current circumstances I would say that is outstanding service.

Thats my experience anyway. :thumbsup:

[The Mekon]

I think it is about time the universal letter delivery fee (standard postage) is scrapped. This idea has well passed its use by date and needs to be replaced by some form of user pays. If you want to live a million miles from nowhere and expect a letter to be delivered for $1.10, then forget it.

[spiezzy]

Way to go Auspost showing the real Australian know how:thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

One last word sorry, lets not forget that without good logistics there is no trade, people stop buying they either save their money or look for alternatives, as I have, decided buying parts from OS currently to expensive, and takes to long to get here so I've sourced a local precision machinist to make parts for my Losmandy Mount. I just need to supply the metal, wait a while for him to fit the job in between his primary workload, the cost cheaper than buying even from China and currently quicker :)

[alval]

They can be hit and miss with the regular parcel post during the restrictions but they do prioritise the express post, had my asiAIR Pro from Sidereal in Melbourne posted at 2 in the afternoon by the tracking last tuesday and it was delivered at 11am next day in Adelaide. Its not that much dearer pay the extra couple of dollars for express if you want it in a hurry.

[mynameiscd]

I've got 2 packages coming from the States and it been 6 weeks now so Its not just us.
I think Auspost are doing pretty good especially when Victorian mail is being processed in Sydney to help with the staffing issues in Melbourne during Level 4.

Cheers
Andy

[Spidy]

Yeah, you gotta ask though, if Qantas is *****ing that it's costing them money to run their aircraft without passengers to keep them air worthy, then why did they close their Melbourne freight terminal? Makes sense to me to use those aircraft to deliver freight (their luggage compartment under the aircraft can hold tons).


I ordered something from a local vendor, and by local I mean 10km away and had to get it freighted as we're locked into a 5km radius from home.


BIG mistake. Not only did the item cost me more, but I made the fatal mistake of thinking buying from the local vendor, as opposed from a vendor in Perth, would result in quicker delivery. Well, 15 days later, I'm still waiting, while a gift for the missus I ordered from Perth 5 days ago arrived today!

[TrevorW]

The Govt has given AP permission not to abide by their previously guaranteed deliveries schedules during the COVID crisis so as to when you will receive and item it is a bit hit and miss at present - I'm still waiting for an item in Perth to be delivered locally that arrived here from the US two weeks ago :)

[Max Vondel]

Australia Post is struggling under the increased work load.
When you are getting fast deliveries from OS, is it a postal or courier service?
Yes, its frustrating but our postal service is much better than 80% of those around the world

[Peter Ward]

Is this opinion or fact? How did you establish that metric?

[jahnpahwa]

Come, come Mr Bond, this thread isn't about presenting established metrics.

Someone previously mentioned, "Having spent a good deal of my working life in the USA , I can also say their mail system is superior.". If an anecdote/single data point like this can be thrown in the ring with an expectation that it contribute to the discussion (which started with another anecdote), I think the we can all freely share our anecdotes, general thoughts and desktop research too.

Here goes.

I lived and worked in the US a while too, including moving large packages around the country. I didn't notice a difference to our post. There you have it, 1 anecdote cancelling out another... we're back to even Stevens.
I wonder if you were living there right now if you'd be such a fan of their current efficiency?

In the world of data, biased or not, AusPost exceeds targets of 92% or so for completing delivery first time. Who sets that target, I don't know. That doesn't mean a whole lot to me, but its something.

[Aron]

Some people says they have excellent service, while others the opposite.

For me? I already lost a parcel with a telescope earlier this year, and that's before the covid lockdown. Seller already give up comms to help me chasing the parcel after months being dragged on.

[Peter Ward]

Fair'nuff....even I'll admit samples of one are somewhat unreliable. That said a standard letter in the USA costs $US0.55 or about $A 75 cents ours is $1.10.

That's a serious differential....

I suspect it comes down to the USA being a postal "service" ...where as our mob is a government owned Corporation that pays their management very, very well and returns profits to the Government of the day.

Companies with monopolies as a rule, don't give a toss.

Exhibit B would be the NBN...that caring/sharing monopoly the brains trust in the Labor party set-up with a "no compete" clause....sigh...I digress.

By the way, my package finally arrived. Adelaide to Sydney in 3 weeks....and they send the wrong frigging part...arrgh!

The donkey is now well rested, fed and watered, saddle bags loaded with the item to be returned and on his way back to drink from the crystal clear spring waters of the Torrens.

I do so miss the delicate freshness of Adelaide tap water. :D

[jahnpahwa]

Haha! :thumbsup:

[Tropo-Bob]

I have also been frustrated by the postal delays. I have sent birthday cards early to relatives, only to find that they received them a week late.

However, Aust Post is handling record amount of mail, so I guess, this is how it is during these times...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-01/australia-post-to-break-parcel-delivery-record/12614028

[Peter Ward]

Something indeed stinks: from this morning's SMH.

"Australia Post has asked workers to volunteer to help clear a massive backlog in parcels caused by the coronavirus pandemic, using their own cars at the same time its senior executives are in line for about $7 million in bonus payments"

The gall of these execs is breathtaking. I'd sack the lot of them and "de-corporate" this failed management experiment.

[AndyG]

Imagine the labour and equipment that 7 million could obtain. Call me a simpleton, but I think an extra leased van and temp contracted worker at each hub would do wonders for their problem...