Australia Post - less for more

dorian · Guru

Australia Post - less for more

GerryP · Veteran Member

About the only snail-mail we get these days are bills. I don't mind not getting them at all!

We never send letters any more, not even Christmas cards.. we ain't no spring chickens, but it's so much easier, quicker and cheaper over the 'net.

But we (mostly me...) do shop on-line, so parcel delivery does get quite a bit of use in our place.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

It took about 18 days for a small package to come from Brisbane to Karratha in WA!!!! The PO staffer told me the average time is 14 days.

My mail (the little that I get these days, as most things are online) goes to my son's house - he opens it, checks what it is, rings me and we decide whether to send it or not.

I worked for a couple of Licensed Post Offices, which are privately owned and run, you often get better service in a LPO, rather than a Post Shop because the LPO has to earn their money, whereas Post Shop employees are employed by Australia Post, and get paid whatever. This is my personal experience anyway.

Big Gorilla · Guru

With the advent of technology, businesses have to adapt. Australia Post is one such business.. They are suggesting a two tiered delivery system, mush like the U. S. First class and second class mail. For first class you pay a premium, second class is cheaper but you receive the mail later.

dorian · Guru

I see Australia Post as a public utility. Public utilities should aim to break even, not run at a profit. They should be run as a public service not as a business.

In fact the idea that a budget surplus is desirable is offensive to me. That's like running the government as a profit making business. People need to equate "surplus" with "profit". Surplus = Tax Revenue - Government Services. Ideally every tax dollar should be returned to the public by way of government expenditure. The fact that people think it's desirable for a public entity to make a profit from the taxpayer is absurd.

Phil C · Guru

We have a system, when on the road, that all our mail is delivered to our Daughter's home, if she thinks its important she scans the letter and sends it to us in an email, we then decide what to do about it.

Our dealings with DVA and Centrelink are on iPhone apps and internet pages all their mail shows up on those apps or pages. We dont get utility bills as we live in our caravan so none of those thank goodness. Credit card contacts by phone or email and we get bank statements on line.

Im afraid email and the internet will turn Oz Post into just another freight company delivering only parcels and the occasional letter. I see very soon we will get our newspapers online and eventually the paper will cease to be.

Thats a sad testament to modern technology, but on the plus side, we get our mail an instant after it is written.

The magic of all this, is we can talk live to our grandkids on skype anywhere there is internet access or wifi, only science fiction when we were kids.

Safe travels

kandagal · Guru

Call me old fashioned but this week I actually received a hand written letter from an old school friend. And somehow or other it gave me great pleasure. Over the weekend I will be answering it (by hand). Maybe I need a pen pal as I don't mind writing in longhand.
On another note today I am to have lunch (in Cairns)with 3 old school friends. We started school together 70 years ago. Some friendships endure for ever. Cheers Alice

Dougwe · Chief one feather

That's great Alice. I wouldn't know any of my school friends now.

I remember last year I tracked down successfully a work mate 45 years ago but after seeing him wish I hadn't. Just spoilt my memory of him and his memory was, well, non existent. Sad and won't be doing that again. Hope you have a great lunch with your school buddies.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Sorry forgot about the "Topic".

As for Australia Post, I could live with a slower service but not stopped or too expensive to send a letter. Living out of the big smoke I am used to slow service anyway. I always have to allow a few days just to get to Melbourne and as for Interstate well at least 7 days to get to Townsville.

ST391GQ · Senior Member

Good Ole Ozzy Post!!!

Last Monday (5th) I posted an express post large letter to Wollongong....they got it today at 10.42 am!!!!!

No wonder they are crying poor me over the dwindling mail use with service like that hey!!

I could have jumped on my bike after breakfast....rode there...delivered it straight to the recipient...had a leisurely lunch....n been home well in time for tea!!

FFS Australia Post...Get real !!!!

Cheers Keith

Umpie1 · Senior Member

I believe we are well and truly spoilt. I can remember many years ago living in country Victoria, where our mail was delivered Monday, Wednesday & Friday. What a lot of people do not realise is if Australia Post makes loss after loss how are they going to upgrade their systems to keep up with the latest technology. For those who are worried about getting their mail while on the move, perhaps they should use one of the mail forwarding companies. That way you can advise them to forward the mail received to the next destination or two.

GaryKelly · Guru

I dunno about a government surplus being a profit, Dorian. It's not like the "profit" belongs to the pollies. I see a surplus as being savings for a rainy day... for all citizens.

aussie_paul · Guru

GaryKelly wrote:
I dunno about a government surplus being a profit, Dorian. It's not like the "profit" belongs to the pollies. I see a surplus as being savings for a rainy day... for all citizens.

I believe you are correct Gary.

Aussie Paul. smile

Big Gorilla · Guru

Any efficient Govt. Corporation should run at a profit. Dividends should be payable to the shareholders, the Government. Isn't that us ? We are the ones to benefit. I saw on TV some smart ass said you don't ask the Police Dept. to make a profit. Well the Police Department is not a Corporation, it's a Govt. service provided to the public. Although they should make a profit considering the amount of fines they generate !!

Bruce and Bev · Guru

BOy, aren't we all getting on our soap boxes about revenues generated by govt agencies/depts./corporations etc lol.

I think the Govt should make a surplus each year just like Costellos "Future Fund". This money is for when things get financially tough world wide, like the GFC and also to fund the rapidly growing numbers of pensioners (which I will be in a few years). BTW - Just changed my avatar pic - guys - wouldn't you like to be woken up by her (we dream, huh......even about getting up!!!)

pugs · Senior Member

Yea B&B it is a good one love the colours of the tent.......Hehehehehe...........MMmmmmmm cute. Pugs