13-12-2011, 10:15 PM
Oh dear Lawrence, I do sympathise with your predicament, and I guess that in your situation, Royal Mail are the 'supplier of last resort' who have to find you, come what may. Commiserations - my experiences are those of a lifelong townie, who loves to visit the countryside, but wouldn't like to live there. I have an aunt who lives in Henwood, a hamlet in Cornwall (nearest town Liskeard). None of the houses have numbers - just names, and there are no street signs, so you just have to knock on any door and they tell you who lives where! Given their remoteness, it wouldn't surprise me if they do much of their shopping on internet (assuming they can get a reliable broadband connection!). I bet Amazon et al love them to bits. (not!).
I'm sure that living in such a tranquil backwater has its compensations, though not - if your experience is typical - when getting parcels collected or delivered by private couriers.
I guess that given that the UK has one of the highest urban population densities in the world, with 89.9% of the population living in urban areas (USA 81.4%, Japan 66.3%, France 77%, Germany 73.5%), the courier firms are geared up for that market - not the remaining 10.1% in more isolated rural areas, but if that's so, they shouldn't accept your business.As to the Post Office, we have a large well-staffed branch in our village, but it's a nightmare at any time of year - worse still at this time. There are always several people with 10 or 20 parcels - padded envelopes of all sizes and weights - not doubt items sold on e-bay - asking 'how much will this cost first class/second class, can I have proof of posting' etc, each item at a time placed on the scales. Then passports, foreign currency, car tax renewal...a place best avoided. At least we know our postman and if we're out, he knows where to hide our parcels.
Incidentally, when I had a parcel delivered by TNT, they didn't just need a signature, they took a photo of the front door!
(Population density source: Economist World in Figures, 2010).
I'm sure that living in such a tranquil backwater has its compensations, though not - if your experience is typical - when getting parcels collected or delivered by private couriers.
I guess that given that the UK has one of the highest urban population densities in the world, with 89.9% of the population living in urban areas (USA 81.4%, Japan 66.3%, France 77%, Germany 73.5%), the courier firms are geared up for that market - not the remaining 10.1% in more isolated rural areas, but if that's so, they shouldn't accept your business.As to the Post Office, we have a large well-staffed branch in our village, but it's a nightmare at any time of year - worse still at this time. There are always several people with 10 or 20 parcels - padded envelopes of all sizes and weights - not doubt items sold on e-bay - asking 'how much will this cost first class/second class, can I have proof of posting' etc, each item at a time placed on the scales. Then passports, foreign currency, car tax renewal...a place best avoided. At least we know our postman and if we're out, he knows where to hide our parcels.
Incidentally, when I had a parcel delivered by TNT, they didn't just need a signature, they took a photo of the front door!
(Population density source: Economist World in Figures, 2010).
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
