A quick question, but what is the postal service like in the Western Isles. Is it efficient, friendly, flexible? Do items take significantly longer to arrive?
Again, I can only speak of my experience of Berneray. But there, the postal service was brilliant - so much better than what I experienced, or suffered, back on the UK mainland.
The Post Office is/was run by Mary. Always friendly and efficient, every single time. Unlike mainland post offices, she didn't push unwanted services. And also, don't be deceived by the small size of some of the post offices; they often offer just about everything that is on the mainland. In many ways, the post office is the key lifeline service in the small communities. Without it, a long trip to the nearest town, ensues.
Postal delivery is/was by Effie. Always friendly and efficient again. Post usually arrived the day after being posted on the mainland; the only time there was a delay was when the mail plane was delayed due to weather. Also - unlike on the mainland (living in an apartment in Birmingham was particularly problematic with the post) - in nearly five years of living on Berneray, I never had a single item of post go missing. Oh, and also, far less junk mail when living on the island.
As opposed to the mail, courier services were variable, from good and efficient, to takes a long time and goods sometimes turned up broken. There's a whole complex issue there, especially with buying things online and the often rip-off delivery charges. When possible, get things sent through the royal mail, such as parcelforce.
Conclusion and comparative scores: Postal service on Berneray: 10/10. Postal service in rural Iowa: 8/10. Postal service in Birmingham UK: 3/10.
Post doesn't seem to take any longer - perhaps a day in some cases. Last winter when the weather was foul there was about a weeks backlog of mail leaving the island (due to ferries not sailing) but that's exceptional.
A lot of smaller post offices operate on reduced hours so might only be open in the morning, or a couple of days a week so you have to plan around this.
Can't fault the post office or the postie here (apart from his taste in music - it's a bit too modern for me ;-)).
Couriers are a different kettle of fish though - the agents on the island are fine (all the couriers subcontract out island deliveries to local companies) but you can end up paying an arm and a leg to get things shipped here and it does take longer - at least a couple of days more normally but it can be a week.
Beware the pitfall of delivery charges, as Anon 22/11 03:44 is pointing out. Sometimes, companies flatly refuse to despatch to an HS-postcode, or multiply their delivery charge. Shop around - there is usually somebody willing to send you an item for a reasonable charge.
Postal items coming from south of the border can take up to 3 days, if routed through London. They are sent to the islands by plane from Inverness (in the case of Stornoway), so if the plane is disrupted (fog, ice), you won't get any mail that day. The same applies for sending mail, obviously.
Again, I can only speak of my experience of Berneray. But there, the postal service was brilliant - so much better than what I experienced, or suffered, back on the UK mainland.
ReplyDeleteThe Post Office is/was run by Mary. Always friendly and efficient, every single time. Unlike mainland post offices, she didn't push unwanted services. And also, don't be deceived by the small size of some of the post offices; they often offer just about everything that is on the mainland. In many ways, the post office is the key lifeline service in the small communities. Without it, a long trip to the nearest town, ensues.
Postal delivery is/was by Effie. Always friendly and efficient again. Post usually arrived the day after being posted on the mainland; the only time there was a delay was when the mail plane was delayed due to weather. Also - unlike on the mainland (living in an apartment in Birmingham was particularly problematic with the post) - in nearly five years of living on Berneray, I never had a single item of post go missing. Oh, and also, far less junk mail when living on the island.
As opposed to the mail, courier services were variable, from good and efficient, to takes a long time and goods sometimes turned up broken. There's a whole complex issue there, especially with buying things online and the often rip-off delivery charges. When possible, get things sent through the royal mail, such as parcelforce.
Conclusion and comparative scores: Postal service on Berneray: 10/10. Postal service in rural Iowa: 8/10. Postal service in Birmingham UK: 3/10.
Post doesn't seem to take any longer - perhaps a day in some cases. Last winter when the weather was foul there was about a weeks backlog of mail leaving the island (due to ferries not sailing) but that's exceptional.
ReplyDeleteA lot of smaller post offices operate on reduced hours so might only be open in the morning, or a couple of days a week so you have to plan around this.
Can't fault the post office or the postie here (apart from his taste in music - it's a bit too modern for me ;-)).
Couriers are a different kettle of fish though - the agents on the island are fine (all the couriers subcontract out island deliveries to local companies) but you can end up paying an arm and a leg to get things shipped here and it does take longer - at least a couple of days more normally but it can be a week.
Postal service on the westside is good. Only diference with the maneland; ourscomes in the afternoon.
ReplyDeleteAs ss says, corers are not so good. Watch delivery charges when you shop on line.
Beware the pitfall of delivery charges, as Anon 22/11 03:44 is pointing out. Sometimes, companies flatly refuse to despatch to an HS-postcode, or multiply their delivery charge. Shop around - there is usually somebody willing to send you an item for a reasonable charge.
ReplyDeletePostal items coming from south of the border can take up to 3 days, if routed through London. They are sent to the islands by plane from Inverness (in the case of Stornoway), so if the plane is disrupted (fog, ice), you won't get any mail that day. The same applies for sending mail, obviously.
We've never had any problems with the post (Stornoway).
ReplyDelete