Postman Caught Throwing Fragile Parcel on Camera

Leldudebrothers on 20/12/2020 - 22:21
Last edited 23/12/2020 - 00:02

Youtube link (put on sound to hear a uncomfortable bang when my parcel meets concrete): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdSCRSIDl-Y&feature=youtu.be

Background: Over a month ago I had bought prescription glasses from a brick and mortar store and requested express shipping. I opened my item to find my parcel damaged and was concerned as you would need a significant amount of force to damage an item which was packed pretty well. This in turn made me review my camera footage and I was infuriated to witness my parcel being handled inappropriately. All he needed to do was walk 3 meters forward, knock the door, wait a few seconds and gently leave my parcel at the door, not throw the package onto concrete. I understand that the nature of the job requires speed and the stressors can get overwhelming, but this is beyond what a reasonable person would consider acceptable.

I sent Auspost 2 letters of complaint and received a generic reply with the gist of 'bring to post office and we will inspect'. While it would be nice if my item was repaired, I did not care if they did so. My main wish was to prevent such appalling behavior from happening again (what if this was something far more expensive, fragile, unique or sentimental) and a apology. Following the lack of written communication, I decided to call Auspost and the staff member on the phone who I discussed this situation genuinely was caring and wanted to resolve this. I did request to be kept in the loop and in return I wanted to keep things discreet. Nevertheless, that was nearly 2 weeks ago and I have received no resolution or further correspondence to this matter.

The reason I posting this here is to:
1. Highlight that this is definitely an issue that I have heard of numerous times before and there needs to be more done to improve the situation
2. If you are getting expensive items posted to you via mail it would be wise to invest in cameras in order to provide evidence in case your items are damaged.
3. Hoping that this video gains some traction to expedite a resolution.
4. Giving myself a sense of closure.

Thanks for reading

Edit: I really want to emphasize that I really do not really care much for the damage and thus decided to not get compensation for it. The comments blaming the situation on poor packaging are deflecting from the primary issue, which is the carelessness and negligence in the handing of the parcel. Ultimately, normalising or trivialising this kind of behavior is not constructive and only further propagates the issue. Imagine if someone from the street went to house, took an item that is important to you and threw it 3 meters on concrete. Would that make you frustrated? Why is a postman doing it suddenly make it ok? If the item was not damaged at all would you be perfectly ok with it?

General Discussion

Comments

    • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 11:24
      +7

      It seems that some like yourself are commenting that this is maybe the norm for Auspost. If that is the case, that is a fundamental flaw that needs to be addressed. I am not asking for much, with extremely negligible setbacks in efficiency you can provide a significantly improved service. All this dude needed to do is spend 5-10 seconds walking 6 steps and putting something on the floor.

      • Cheeper on 21/12/2020 - 12:08
        +1

        It is not only the "norm" for just Austpost but every parcel delivery service that exists.
        That throw was not forceful and not far. If it cant stand that small impact then it was not packed appropriately.
        You need to see a parcel distribution center to understand that when there are tens of thousands of parcels that need to be sorted and delivered, each one can't be "put to bed" with a lullaby. I know because I worked in a large one for many years.
        Parcels may be thrown short distances in the sorting process. They are sorted into containers and have hundreds of other parcels dumped on top of them. That is how it is.
        The solution…. if something is fragile then pack it appropriately.
        Dont just stick it in a plastic bag and then blame the world if something happens to it.
        It is the sender that you need to get on to if something is not packaged right, not the courier.
        The majority of people sorting these things take reasonable care but they don't have the time to treat each parcel with special kindness. It would be like expecting someone at McD's to make you a perfect burger…

        • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 16:47
          +1

          I have been reviewing every delivery for the past month and all the other services bar Auspost do a perfect job.

        • ensanguined on 21/12/2020 - 16:52

          He pretty much winds his arm up before launching that package, wtf you on about? Did you not hear that dull thump from all the force that was applied? Sick of these lazy posties, what the hell is so hard about walking two extra steps and placing it down on the ground?

          • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 17:04

            @ensanguined: The wide angle camera does not do it justice. It was at least a 3 meter throw, spinning and force behind it. But you are 100% right.

            • ensanguined on 21/12/2020 - 17:47
              -1

              @eldudebrothers: Exactly. Look at how it bounced and hit the wall even. That is a decent throw for sure! I have cameras setup just for this reason.

    • Jackkkkkk on 22/12/2020 - 15:44
      +2

      no matter how apologetic you are for Aus post, most major freight companies push for caring of freight big or small.

      If they didn't, claims would be flying left, right and centre and they'd be in a world of hurt.

  • bobbified on 21/12/2020 - 10:04

    Wow… almost looks like you got a "fireman" to deliver your package! lol

    • Homr on 22/12/2020 - 07:08

      I thought that too hahaha

  • dasher86 on 21/12/2020 - 10:29
    +1

    Howdy neighbour

  • penguincat on 21/12/2020 - 10:45
    -2

    My main wish was to prevent such appalling behaviour from happening again (what if this was something far more expensive, fragile, unique or sentimental) and a apology.

    Parcels are all sorted by machines (not people). It's already been dropped by over 1m several times before the postie ever got a hold of it. So it was likely busted long before it was thrown on your door step.

    Parcels need to have both drop protection as well as crush protection. They need to survive at least an 1metre drop and at least a 30Kg crush.
    Source I used to work there in the mid 2000s.

    It isn't that they don't give a damn about fragile items for the most part AP don't have access to what is fragile/photos/xrays until after it's too late to do anything about it.
    It's all automated the days of being able to check for items with fragile/do not bend/handle with care are long gone.

    you would need a significant amount of force to damage an item which was packed pretty well.

    Can you give an description on how it was packaged? Boxes? paper? bubble wrap? size of bubble wrap? that sort of stuff. Do you still have pictures?
    You would be surprised how many companies that send fragile items every day but have no idea how to pack things.

    • DemocracyManifest on 23/12/2020 - 00:17

      30kg of crush protection? Jesus Christ I’ve had records delivered on their own from amazon us in one piece, and they didn’t have 30kg of crush protection around them…clearly auspost don’t give a f—k

  • Porker on 21/12/2020 - 11:07
    +1

    How are you sure or can prove that it wasn't broken in some other way? I wouldn't like my packages delivered in that manner either, but the video doesn't necessarily prove that the damage was caused by the postman.

    Eg. the item could've been broken at the shop that posted it, or it was damaged at manufacturing and the shop was unaware of the damage etc

    I suspect if AP was to apologise, it would be that the postman threw the item at the very end, but there'll unlikely be an apology about damage which hasn't been proven to be their cause.

    • whooah1979 on 21/12/2020 - 11:11
      +2

      The sender can under the t&c apply for compensation. The video should be enough for a successful claim.

  • SF3 on 21/12/2020 - 11:15
    +3

    AP should spent $ to properly train their workers (employees and contractors) and have KPIs (e.g. via customer feedback per delivery) and reward the good deliverers with a bonus to encourage the behavior. Rather than the Cartier watch "scandal".

    • Ironic fear on 23/12/2020 - 00:34

      They literally do all of what you said. I wish people would lodge complaints and leave delivery feedback about drivers, it gives them grounds to pursue further disciplinary action. After all how would their local management know to do so without any complaints or negative feedback.

      Most often people do not leave feedback on bad drivers, because either:
      takes too long to get through (despite email being an option)
      Don't want to get him in trouble (if they don't do their job correctly then they should be in trouble, also isn't that literally the point of making a complaint about someone not delivering correctly?)

      • eldudebrothers on 23/12/2020 - 01:04
        +1

        The problem I have learned is that nothing gets done and even with video evidence, they do not seem to care.

        one large gripe is that with other companies, I can just stop using their service. With Auspost, I am stuck with them.

        • Ironic fear on 23/12/2020 - 01:14
          +2

          Surprisingly (or maybe not) video evidence doesn't mean much as They almost exclusively rely on Aus post employees assessment, which is why the parcel needs to be viewed in person by Aus post.

          And if there's complaints still being made after the post person is put on disciplinary action, you can bet he won't be delivering anything again for Aus post. Parcel contractors especially, as they are contactors they have a lot less opportunity to prove they have learnt to not do such poor things as this.

  • Cheeper on 21/12/2020 - 11:56
    +1

    The biggest problem is not how the parcels are handled but how the senders fail to package the items properly.

  • Trance N Dance on 21/12/2020 - 12:17
    +4

    Raise a complaint with the Postal Industry Ombudsman. AusPost will have a separate customer response team that deals specifically with PIO complaints.

  • AustriaBargain on 21/12/2020 - 12:41

    Maybe he didn't like your car.

  • Hardlyworkin on 21/12/2020 - 14:10
    +1

    I hope Santa is more careful.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/12/2020 - 14:18
    +3

    I understand that the nature of the job requires speed and the stressors can get overwhelming

    No, you don't need to be understanding of this. It's not a valid excuse for them performing poorly at their job. If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.

  • 7ekn00 on 21/12/2020 - 14:45

    ACA needs a new scandal ;)

  • studentl0an on 21/12/2020 - 15:00
    +1

    I'm half and half here. I think a company sending prescription glasses in the mail should package them in such a way to expect them to be tossed around during transit, so they would still arrive without damage.

    I also think that postie toss was a little bit over the line, like had the postie taken one or two more steps and done more of a drop than a throw then there would have been no worries at all.

    • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 16:50
      +2

      I agree, could the package have been given extra protection by at least putting it in a box? Probably. However, like I have said before, it is the unnecessary carelessness which I have a problem with.

      • Ironic fear on 23/12/2020 - 00:37

        I guarantee there was no way the parcel could've been damaged by that throw if it was packaged sufficiently and in a glasses case.
        Transit/sorting centres where it has the mass of heavier larger parcels is where damage occurs 90% of the time.

  • peterw1 on 21/12/2020 - 15:01
    +5

    please send a complaint to the postal industry ombudsman:

    https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/How-we-can-help/postal-industry…

    We need to stamp this behaviour out.
    good luck

  • Amour on 21/12/2020 - 15:12
    +3

    My postie drops my parcels over the fence. Sometimes they land on the bin, sometimes they land behind it and I don’t find them until bin day. If they don’t land on the bin they have a 2m journey to concrete.

    If all posties were like the person that delivers my Amazon packages, Aus Post wouldn’t get any complaints about mishandling of parcels.

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 21/12/2020 - 15:16

    Why is your light on in the middle of the day? Goes against the OzBargain way of saving electricity.

  • MisterX on 21/12/2020 - 15:24

    Atrocious

  • [Deactivated] on 21/12/2020 - 15:34
    +4

    Australia Post has managed to break my really well packed extremely hard to break packaging that can be tossed alongside airplane luggage.

    Horrible attitude and toxic culture amongst postal employees is the reason such pathetic behaviour keeps repeating.

  • t_c on 21/12/2020 - 15:41
    -3

    "but this is beyond what a reasonable person would consider acceptable."

    So you're awnsering for every reasonable person?

    I think it's acceptable, does this make me unreasonable.

    Maybe you could set up a poll and review the data before making blanket assumptions.

    • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 16:54
      +4

      I have asked colleagues and friends who I subjectively deem reasonable. They unanimously believe that what the postie had done to be unacceptable. Nevertheless, my wording does insinuate that if anyone who disagrees with me can be unreasonable so you are correct, I did not intend to offend.

    • GrueHunter on 21/12/2020 - 17:56
      +5

      I think it's acceptable, does this make me unreasonable.

      Yes.

      Now what?

      • chriskq on 22/12/2020 - 11:26
        +1

        yeah its like the popular youtube rant vid…. 'oh your offended are you…. so what'

  • belongsinforums on 21/12/2020 - 15:48
    +3

    Recently had a signature on delivery required parcel just left on my front doorstep by auspost. The only company worse is couriers please

  • roy125 on 21/12/2020 - 16:09
    +1

    I have a postie that insists on throwing parcels over our fence… sometimes I don't even notice them for a few days because I haven't been down that side of the house. Based on where they land I'd say he just tosses them.

  • khomeini on 21/12/2020 - 16:10

    I empathise with you but you have no idea what they do within the postal/courier places too. My dad told me how he's seen people physically kick packages from one end to another. I worry for anything electronic I recieve (so far they've worked).

    Please chip in for those who do work in these letter centres or depots… but the stories I've heard don't fill me with confidence.

    Ps. Our postie is quite good as he puts it on our doorstep without chucking it (probably because my dad's spoken to him once and knows he worked at Auspost). The prior one used to do the dodgy of pickup note from post office even when we were home.

    • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 16:55

      It was an eye opener for me and in the future I will be paying extra for courier services.

  • paperpaper on 21/12/2020 - 16:39
    +1

    It’s the sender’s fault for not packing it appropriately.

    • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 01:37
      +2

      LoL…face palm.

    • hasher22 on 22/12/2020 - 01:38
      +2

      So that gives the excuse for posties to throw packages around? Australia post NEVER takes responsibility, they lose a package, oh it's up to the seller to compensate you or you need to take insurance. Sorry insurance should NOT cover lost parcels due to their negligence.

      If you have a fragile item and the sender packed it properly but you see the postman throw it at your door step, you wouldn't be like: "oh it's ok, it's packaged properly, that gives them the right to throw it how ever they wish".

      Also….. in your logic. You're going on holiday, you're sitting in your seat. You see your luggage thrown like a rag doll on the conveyer belt and into the plane. Your fragile item breaks, could be a gift for someone……. that's your fault then because you did pack your luggage properly.

      • Ironic fear on 23/12/2020 - 00:44

        Airlines really do take that line of reasoning though…

        And they do take responsibility if they're responsible.

        I do agree that parcels should not be thrown and this shouldn't have happened.

        Compensation thing is tricky because, well think about it, the sender is the one who Aus post are carrying the parcel for, it's not yours until it's delivered to you. Aus post don't know what's inside and provide options for high value items to be appropriately covered for loss or damage. The sender pays for it so the sender gets compensated.
        Often if it's lower value they will just compensate the addressee directly though as its better customer service and it doesn't need to be insured when it's under $100, it's covered for that automatically.

  • snoopster on 21/12/2020 - 16:47
    +2

    I got sent an A4 sheet of black Vinyl sticker that clearly said 'Do not fold.'

    Was folded and squeezed into mailbox by auspost :/

    I mean, could have rolled and put into junk mail but no.

    • whooah1979 on 21/12/2020 - 17:05
      +1

      'Do not fold.'

      Do not bend was cancelled almost ten years ago.

      • smartazz104 on 22/12/2020 - 09:04
        +1

        They can't find enough posties who can read?

  • Ononono on 21/12/2020 - 17:24
    -1

    I dunno, it didn't look that bad, he just kind of lobbed it. That parcel would have been tossed a dozen times before it reached your door anyway. Auspost doesn't handle fragile parcels so really you should be complaining to the glasses store for not packing properly and not opting to use a different courier service

  • gimme on 21/12/2020 - 17:47
    +4

    It's not the postie's fault if you haven't setup a giant airbag at your doorstep to catch parcels. I can't believe (I can) some people on here think this is normal. The fat f%$% needs the exercise anyway.

  • brad1-8tsi on 21/12/2020 - 18:59
    +1

    Was it encased in a huge bubble-like condom?

    I buy glasses from AliExpress and the package is huge because of the "bubble". It adds about 50mm air space around the glasses.

    (posty is still a nob)

  • manbearpig on 21/12/2020 - 19:58
    +4

    What a knob. Was it too hard for him to at the very least bend down a little and slide it to the door if he can't be bothered to put it down?

    • hasher22 on 22/12/2020 - 01:41

      There wasn't a cheeseburger at the doorstep for him to trade.

  • malpas on 21/12/2020 - 21:18
    -5

    Reading the post and seeing the car I would’ve done the same

    • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 01:37
      +3

      Jealous?

    • smartazz104 on 22/12/2020 - 09:05
      -1

      12 comments in 5 years and you have absolutely nothing of value to add. What kind of car do you like, I bet we can make assumptions about you too.

    • Dreamcast on 22/12/2020 - 13:41

      Yeah great comment… What a DB

    • eldudebrothers on 22/12/2020 - 19:43

      Combined with the ability to see into the future and read my post, and a deep hatred of small red Mazda's, you get a overwhelming urge to damage my belongings?

  • Kamsi on 21/12/2020 - 21:27
    +1

    I made a complaint to the post office a while back, it was regarding postie delivery parcels to my house where I was at home all day but still receive a nobody at home notice, it amaze me that they told me that this problem and others was and have been a problem for some times. So I think someone at the executive level need some ass kicking to get these sorted.

    • smartazz104 on 22/12/2020 - 09:06
      +1

      Not enough Cartier watches being given out obviously.

  • love2buy on 21/12/2020 - 22:41

    Maybe he has trouble bending down.

    • eldudebrothers on 21/12/2020 - 22:53
      +2

      Then drop it from waist hight, not throw it 3 meters onto concrete.

    • chriskq on 22/12/2020 - 11:28

      OH&S would state to bend at the knees which i think would make your point moot

  • Cave Fire on 21/12/2020 - 23:15

    Yep, told that there is no "fragile" service at Auspost by post shop employee. I was sending a PC tower and put fragile stickers on it. He said that might make them throw it around more. From the posties body language, it looks like he was aiming for the mat, he seems to walk faster when it hits the concrete.

  • mousie on 21/12/2020 - 23:28
    +3

    It's called drop shipping

  • lainey13 on 21/12/2020 - 23:54
    +1

    Damn. My postie is freaking awesome and friendly on the bell too. Now I want to tip him with something but not sure what…

    • jv on 21/12/2020 - 23:58

      Now I want to tip him with something but not sure what…

      Just choose one from here…

      • eldudebrothers on 22/12/2020 - 00:51
        +1

        Just went through the whole list, the water bottle on its side thing is genius!

  • TheTeamRanger on 22/12/2020 - 00:06

    Whats more outrageous is how and where did you find RTX 3090.

    • eldudebrothers on 22/12/2020 - 00:50
      +1

      USA and I fixed the fan accidentally, just needed a slight push in lol

  • Smaland on 22/12/2020 - 00:13

    Off topic. What security camera system did you installed at your place? Thanks.

  • The-Kremlin on 22/12/2020 - 01:35

    Did the parcel have 'fragile' written on it or fragile tape?

  • stinkydog on 22/12/2020 - 02:29
    -1

    It's the receivers fault for not packaging sufficiently.

    • smartazz104 on 22/12/2020 - 09:06
      +1

      It's the receivers fault for not packaging sufficiently.

      The receiver doesn't pack the parcel.

      • stinkydog on 22/12/2020 - 10:23
        +1

        That went right over your head.

  • infinite on 22/12/2020 - 06:34

    My father in law earlier this year had a similar incident. He ordered a bunch of different packaging cardboard from a company to best figure out the packaging material and fold/build of it for a product he was contracted to work on.

    The pile of excrement AusPost contractor that delivered it launched the parcel almost 10 meters into a brick wall next to the door and managed to break the cardboard packaging, along with all the pieces of packaging cardboard inside it……… WTF. He was asked to take the video of the incident to AusPost in the city for viewing and the potato manager working there after watching it recommended he "get a bigger welcome mat to put parcels under in the future", refusing to agree on giving any compensation. Took almost two months to get AusPost to cough up the money in the end.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/12/2020 - 11:16
      +1

      They try their absolute level best to avoid any liability. I wish they put that much effort on delivering parcels properly.

  • Deuce on 22/12/2020 - 07:28
    +1

    I watched the video. Man I guess I have a good postie. My driveway is a steep hill, if I have something that requires a signature he will actually drive up and drop it.

    Couriers on the other hand, I've had plenty of issues with. I had an auspost courier deliver my expensive package to the wrong house, luckily the owner of that house returned it. Auspost is useless.

  • morebunnings on 22/12/2020 - 07:29

    I moved to this country 10 years ago in Feb, and there are only 2 things I'd change:

    • Make the tabs on petrol pumps work so they fill up without having to hold the handle the whole time.
    • Replace the Australian postal system.

    They made a change a little while back to parcel post so that it is now flat rate. Cost me $15 to send a small 1.5kg parcel from Noosa to Brisbane (~2 hours drive). Previously that would have been ~$5. It's a joke.

    The amount of times they've left parcel cards without knocking while I'm home is rediculous. I never realized how much I missed a semi decent postal system.

    Sorry mate, not much to say about your case. Just wanted to vent about auspost.

    Otherwise even with its flaws, I love this country.

    • Deuce on 22/12/2020 - 07:35

      Regarding the tabs on the pump nozzles. I wish my local servo fixed this. I dont want to hold and squeeze to pump 100L of Diesel.

      • Okayy on 22/12/2020 - 09:03
        +2

        Use fuel cap or tennis ball to keep your nozzle going.

        • chriskq on 22/12/2020 - 11:29

          Nice #LifeHack!

        • Deuce on 22/12/2020 - 12:38

          Oh shit. Never really thought about that lol. Thanks

        • t_c on 23/12/2020 - 09:06

          I thought u could use a paper clip in the little hole?

        • Hirolol on 24/12/2020 - 09:42

          Not meant to do that as it’s a “safety hazard”

  • Okayy on 22/12/2020 - 09:01

    I always use Parcel Collect since I can get my stuff easily and on time without a left card and have also seen how they throw stuff in their sorting facility.

  • dufflover on 22/12/2020 - 09:56
    +3

    Wouldn't surprise me if the guy used to work as a baggage handler :P

    Yeah as harsh as this sounds that guy needs to go. The laziness and lack of respect to the article was a joke. I get it if someone has to work fast, I've seen stuff dropped off at my house quickly by my local but at least he gets to the stage of half-kneeling down before he goes. Always rings the bell too which is nice. This was like a full on careless toss.
    And there's been enough AusPost delivery horror stories to know that so often it just comes down the driver for your area.

  • trapper on 22/12/2020 - 10:55
    +2

    It's basically futile to go after Auspost about items damaged in the post, and it's not really your problem anyway.

    You ordered an item and it turned up broken. Put this back on the sender to resolve.

    • whooah1979 on 22/12/2020 - 11:48
      -1

      Your post doesn't make any sense.

  • Blitz001 on 22/12/2020 - 11:23

    I wanna know when a “safe place” became the street facing front step.

  • luffyex2010 on 22/12/2020 - 11:24
    +2

    Lmao…..+1 for the camera quality and sound of the parcel landing.

    Yup this should be reported to Australia Post of your local postman.

  • cunningdrew on 22/12/2020 - 11:32

    Seriously baffling the comments. The postie should lose this job, that was utterly absurd. You don't know someones parcel a few metres away on concrete.

    Let's package your reading glasses and do the same as you watch, see how 'fair' you think it is.

    I'd like to see this vision and the accompanying soft whisper communications from AusPost sent to A Current Affair or something like that. Does that show still exist? Otherwise, I'm sure The Project would love it, in between feet kissing of Labor Premiers that is.

    All in all, I'd be filthy if that was my stuff.

    • SBOB on 22/12/2020 - 12:02
      +2

      I'm sure The Project would love it, in between feet kissing of Labor Premiers that is.

      Man, the segue rants on this forum just keep getting better and better ……

  • kator on 22/12/2020 - 12:11

    Parcel Collect needs to improve a bit.

    For example the 24/7 Parcel Locker near my home is always full and the parcel ends up at the news agency that closes 4:30pm and I cannot get there in time.
    If I select a Post Office pickup (closes 5:30pm) I need to wait in the queue for 20-30 min.

    So yeah I got a camera and risk home delivery instead. Luckily it is pretty good in my area.

    • Ironic fear on 23/12/2020 - 00:55

      If you have to wait 20-30mins in a queue is suggest complaining about your wait time with exact times and date you're in store. Also most stores have early collection options, which don't require you to enter the store and thus avoiding the queue.

      The wait time issue would be addressed in a few days.

      I don't see why a parcel would go to a newsagents if the parcel lockers are full unless it's an LPO as well as a newsagents? In which case it should be open minimum of 9 -5 as it's required in the licence of most LPOs.

      Yeah I avoid home delivery despite having cameras because I've got lots of high school kids around my area who break letter boxes for fun and steal things if it's not locked. Find them thrown a few houses down if it's nothing interesting to them :/

  • ar7ist on 22/12/2020 - 12:49

    OP, what camera setup do you have?

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