Can postmen deliver mail?

[meredith101]

Like if you're stuck, and they deliver to your door, and you open the door and say 'hey, could you post this for me', and give them a letter, are they allowed to do that?

[VillageVicar]

Legally, they are. However, I believe it's down to the postal carrier. As I understand it, some who finish their routes go straight home. I don't think that's certain in all circumstances.

Personally, I would only feel a sense of completion in watching my envelope being devoured by the mouth of a post box. Silly I suppose...but that's me.

be well

Fr Bill

[meredith101]

thanks Bill.

I suppose he could do a 'mini strike' over just my letter, and enter negotiations with me till the wee hours.......lol

[VillageVicar]

Morning Pickle! I suppose that would be the same line Royal Mail would offer if the post went walkies after going into one of their boxes...

Our postie (she's lovely) says yes, no prob. However she can't take recorded, signed for, etc...just general post... but after sharing this with her...now she wants to look..

I suppose my old adage in life applies again:

It is much easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission!

Be well

Fr B

[NORMANTHEDOG]

have you got a thing about the post.

[heathfield]

Pickle gives the reason why, several times in my lifetime, when I've arrived at a postbox as the postie has been emptying it, they've refused to accept it directly from me. Instead, they've told me to 'Post it in the box then I'll take it'.

[barneyboo]

My grandma went to post a letter just as the postman had locked up the box. She asked him if he could take it and he was quite rude. He told her to post it in the box and it would have to be taken on the next round.

[Ouisch]

The U.S. postal service has suffered severe financial loss in recent years due to the popularity of email, so they'll cheerfully pick up outgoing mail from your home mailbox (just place your outgoing mail in your mailbox), or accept it as they're emptying a collection box.

I don't know how the Royal Mail is funded, but if they eventually feel the pinch from the variety of alternative message services available, they may well be more accommodating in the future.

[VillageVicar]

Ouisch: Are you in the states? If so, may I ask please, do your home letter boxes still have little red flags that you can raise as a symbol to the postman that you have post for collecting? It's one of those odd things I've known about for years, but never thought anything about.

Thank you

Fr Bill

[Pragmatist]

if you turn up at a postbox as a postperson empties it -s/he is not permitted to accept a piece of mail from your hand - you have to post it into the box for them to be able to include it in their pickup. So a postperson will not take responsiblitity for pickup from your home or your hand.