Canada Post begs for ‘kindness’ but offers little
The crunch is on. And if you think you’re going to get that shipment to its international destination before Christmas — think again.
Canada Post quietly changed its holiday parcel shipping deadlines, citing “unprecedented demand” and coronavirus. If you’re not on social media or randomly checking the crown corporation’s website, you probably had no idea that you missed the deadline. The story was picked up on various news outlets… after the fact.
I have no connection to the operations of mail delivery or the inner workings of Canada Post, but I could’ve predicted there’d be more mail going out this year than in previous. Call it a hunch.
Earlier this month, I questioned why Canada Post processes letters to Santa for free but when I send letters to our Canadian Armed Forces members overseas on Remembrance Day, I must pay for postage.
When asked for media comment, Canada Post replied, “Due to capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies to deployed forces, this offer (of free mail) is restricted to family and friends of Canadian Armed Forces members serving overseas.”
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I question the logic and wonder how many people are actually sending a little envelope with a letter to a random soldier overseas on Remembrance Day. Our big military aircraft can’t accommodate a few envelopes? Really?
Elsewhere, Canada Post was shredded on social media for its mail handling. I can vouch for what people experienced because I had a banged-up box arrive several days late last month. Thankfully, the shipment was plush animals but the box looked like it was literally kicked around, displaying major dents on each side.
Coincidentally, I was at the post office on Monday and noticed a sign saying that employees won’t provide anyone with a piece of tape — “even a strip of tape” written in Sharpie. A regular customer at the postal outlet was infuriated that he was refused “even a strip of tape” because a small piece on his packaged envelope needed a slight re-tape.
As this played out, I noticed signage and a TV display pleading for kindness. Really. “Kindness helps us work,” said a sign showing two smiling people.
I’m not suggesting that it’s correct to lash out at employees who are following rigid policies or rules that are thrown at them. Though I would implore them to use their discretion when providing customer service.
If I were a regular shipper, spending hundreds of dollars a week sending mail through Canada Post, you’re damn right I would expect to be helped with “even a strip of tape” to demonstrate what “kindness” is. Lead by example, Canada Post.
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The good thing is there are other shipping methods to choose from. The bad thing is the average consumer defaults to Canada Post because it’s, you know, the country’s mail place.
Lesson learned for next year, maybe?
(Thankfully, I wasn’t sending anything time-sensitive on Monday so I had no issues at the post office.)
