Disillusioned Royal Mail customers turned to Broughty Ferry Scouts for Christmas post
Broughty Ferry's Scouts enjoyed a staggering 40% increase in the volume of mail delivered by their Christmas card postal service, and their success has been attributed to widespread disillusionment with the Royal Mail.
- Published in the Courier : 07.02.12
- Published online : 11.02.12 @ 01.11pm
The youngsters collected, sorted and delivered more than 7,100 cards in the weeks up to Christmas — an increase of more than 2,000 on 2010.
A year earlier Broughty's postal service suffered badly from the problems encountered at Royal Mail's Dundee East depot where a new system of working and harsh winter weather severely affected deliveries.
Hundreds of customers complained about late or non-delivered Christmas cards or greetings messages being delivered to the wrong addresses.
Royal Mail was severely criticised for its poor performance and did issue a public apology.
The Scouts have run a Christmas mail service with proceeds going to Scout funds for a number of years and 2011 is understood to be their most successful yet.
Members of the 25th and 49th groups and explorers for 14 to 18-year-olds delivered more than 7,100 cards from five mail boxes in local shops.
Ferry ward councillor Derek Scott said: ''I imagine it was a direct response to the problems there were with Royal Mail the previous year.
''So many people complained to me about not getting cards, getting them late or getting them sent to the wrong houses by Royal Mail that they decided they were going to use the Scouts for their local deliveries instead.
''All credit to the Scouts for taking advantage of this and doing so well with their own service.''
David Reid of the Broughty Scout post committee acknowledged that the success may have been in some way due to what happened with Royal Mail.
''There may have been other reasons, too,'' he said. ''The Scouts' service is good with convenient mail boxes in shops throughout the area and it is also cheaper than the Royal Mail.
''It is now 36 pence for a second-class stamp, whereas the Broughty scouts take 20 pence per card.''
He thanked the Scouts who took part and the shops which took the post boxes, as well as the people who supported the Scouts. The effort raised more than £1,400 for the three Scout groups.
05.34pm - 11.02.2012 george - dundee, alba Report This
One of the main problems is that the sorting office seem to equate no backlog as proof of a good service. The fact that the mail and parcels haven't actually gone to the right address or have just gone missing never seems to occur to them.
09.28am - 12.02.2012 Mr Angry - Horsham, England Report This
So why do people consistently use a service that they deem unfit? Noone is forced to use Royal Mail. If you don't like the service find another way of getting your mail there instead of bleating on about how bad it is.
01.34pm - 13.02.2012 bob - dundee, alba Report This
Mr Angry. Unfortunately the boy scouts won't deliver my letters to England. Who else can I give my letters to ? I read here recently of the bloke who drove to Manchester with his passport as he didn't trust the mail. Are we a 3rd world country now ?
05.21pm - 13.02.2012 Robbie MacIntyre - Broughty Ferry , Dundee Report This
Ach I wish I knew about the Scouts delivery system. That's a great idea. I rarely use snail mail these days except for Christmas cards, so I'll definitely give them the custom next year. Royal Mail will NEVER be forgiven for that 2010 debacle!
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