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ON THURSDAY WE told you about David Curran, a man who is testing the problem-solving skills of the good men and women of An Post.
He has sent envelopes with the addresses using pop-up book mechanisms, jigsaw puzzles and even using mirrored writing, all in an attempt to see how far An Post will go to deliver a piece of mail.
So far, An Post has been up for the challenge with most envelopes being successfully delivered, however their advice is to quit while he’s ahead.
Up for the challenge?
We asked An Post what they made of it all, and if their postmen and postwomen enjoy a a good puzzle.
Anna McHugh, Head of Communications for An Post said:
This is yet more proof that we have the smartest, sharpest postal staff in the world.And many would say the most attractive, best-dressed postmen and postwomen too!
Nothing gets the better of us – not rain nor snow, icy roads, snarling dogs, cantankerous cats, psychopathic geese or even preposterous puzzles.
‘A true legend of letters’
There are clearly no enemies here as An Post also had some kind words to say about Curran.
We love people who realise the power of the post. Mr Curran is a true legend of letters, a postal champion, a King of the puzzles.
While the lads over at An Post enjoy a good laugh they do have a job to do.
“However…. and here comes the necessary warning in a slightly stern voice….much as we like a challenge and we entered into the spirit of it, we really have to get on with delivering the mail now – not solving puzzles, piecing together jigsaws or pondering pop-ups! So don’t push it…. best quit while you’re ahead.”
An Post says it faces challenges (not exactly like this) almost everyday where people write either illegible, incorrect or vague addresses on post.
Our quality of service is top notch now and one of the main reasons is our insistence on the use of correct postal addresses. So we intend to stick with that.
We do work sometimes work magic with very scant details – we deliver lots of mail to ‘Katie Taylor, Ireland’ and to ‘Rob Heffernan, Walker. Cork’.
And to less well-know people too, with scant detail.While we will always do our best for customers, we ask them not to take chances as most incorrectly addressed mail cannot be delivered.
If you want to make sure a letter gets to where it has to be, here’s what to do:
“Our advice is to always use the full correct postal address and heed the regulations governing the size, shape and make-up of what may be sent through the post!”
Images courtesy of David Curran’s Tumbler blog: ‘Me Versus An Post’.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Anna Mchughs description of the postal staff is a super statement. She should have dropped in “exceptional lovers” just to top it off.
In fairness to the postmen/women they do a great job of finding some places with the most vague address on the post.., hats off to them..
They sometimes Ask around and they eventually find the person..” Do you know this Mary?” Ah shur jaysus I wouldn’t know I’m from da village..” Try the lads from the estate.”" Good lad yerself.. On da ball bhoy..”"
What a priçk. It’s like showing going to the doctor and telling them what’s wrong with you in riddles.
A kick up the arse he wants.
Someone has way too much time on their hands!!
My niece was sent money in her birthday card and it was stolen, when her mother reported it she was told it was a common occurrence.
Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I think the mail is sacrosanct and something like this should be be treated as a criminal incident ant fully investigated.
Yes but how many times have people been warned not to send money in the post. Pay the extra few euro and get it registered.
@Pilib O Muiregan,
Not the point I was making, registered or not it should have been investigated.
My girlfriend used to work in a sorting office and said they are regularly tested by an post sending envelopes with money through the system to try catch staff out . They rarely find anyone willong to steal to be fair . But when they do they are immediately sacked
@Fian,
Glad to hear that.
How can they investigate it? There are hundreds of thousands of letters every day. Don’t send cash in the post.
Ironically, when I tried to share this article on FB, the Journal threw up a captcha which I couldn’t decipher…
I have to say. An Post is really tops when it comes to postal service. Very impressive indeed.
An post calls there staff attractive…
That could backfire..
I bet you wish you could edit your post!
as could, your post.
Why Alan??
Of course they all have lovely bottoms
Back in 1988 When I lived at No. X, Dalkeith Crescent, Belgrave, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia I got a letter from a neighbour back home addressed to mr.Willis, Ballykeith Cross, Belgrave, Australia.
I still have that envelope.
When ever I’m in holidays I always pick up the free postcards in the pubs, write a few of them and address them to myself and friends marking them free post. It’s amazing how many get delivered without a stamp. Just a bit of craic , sine takes months to arrive
Does this tw*t think An Post aren’t busy enough?
Why Alan?
pity he can’t spell ‘adress’
He can, you can’t.
“adress” is related to speech (The principal will a. the student body.); this form may be a noun or a verb, whereas “address”, either electronic or physical, relates to a place name (internet a., or I live at …); this is always a noun. There is a difference in the pronunciation also.
Sorry, that’s boll1x. It’s “address” in both senses. You just copy/pasted an incorrect answer from Yahoo Answers.
I wanted to send Enda a lump of coal for last Christmas saying it was from Santa but it is getting too expensive to post anything these days, better email him it instead lol.
You could then make your own funny cards???
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