Post Deliveries

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 6:24 pm

We are still waiting for delivery of Christmas Cards posted at least a month ago, by relatives in UK. The local PO in Lapta, to which our mail goes, just shrug and say 'tomorrow' !!! This is whenever we go there. Since this happens mostly around Christmas time every year, I am thinking that Istanbul and/or Lefkosa/Girne have a policy of withholding these cards. Lapta PO gave us a phone number of head man in Girne - needless to say, it just rings and rings then cuts off. Has anyone else had this problem and attempted to do anything about it, or knows what the problem is??

13roman58 · Post by **13roman58** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 6:27 pm

No delivery for 3months of pension statements to our Karsiyaka po box

aerhere · Post by **aerhere** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 6:37 pm

We are still waiting for 7 cards posted in August (from various UK post offices) to arrive, we have given up all hope of these getting here now.
Of numerous Christmas cards posted late November, none have arrived. Only one card posted in December reached us and it was in a brown business type envelope with a typed address, marked Private. We also use Lapta post office. Goodness knows where all this mail is.

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 7:17 pm

Missing cards here too and also a box of Lindt chocolates posted from Zurich in October. Someone has eaten them by now I expect!
Same last year with the cards we eventually got a few in March.

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 7:34 pm

Further to my post, I am now going to send a letter (will that get there, ha ha!) to the Postmaster at Girne PO complaining! Will be interesting if I get a reply - by post or not!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 7:58 pm

This has been happening every year for at least the last twenty! The UK post always builds up at Christmas. Here when they simply are not geared up for Christmas the backlog lasts for the rest of the year. I give up and encourage remaining friends and family to send ecards or messages and relieve the pressure on the PO for vital mail. There are still one or two die hards who post cards - I usually get them in February - one year it was September!

Mimi2 · Post by **Mimi2** » Wed 03 Jan 2018 10:21 pm

We use PO box Ledra St. Post office. Cost's 32 euro a year all post arrives within 10days of being sent

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 10:23 am

Well, they apparently have sorting staff in Lefkosa as they can tell brown envelopes from white - proves they can sort - if they want to. It begs the question, what do they do with the white ones??!!

I don't accept that we just put up with it and/or tell our elderly correspondents/relatives/friends in the UK that they now have to learn to type and use email!! My friend, being 95 now, doesn't know one end of a computer from the other - and why should she?

In any civilised country the communications' systems should be a priority and if this country really wants to be recognised as a 'proper' country, then it should be possible to up their game re the mail which is still an important means of communication in business and otherwise. More sorting staff in each PO would give good employment to the Turkish Cypriots, which I would have thought they would welcome.

I lived in Cyprus during the end of Eoka/independence from British rule , days and because it was a British postal system, it was very efficient even in those days. A great many people use a PO box 'over the border' so that shows that the Greek side still know how to run a PO system reasonably efficiently, why not here?

I think of all the good work done by voluntary organisations here, ie KAR, Tulips etc - they didn't sit back and shrug their shoulders and tell people they shouldn't get cancer/ignore the many sick, abandoned strays - they did something. OK that is much more serious than a letter, but the principal of shrugging shoulders is the same! No, I am not going to start my own postal system, but a letter of complaint once in a while MIGHT one day get to the right person.

cyprusishome · Post by **cyprusishome** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 10:34 am

Several years ago we complained to the boss of UK postal service and they set up a survey of mail sent to TRNC from the UK. It clearly identified that all business / brown envelope mail arrived at its destination where as white / hand written envelopes had less success. I know BRS did a similar trial with similar results. It was outside of the remit of UK post office to ascertain what happened after mail left the UK but what is certain is that personal mail to the TRNC has a good chance of not arriving at its final destination for which we must draw our own conclusions!!!!

katecornwell · Post by **katecornwell** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 10:36 am

I have received 2 cards out of 15 that I KNOW were sent and my nephew sent me a calendar at the end of November and still has not arrived . My friend read me something from Cyprus Today, that there was a problem with the postal service and they have been on 'strike'ish' due to the elections coming up - so you never know after the elections which are due shortly, the post will be flooding in to our PO boxes - PIGS FLY!!

BOERBOEL · Post by **BOERBOEL** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 12:35 pm

We were sent two business letters in August, neither has arrived!! Needless to say have not seen birthday cards for November or any Christmas cards either.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 2:55 pm

When, on a different subject, and a different thread I mildly criticised the way things were done here, I was told if I did not like it, I should go elsewhere. !!!!!! What is it with this forum, you cant have it both ways

Does anyone remember when it was discovered that someone in the London PO was misdirecting anything sent to the TRNC. The occasion when a British postman decided his sack of Christmas mail was too heavy and dumped it in a ditch!

Also a lot of mail gets put in the wrong PO Box at Girne or delivered to the wrong house. If the owners of the house or box are away it can stay there for months. It is perhaps understandable that the sorters can get confused by English names - as we have trouble with theirs! The PO advised some time ago that you included a first name as well as initials as there are people with the same surname and similar initials = it actually happened to me that only one letter differentiated mine from someone else.

If you are a "swallow" or away for Christmas please make arrangements for someone to check your mail while you are away and redeliver as necessary.

PS I do sympathise with the elderly lady who cant use a computer - I find it difficult myself and it took me ages to learn even the basics, but unfortunately in this day and age it is essential. I also understand about the problem of elderly relatives - I can never persuade one of mine that posting five days before Christmas it will not get here intime.
I sent a a relative who was int he early stages of dementia and a young friend who was just scatterbrained, a supply of addressed labels so they got the Mersin 10 bit right.

On the other hand when I had my house in theUK, my young Agent consistently sent vital communications with only UK postage on the envelope - Royal Mail sent it on with a notice they had sent it by a slower route - took several months, pigeon post?

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 4:09 pm

Our relatives have been posting their mail to us well over a month before the date we would like to receive it, and it is true that seemingly 'business' mail does get delivered - so it cannot be because English names are difficult for them! My sister used to send her letters via her husband's business with a 'franked' address and payment - this always got here and our address here is 'care of Lapta PO' and we have lived here permanently for a long time now. Lapta PO does a pretty good job themselves, the problem I suspect is Lefkosa's PO. Surely they can read Lapta/Karsiyaka/Girne on the envelope and get it that far? Like a lot of people I wonder not for the first time, what happens then to the white envelope mail??? Answers on a Post Card aye! It occurs to me to tell people in UK to only use brown envelopes - then we will see.

jayceebee · Post by **jayceebee** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 4:15 pm

Had no mail at all from UK or elsewhere for over 2 months now!

ElectricianPete · Post by **ElectricianPete** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 4:50 pm

Britain has just celebrated 500 yrs of Royal Mail, so it's hardly Rocket Science.

tingtang · Post by **tingtang** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 5:41 pm

I can only endorse the comments of those above who use a South side postal arrangement.

In 14 years I have never had one instance of delays or missing mail or parcels of online shopping from all corners of the earth with my Larnaca address. I would praise the Greek Postal Service for their security and efficiency

tt.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 9:26 pm

ElectricianPete wrote:Britain has just celebrated 500 yrs of Royal Mail, so it's hardly Rocket Science.

And the TRNC as a country has been in existence for less than 50 years. QED

Btw I dont think Royal Mail by that name has been so long. Surely it used just to be part of the Post Office, and something else in between?

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Thu 04 Jan 2018 11:20 pm

According to this, "The Royal Mail can trace its history back to 1516, when Henry VIII established a 'Master of the Posts', a position that was renamed 'Postmaster General' in 1710.", while the "General Post Office" seems to appear about 1660.....

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Fri 05 Jan 2018 10:10 am

It quite surprises me that no enterprising TC has ever set up an "alternate" mail system using a PO Box in the RoC as a delivery point. Would it not be simple to rent a large P.O. box in the RoC and let anyone use it then make a small charge for a collection from this side? Let's say I rent a P.O. Box in Ledra, I check it once a week, I empty it once a week, I bring all the mail back to a central point in Girne, I let the people, who I have allowed to use my P.O. Box number, that mail is here for them when I have collected it, I arrange with them a time to collect it from me and I charge them a nominal amount of - lets say 10TL - to collect their mail. Cheap to do, would pay for the rental and cover the cost of my fuel to and from the Ledra crossing on a weekly basis and may even make a profit worth having as time went on and customer base grew. Question is, would it be legal???

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Fri 05 Jan 2018 3:25 pm

Waddo, what a good idea! Don't know about the legality but how would anyone but the users know? It would be well worth the 10TL or so. the only problem that I can forsee is that very elderly people may not be able to get to Girne to collect, but I am sure others would help.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Fri 05 Jan 2018 3:50 pm

A great idea , particularly for the elderly and disabled and others who cant get to the South. But I doubt the Turkish Cypriot authorites would approve if they found out. The Greek Cypriots, however, would surely notice a large amount of post (especially if it included parcels) to one box for a number of people with foreign names. And talking of parcels what about customs - at best you could be liable for two lots of duty!!!! Sorryto be a killjoy on this one

And how would explain to friends and relatives in England to whom I have been explaining for 20 odd years that I do NOT live in SouthCyprus - too confusing!

meldy · Post by **meldy** » Fri 05 Jan 2018 7:45 pm

I used to share a PO box in the south with friends. Only the named holders of the PO Box are supposed to use it. We did have a problem with a parcel for collection one time as it had my name on it and the box was in my friends.

tingtang · Post by **tingtang** » Fri 05 Jan 2018 10:13 pm

Whilst, Prima Facia, Waddo's suggestion of a combined Post Box is an innovative notion I would caution against it, certainly for anything other than letter mail.

On the South side any mail/parcels from outside the EU ( and post Brexit will include UK) can be, and often is, opened and inspected because it is common practice for senders to under declare the value of the goods or mis-describe the contents. If the value of the goods is obviously in excess of 15 Euro you will find a green form in your mailbox requesting that you go to the P.O. Customs office to collect and, which may, or may not, be in the same building ( I don't know Ledra Street). Once there you will need to pay Customs Duty (varies upon the nature of the goods) plus VAT of around 20% plus a PO clearance charge of 5 Euro or so. The aggravation part is that you will likely have to produce the purchase invoice for the goods.

Add to that the possibility of Customs inspection on the Turkish side it would not be worth the hassle. Even with letter type mail I certainly would not collect for persons other than those I know very well, not all are law abiding and may buy porn or illegal drugs by mail order and I would be left to carry the can.

tt.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sat 06 Jan 2018 8:31 am

Oh well, it was just a thought but it has brought up new information as well and all information is useful. Guess if you want to make sure that your mail gets to you - or that the sender receives compensation for it's loss - then you can ask the sender to always use: https://www.royalmail.com/personal/inte ... l-standard
as the alternative. Expensive - yes. But the more lost and the more claims that have to be paid will highlight the problem to all the mail handlers along the route and may have more effect than a letter of complaint?

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Sat 06 Jan 2018 10:10 am

Good points raised so I will continue to write my complaint letters .........!

carrierbag · Post by **carrierbag** » Sat 06 Jan 2018 1:10 pm

We are waiting for Christmas cards too but some did get through. I saw something in CT a fortnight ago that said the PO has staff shortages ...they cannot recruit, I suspect because they actually have to work in that branch of the CS. They said there is a backlog but who knows if there is or indeed, when or if it will be sorted (excuse the pun).

Jonnie · Post by **Jonnie** » Sat 06 Jan 2018 11:15 pm

I suppose if you move away from the UK to a country with a known poor postal service........

Come on this is not the UK and it being not the UK is probably the biggest reason you came.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 8:56 am

Jonnie, agreed! But then if you feel the need to request continuous improvements in Internet speed then let the rest of us request continuous improvements in other things as well - like the postal service as an instance - lol.

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 10:26 am

Thank you Waddo for your good sense. The BRS have responded to an email of mine re the above problem and they are forwarding it to the Government Liaison Officer for taking up with the Government - so even if nothing comes of it, at least something has been done!

If Jonnie reads one of my original posts he will note that the postal service years ago was superb, instigated no doubt over many years by the BForces but nevertheless, the Greek side can still operate it efficiently, or reasonably. I did not move away from the UK to a country with a 'known poor postal service' rather this country was always toted as one with 'continued UK legal system etc' ..... yes, I know that too seems to have gone to the wall somewhat! When we first came here this time the mail was not too bad but has gone downhill over the last year or so. No reason for it not to pull it's pants up now, is there?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 2:56 pm

Just about everything was better pre 2004 , those of us who came before then knew the country and what to expect, and accepted the faults in return for the peace and quiet , natural life. Unfortunately post-2004 there was a great influx of expatriates with less knowledge of the country and different expectations of lifestyle. This lead to unacceptable pressures on all services and the infrastructure, a change in the culture and attitudes and increase of mercenary values of the native inhabitants. Eventually the requirements of the new incomers for luxury items, and reliable public services has in turn led to updating (eg new power stations and the Turkish water) and a consequent increase in the cost of living that is causing hardship to many older Turkish Cypriots and expats.

For some reason the Postal Service has missed out somewhat on the updating. Perhaps because it is difficult to recruit suitable staff as other job opportunities arise.

As I said before, you cannot have your cake and eat it.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 3:04 pm

There is saying "Be careful what you ask the Gods for, as you might get it". Some years ago the BRS sent a representative to Royal Mail and to Lloyds Bank (from where a lot of post was going astray). As a result Lloyds designated the TRNC as an unsafe country and insisted on sending everything by courier which was far too expensive for some of us. Despite the fact that I had already proved (and told the BRS) that the delays were due to Lloyds own systems

It was also proved that at that time, a "mole" in Royal Mail sorting office was crossing out the "Mersin 10" address and redirecting mail to the South.

cambridge · Post by **cambridge** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 7:17 pm

R.R. We were here prior to 2004 and it was a completely different country as it is today.
I am sure that the "problems " you talk about are as much to do with influx of Turkish money and personnel as to do with expats.
You cannot live in the past as much as you may want to.
Yes it was quieter and more laid back but look at the UK has that changed for the better?

ttoli · Post by **ttoli** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 8:13 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:Just about everything was better pre 2004 ,.

The Cypriots that I work for and with , disagree, they saw the world around them expanding and wanted the same , the UK that I left in 2005 is not the same , It's called progress apparently

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 8:34 pm

Noas far as I can gather (I have not been back for l8 years) theUK has not changed for the better. That is no reason for Cypriots to jump over the same cliff. I did say expats without specifying nationality : I think the Brits share a lot of the blame for the adverse changes, but by no means all of it, As for Turkish money, we are back to the old argument that if the rest of the world had given the TRNC justice , it would not have been needed. However the current situation of private enterprise in Turkey benefiting from the situation by purchasing land for commercial reasons is debatable to say the least.

As for progress, grrrrr I am sick of people saying "its progress" It all depends on ones priciples and where you want to progress to!

ttoli · Post by **ttoli** » Sun 07 Jan 2018 10:33 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:Noas far as I can gather (I have not been back for l8 years) theUK has not changed for the better. That is no reason for Cypriots to jump over the same cliff. I did say expats without specifying nationality : I think the Brits share a lot of the blame for the adverse changes, but by no means all of it, As for Turkish money, we are back to the old argument that if the rest of the world had given the TRNC justice , it would not have been needed. However the current situation of private enterprise in Turkey benefiting from the situation by purchasing land for commercial reasons is debatable to say the least.

As for progress, grrrrr I am sick of people saying "its progress" It all depends on ones priciples and where you want to progress to!

I have been here long enough to remember those days of Bells at Alsancak the only place that you could buy "English Stuff", the Green Jacket Bookshop and the Friday drink at Pegasus bar , then onto Gloucesters (Now Rocks ), Villa Swallow ending @ night Jar , for the likes of you and I , it maybe unwelcome change , but it is progress for locals

sammydavis · Post by **sammydavis** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 9:45 am

Oh dear! All I wanted for Christmas was a few cards!! Not a war of words from some who assume they are the only ones who 'know' Cyprus.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 9:55 am

Let me know your address next Christmas sannydavis and I will send you a card! Though come to think of it, that may not work either, a Cypriot friend sends me cards from Famagusta and they rarely arrive, He gets mad about it and reports to the Post Office but no result and he can do it in Turkish too.
.

smartiepants · Post by **smartiepants** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 5:02 pm

My sister sent me Christmas cards and calendar in November still waiting , also not received pension statements for over seven months now. Then last week did received a Christmas card posted 12th Dec. Wheres the rest, I live Catalkoy.

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 5:54 pm

About 3-4 months ago, the Minister in charge of Post here said that in order for foreigners to receive their mail they should ALWAYS have their Post Code printed on envelopes. I accept that and we tell everyone we know to use it However, what really stuck in my throat was the remark "we, (the TRNC postal service) is NOT responsible for safe delivery of mail, and foreigners should ALWAYS send their mail via Registered Mail" Has that idiot checked what it costs to registered mail from UK?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 8:39 pm

ttoli wrote:
Ragged Robin wrote:Noas far as I can gather (I have not been back for l8 years) theUK has not changed for the better. That is no reason for Cypriots to jump over the same cliff. I did say expats without specifying nationality : I think the Brits share a lot of the blame for the adverse changes, but by no means all of it, As for Turkish money, we are back to the old argument that if the rest of the world had given the TRNC justice , it would not have been needed. However the current situation of private enterprise in Turkey benefiting from the situation by purchasing land for commercial reasons is debatable to say the least.

As for progress, grrrrr I am sick of people saying "its progress" It all depends on ones priciples and where you want to progress to

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quote]I have been here long enough to remember those days of Bells at Alsancak the only place that you could buy "English Stuff", the Green Jacket Bookshop and the Friday drink at Pegasus bar , then onto Gloucesters (Now Rocks ), Villa Swallow ending @ night Jar , for the likes of you and I , it maybe unwelcome change , but it is progress for locals

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ah, yes, I remember it well! But I remember even further back (yah boo!) before Bells when The Corner Shop in the old quarter was the only place for British Food, except for the old Tempo where they allegedly drove a lorry across Europe every month or so to bring some English goodies! And Alan Cavendar who moved onto Pegasus when Veli took it on, ran a bar called"The Melting Pot" which became a meeting place for expats in a Chinese Restaurant in the old town....... Ah down memory lane again ....................

As for progress for the locals , not all see it that way. I have them bemoan the loss of Cypriot culture and despair at the high rise building and sale and renting of land to wealthy foreigners (not post 04 Brit pensioners in this case)

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munchy · Post by **munchy** » Mon 08 Jan 2018 8:59 pm

Oh yes, I remember The Melting Pot with Alan C and Mo .Also, The Grapevine The Cavalier Bar and Harbour Bar and when you could use the Dome Rock Pool FOC.....Memories!

tutor4u · Post by **tutor4u** » Tue 09 Jan 2018 8:23 am

smartiepants wrote:My sister sent me Christmas cards and calendar in November still waiting , also not received pension statements for over seven months now. Then last week did received a Christmas card posted 12th Dec. Wheres the rest, I live Catalkoy.

Ah there you have it, no post at all in Catalkoy is the norm, if it does arrive you have to collect from the post office, because no one does the postman Pat bit.

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Tue 09 Jan 2018 9:20 am

We used to have deliveries in Ozankoy, but they stopped and the Muhtar's office said they could not find anyone else able and willing to do the job - I think this is a large part of the problem lack of suitable staff.

Now in Okoy we have to collect our own - very difficult for the disabled and elderly because of steps and difficult parking. Some of the pigeon holes with the more popular starting letters are crammed and you get home only to find you have collected someone else's by mistake and have to go through the ordeal again. I suspect a lot of the missing mail also goes into someone else's bin. There are some names that appear never to collect - probably swallows and British Cypriots. If you are only here for a few months -as with post office boxes - please, please ,please arrange for someone tocollect your mail so it does not jam the system.

aerhere · Post by **aerhere** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 11:54 am

Has anyone had any luck with their Christmas cards being received from the UK? I am still going to the post office in hope ...... The staff shake their heads at me before I even walk in the door now! Is it just post from the UK that is not getting through?

kayc · Post by **kayc** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 1:02 pm

I've lived here for 2 years and not once received the mail that was sent to me from the USA. Not ONE letter, and people always ask "did you get my letter or package".... I can't help but wonder WHO gets them if I am not?!

What's the deal?!

Keithcaley · Post by **Keithcaley** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 1:13 pm

kayc, have you asked people to address letters to 'Mersin 10, Turkey'?

Have you been to your local Post Office to enquire whether there is any post for you?

Panchocat · Post by **Panchocat** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 2:04 pm

Someone somewhere has probably eaten the Lindt chocolates my Swiss friend sent me from Zurich in October.
She sent a box to Japan at the same time and that arrived within five days of being sent.

waddo · Post by **waddo** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 2:08 pm

Catalkoy - I received mail this week sent from Spain via the UK (I don't know why) but it was sent on the 5th of Jan and arrived in my PO Box on the 15th of Jan. Funny thing is I already have a PO Box in Girne but made up my mind to get one in Catalkoy as well just to see if any mail got to there. The mail I received did not have my PO Box number in the address but the postman had written it on the envelope and dropped it into my (Catalkoy) PO Box. I am still awaiting another letter, from the same company, sent on the same day, to my wife - no sign of it in either box as yet??????

Still awaiting receipt of two boxes of Welland closed pouches for a friend of mine as he has a stoma and needed them - sent last August and of course two christmas parcels sent in December 2016 and December 2017!! I have given up on the one that was sent in November (to miss the Christmas rush) 2008 - lost cause and anyway the cheese would be off by now - lol.

Medjoul1 · Post by **Medjoul1** » Wed 17 Jan 2018 6:48 pm

Last year the lady in the sub post office in Lapta assured us (with a straight face) that any correctly addressed mail sent from the UK would be delivered to our door. We were in the UK over the Christmas period and as an experiment sent a letter to ourselves here in Lapta on the 27th of December.
Nothing yet but will go up asap to see if it has got that far.

Asia111 · Post by **Asia111** » Thu 18 Jan 2018 4:12 pm

I posted a business document from Girne to UK a few months ago. I was offered a ‘tracking service’ for an extra few TL which I accepted.

A waste of time as the tracking service was limited to movement within TRNC and to add insult to injury the tracking service with TRNC revealed that it took the postal service over a week to get the piece of mail off the island. The mail went to Lefkosa, back to Girne, back to Lefkosa again and then eventually departed for Istanbul. I never got to know how long it took for the document to arrive in the UK or if it arrived at all!

In the past I have also posted cards end November which have taken over a month to get to UK destination.

DISGRACEFUL SERVICE!

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