Hey i_like_stuff , if I do not know a parcel is coming how do I take resposibility ???
Hey Porkchop , I hope nobody sends me an elephant the LPO will want to charge me for feeding it even though they could not deliver or give me a “Red Card”
Same with my delivery instruction “leave at door” but no up at the front gate 125 metres away and not visible from the house , that is the odd parcel that actually gets delivered to the house and I mean odd
I tweak to the scammers
Australia Post moved towards digitising their postal delivery service about 2 years ago:
The shift is to move all notification services to their App:
At the same time, the way parcels are tracked has changed. When a MyPost account has been set up using your registered email or phone number, parcels are automatically registered with the account which then provides notifications.
Almost all Australia Post domestic delivered parcels are now tracked, and notifications are given through the app. We have also noticed that with text message notifications, these seem to be only for Australia Post envelopes and parcel boxes, where a mobile number is attached to the delivery information and provided direct to Australia Post.
As outlined in my previous post, Australia Post keeps details of individuals and deliveries. This appears to allow Australia Post to link parcels which don’t have tracking (e.g. a parcel from overseas which doesn’t have tracking) to automatically add them to deliveries to an address providing notifications through the app.
Australia Post doesn’t say ‘all’ parcels are automatically added to one’s account/app, so there may be (limited) exceptions. Possibly these are where delivery information doesn’t match the registered information in the account/app - maybe such as the phone number or addressee’s name is different. Australia Post would only be able to confirm what parcels can’t be automatically added.
It appears that if one wants notifications, the app must be used. It is a change which may not accepted by some, but, I can see why it is done. Reasons for using app include efficiencies for Australia Post by automating notifications and tracking, improved parcel security on delivery (only account holders get notifications rather than anyone who finds a ‘red card’) and to minimise risk of Australia Post customers being scammed (e.g. bogus notifications using other means).
The online advice from AP and other sources repeatedly advises the “Red Card” delivery advice failures will continue to be used for customers who prefer this method and for those customers who do not have a MyPost Account. Further that Tracking is still possible through the AP Web site without an account if the sender has provided a tracking number.
Registering as a MyPost Customer is not compulsory. One of the issues that that may have arisen for the OP is that they are not getting a “Red Card” for parcels held at the LPO, noting that AP do not deliver parcels to their property. To also note that even if a customer has A MyPost Account registered, looking to the links from your post and others, AP advises there are circumstances for which a parcel may not be linked to ones MyPost Account.
The OP may have an issue that is specific to AP and parcel deliveries to their address or it is one more widely encountered. There is an option for the OP to take it to the Ombudsman - previously suggested for further investigation/resolution.
Agree that using MyPost may reduce issues for many, however it appears the service still relies on the details provided by the sender in a format AP’s system recognises correctly. It’s not 100% assured. Also agree there are some potential security needs that AP must consider when attempting to match a delivery by address with a nominated contact. If not provided by the sender, the MyPost App substantially removes that doubt, assuming the account holder keeps their details up to date.
PS. AP also advises LPO’s will keep parcels for 10 business days after which they will be returned to sender. As we have a PO Box, we have found that the missed delivery advice may be left in the Box.
Reading information on the Australia Post website appears to present different information:
Australia Post also are pushing customers to use their apps. If one refuses to use the app, it is highly likely information about a delivery won’t be received.
That last bit of info says “we’re moving away from leaving cards after an attempted delivery “ go figure , we do not even get a parcel delivery service so there was no “attempted delivery”
You get more accurate and useful information than the card for an attempted delivery , what a load of
when you get nothing
The following from AP suggests the intent includes making it someone else’s problem to change customer behaviour. Note highlights in yellow.
An obvious question for everyday consumers posting a parcel over the counter.
Does AP also insist the sender includes the same information or refuse to accept the package?
Does AP also advise the sender that unless the intended recipient has a MyPost Account?
It would seem if AP continues to move to digital notifications only there needs to be changes to how they are managing parcel postage. Further to note with an AP parcel sent by us last week, the recipient did not receive any communication of a pending delivery. No one around here is aware of the proposal to end the missed delivery notification via a “Red Card”. At least until this topic was opened.
AP has the tools and ability to do more. It has previously shown its ability to spend tens of millions on TV and other marketing promotions. Perhaps in this instance it needs to make a similar move, or should consumers assume AP is avoiding the risk of push back of a very public debate over the move.
It may only be a minority who see an issue. That one needs to share a mobile and or email alongside ones name and address with AP one cause for concern. A second that if the MyPost App is also relying on name matching, every possible recipient at an address will need to be added to their national data base. Consider sending your 5 year old Grand Daughter a special gift for the BDay. Where will the brain wave behind “AP Moving To” digital only missed delivery advice (or for rural notifications) take us. Ultimately AP are saying they need 100% of the Australian population on a data base - correct name, street address, email and mobile phone number. A very valuable resource.
To note some time past.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/byebye-mr-postman-australia-post-launches-online-letterbox/news-story/a12802f56ba854d7351e94dce4ccc9a9
Not sure how well that has gone.
[Re Australia Post online letterbox circa 2012]
Did that idea go anywhere at all …? I do remember it being announced. I don’t remember anything more about it.
It keeps getting mentioned “the delivery failed” no it did not it never happened
This is how it works , someone sends a parcel to me it goes through the system till it gets to the local distribution centre then the mail and parcels go to separate contractors
Normally the parcel contractor fills out the “Red card” and the mail contractor delivers said “red card” to me , I then go and pick up my parcel , job done
Now , no “red card” so how I am I supposed to know that a parcel is waiting for me at the LPO
Auspost has not notified me they are stopping “little red cards” so I am blissfully unaware of any change
Now all you good folk are telling me to get a MyPost account but here is the dilemma how secure is this MyPost account , we have seen companies large and small hacked and one would have to imagine this MyPost account would be a very lucrative target
Because we are outside the parcel delivery area we do not get a discount or renumerated for doing part of the work the sender has paid for that being the final delivery to my address , but we have a cost to go and pick up said parcel and return it to the address that the sender paid for it to be delivered to
As outlined earlier, Australia Post has your details irrespective if one has an account. Whether one has an account or not, the risks aren’t different.
I suggest you use the Australia Post app, which is the ‘new way’ Australia Post does things, and see how it goes.
Considering the following is still on the Aust Post web site, with no additional advice to say AP are going to discontinue the service. Opportunity to suggest we are missing something here. Or should AP talk to their web master?
My highlights, noting roadside delivery is how most regional rural mail is delivered. Parcels optional depending on the delivery area. Perhaps Australia Post should do a letter box drop and leave a card to advise of the change just to be sure? 
This is very specific delivery circumstances, where delivery is to the roadside only and not to a residential premise. This doesn’t appear to be the above scenario and would be only those where such conditions apply. This scenario could possibly fits into the exceptions outlined in my earlier post. It could also be legacy information which has slipped through website updates to current Australia Post notification standards. No one except Australia Post would be able to confirm.
Other information on the Australia Post website is consistent about use of apps and ‘digitised’ notifications. That being, Australia Post uses ‘digitised’ notifications for most deliveries. As indicated earlier, Australia Post now prefers ‘digitised’ notifications which have mostly replaced the old red card system. Australia Post has the ability to notify recipients by ‘digitalised’ methods as they keep such information in accordance with their privacy policy, irrespective of whether an account is created or the app is used.. They also suggest use of ‘digitalised’ notifications is automatically done for most deliveries. It is most, not all, which suggests there are some exceptions. As outlined above…
I am not going to waste my time to try and find inconsistencies with information available on the Australia Post website or through media releases. There is overwhelming information on what approaches Australia Post currently uses and where it is heading, as indicated in previous posts.
One can chose to try and avoid using Australia Posts ‘digitised’ notification system, but, it will be a losing battle as this is the direction, right or wrong, Australia Post has chosen to take.
“Lie down and think of the Queen”, as they say, or should it now be the King?
Australia voted to accept more than the traditional option. As a consumer based discussion why should consumers not challenge a service that is not meeting the consumers needs? Albeit in this instance one Govt still has control over. Although the USO for postal services only includes letters. Previously up to 500gms in weight but more recently 250gms maximum.
Parcel delivery, we are all free to choose to have items delivered, or not. Although the choice to receive is not always within control of the recipient.
No where does Aust Post say it will refuse acceptance if a parcel for postage if the sender does not provide the recipients email and or mobile contacts. Nor does Aust Post assure the sender the parcel will be delivered or the recipient advised of intended delivery or non delivery if the recipient does not have a MyPost account.
Seems very straight forward. Aust Post is not offering senders a reliable parcel delivery service. Although AP it seems failure is to be blamed on the recipient.
And for those who are expecting a delivery, the scam is particularly effective. Despite my reluctance to confine my purchasing to online only I find that many items I wish to purchase are being only being sold online through a third party via Woolworths, Bunnings et al as a “marketplace” seller, there is then a further disconnect between seller and buyer, it’s a jungle out there!
It is very effective, and why I suggested above Australia Post is pushing the use of its app. Notifications through the app are secure and one knows it is from Australia Post.
Any other form of notification or tracking (SMS, email, online messaging, red cards, fake websites etc) can be exploited by scammers.
My safe-tracking practice for years has been to add a link in my browser for the AP or courier tracking site with tracking number pre-filled, when/if I’m told the tracking number and if the tracking site displays the number in the URL (so the bookmark goes to that tracking number). Then I use the bookmark to check the status rather than going to a link in an email or text message. Once the parcel arrives, I delete the bookmark.
I created an AP account and installed the AP app some time ago (when I was for once sending a parcel), so get notifications in the app for AP and AP-contracted-courier items.
Not for other couriers, though. I still use the bookmark approach for those.
But we are talking perception versus reality here, less-well informed members of the community will still be exploited by SMS scams etc unless the roll-out of the app is done in a coherent and thorough manner. I had an item that was a replacement for a faulty product (long story to put it mildly) held up at the seller’s end as the system had inserted “Tasmania” rather than “TAS” in the postal address and it was unable to be recognised, I fruitlessly wore a pathway out to our letterbox over a number of weeks expecting the item to arrive. Aus Post could only be described as being in a state of seige as its primary business has shifted almost exclusively to a parcel delivery service. The staff of our LPO have been for quite some time now the most morose, irritable and at times unhelpful employees I’ve had to deal with anywhere…
Even with a coherent rollout of the app, Australia Post SMS scams are likely to continue. This is mainly because Australia Post routinely used SMS as their notification method in the past. Many recipients have been conditioned that notifications are by SMS. Breaking this in the short term will be challenging.
One thing I failed to mention is that half the village (residential) gets parcel deliveries , the other half (Rural residential) does not me included , now heres the but , if you send a parcel to this postcode you pay the same amount regardless of the delivery , now is that fair when I have to retrieve said parcel at my cost that is if I get a “little red card”
Now this card is a small price for Auspost to pay in compensation for me doing a return trip to the P/O
When I am next in the LPO I will chat to them about the app but point out that you good folk have found info that says I may be exempt and eligible for said “red card”
Yes, I have, unfortunately. But do you want the price to go even higher?
It isn’t always obvious though whether tracking is available optional / mandatory / not available at all … particularly as, at best, that information may only be evident at checkout.
You might find this information on the product page, shipping details page, or at checkout. If not, you could always reach out to the business and ask. It’s probably one of the first things you should check before loading up your cart 
