For years, I would avoid the main post office, especially at peak times, and go to a small local…read moreone. That's before they bought in self service machines and it's probably not overstating that it has changed my life somewhat. It may not be any quicker at the self-service machine, seeing as I'm not a trained PO professional but I pretty quickly learnt the order the questions are going to come up on the big touch-screen in front of me to select what sort of postal service I need. You will be very unlucky if you have to wait in line here as there are plenty of machines that mostly work. If there is anywhere you may have to wait in line is if you need a 'proof of postage' receipt or are sending by any traceable service (recorded deliver, special delivery etc.) but otherwise your stamps are printed along with your receipt in seconds and you pop your post in the box and go. Even better, the post office is now open until 6.30 each week night. It is almost empty for the last hour as no-one knows about late opening. Until now that is.

As Post Offices go... This one is pretty good actually. Ideally situated just off Victoria Square,…read moreI believe it's the largest Post Office in the City Centre. It offers all the services you would need, including a travel money service, a selection of collectable coins/small gifts, insurance/banking and a cash machine. There are a number of counters (and normally plenty of staff), so you WILL have a wait (inevitable these days), but now there is a ticket system in place so you at least have some idea of how long that's going to be. Plus, no more queuing! This branch has installed plenty of seats so you can sit and wait to be called. I popped in to post a parcel to America this week. Obviously, being the festive season... It was packed. I took a ticket and was informed there were 15 people in front of me. When you get your ticket from the automatic machine, you select the service you require (meaning that people waiting for passport/financial services aren't in the same queue as people who just want to post something). Posting things abroad is expensive these days, but the friendly and helpful member of staff I encountered made the pain a little more bearable. Once I was called, I scooted up to the desk to be greeted with a big friendly smile and was asked what I required. I explained I wanted to post a parcel and the guy gave me a sympathetic look and asked me to place my item on the scale. Yes... It was pricey. After going through the American import protocol (filling in the little sticker that pretty much renders any surprise gone for the recipient as you detail EXACTLY what is in the parcel), we had a chat about who I was sending it to and what I was sending. Not in a creepy way, just an interested one. Whilst the exchange was going on, we got to the subject of upcoming travel plans. With two trips abroad planned (so far) for 2014/2015, we got on to the subject of their various financial services for people going on holidays. Now, I am pretty clued up on currency etc - but he had some pretty good information about services I didn't know the Post Office offered (and assured me he wasn't on commission). I left lighter in the wallet, but not too bothered about it. I did everything I needed fairly swiftly and without and hassle. The service I received was pretty fantastic and I left armed with information about things I very well may use in the future. I would definitely use this Post Office again rather than my usual JQ branch if I was headed into town.

There's been a lot of talk lately over the death of the local post office. Whilst the one at the…read moreQueen's Head in (or at least near) Londonderry can't lay any claim to single-handedly reviving the local post office, it certainly bucks the trend. Having lived in Wolverhampton for three years and used their cavernous, pretty grim post office, it was nice to go to a smaller much more community based one where the three staff know the local people and regular customers. It's nice to feel a part of that kind of environment; one which is increasingly difficult to find in cities. It also maintains the Post Office trend of selling random items (handbag anyone?) alongside envelopes, paper and sellotape whilst you wait behind people posting stuff they've sold on eBay (the only reason I go in there) or folk sorting their car tax out. Yet perhaps the most useful thing about this Post Office is that it has a free cash machine outside, one of the only ones in walking distance around the area (the other is on Langley Green High Street).

I visited this post office today to simply pay a bill. A horrible man running this place. I made a…read moremistake going to this place. All I asked was a receipt for a bill I had paid. The owner refused. Started shouting abuse and told me to get out. Then came out of window area to threatened me and walked me out of his precious shop! He told me that he has three post offices and this made him a 'big' man! So I must bow down to worship him!! Was very rude, has no manners, no customer service skills. Very illiterate person with no business acumen. Came out the shop as I drove away to 'sort' me out. I have informed the Police. Terrible! Stay well away. Better to another Post Office who treat you with respect, and know how to talk to their customers. Unbelievable how a small transaction escalated with this stupid man, all he needed to do was to provide a receipt! This person should not be allowed to treat people in this way, and should not represent post offices. He should be strictly disciplined and not allowed to operate post offices. This person has had this behavior for years which is very poor but today he went over the line. This is not acceptable. The Post office I visit was 30 St Pauls Rd, Smethwick, B66 1EH. They were two men, one claimed to be the owner. Both had the same behavior and was extremely rude and insulting to me.

Naila in the local post office really helped today with delivering a book I needed to send to the…read moreother part of the country. Great service, and provided plenty of different options to get it there quickly, and as cheap as possible.

Keeley sorted out my provisional licence and photos for me after going to a previous post office…read moreand they couldn't help, keeley was extremely helpful and resolved my problem on the spot, thankyou so much Keeley!

I visited this post office on Saturday 19th August and the lady that served me was so very helpful…read more Nothing was too much trouble for her. She really is an asset to your team.