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.

Emma S's fantastic Post Office review made me think I should probably post about one of my most…read moreused local services in the Jewellery Quarter. Firstly, it should be noted that it's moving soon. It will be a real shame as it's current location in the Big Peg is very handy to get to as it's slap bang in the middle of the Quarter. I could turn this into a rant about the increase in the prices to actually post things, but that's not this particular branches fault; so I will steer clear! It's opening hours are OK, but no matter what time of day you go in here - it's ALWAYS busy. As it's the main postal hub for the JQ, many of the businesses use it for their post (as well as the local residents). Expect queues of up to 25 minutes at particularly busy periods. The staff here are definitely at two ends of the spectrum. Some are happy, cheerful and helpful and some... aren't (to keep it diplomatic). Mind you, I wonder if I were very cheerful if I was serving someone like me (with up to 22 packages for eBay or some-such at any one time). As a plus point, it covers nearly every service. Currency exchange, parcel services, Check and Send Passport, Passport photos, Cash Machine and... well... everything a big post office would do. It doesn't sell any cards or novelties in this branch, but you have Tesco over the road and plenty of stores nearby should you need to grab and post in a hurry (forgotten birthday anyone?). I genuinely hope that they'll stay a similar size when they move to cater for the residential and business trade, but I guess that remains to be seen.

I often use this post office when I can't be bothered to get dressed properly and trudge up to town…read morewith an Ikea bag full of eBay packages. For some reason I feel like I fit in better looking like a crazy in Hockley than in the bustling crowds of the Birmingham metropolis. Unfortunately for me though, and everyone else who has to use this place out of logistical convenience, the service is really, really slow. I must spend an average of 20 mins queueing in this place each time I come. There is no shop in this post office which is a real pain. Especially when you've queued for half hour then realise you need some extra box tape or something. I'm also pretty put off by the shoddy booth they've erected in front of one of the cashiers desks to take passport photos. It feels pretty weird stepping into the realms of Narnia just to send a package and buy a few stamps.

Post Office seems to have random opening hours, feels like an ad hoc hobby rather than a…read moreprofessional business. Shame as this is a handy location with parking available

The recent closure of many post offices across the city has made me realise the sheer significance…read moreof having a branch close to home! Thankfully, I live very close to Sir Harry's Post Office and its open six days a week. There are two main staff members who deal with post office duties and I've become such a regular that we've grown to exchange random banter when I'm there - although I doubt those queuing behind me appreciate my random conversation! The staff are very helpful and friendly. They have a limited supply of stationary, which is useful when you don't have the correct type of envelope or need sellotape to reinforce your parcel! Only it's a little absurd that you have to pay for this at the confectionary till when it's adjacent to the post office counter. There's the added convenience of being in a grocery shop in case you need food supplies.

The People at the MBE Mailboxes Birmingham were amazing. David has gone over and above in order to…read moreresolve an issue I had (which was no fault of their's at all). I cannot thank David and the team enough, they really have been so fantastic. And how lovely that you can speak to real people, and not an automated chatbot. I would highly recommend them and look forward to dealing with them again in the future.

Re. MBE Birmingham The collection and shipping of an antique…read morebronze. My shipment arrived in perfect condition and I am most grateful for the careful and intelligent way in which my purchase, was packed: the packing was truly excellent, with double-boxing and plenty of good packing materials, not just bubblewrap. I've been in the arts trade for forty years and I haven't often seen packing as good as that! Also . . . the price was more than fair. I can wholeheartedly recommend MBE Birmingham.

Very friendly staff , excellent location offering an essential service so highly reccommend .read more

Not quite in the centre of town but need to access a post office? This particular post office is…read moresituated in Newton which is just before you get into the city centre and next to Aston. There is a small shopping area in Newtown which offers a small range of shops and takeaways. There's this post office which is the main post office in the shopping complex. It's a nice little post office, it's usually not too busy so you can just pop in and be straight out in no time; however once in a while you will get there and there are a few more people than usual. My experience of the post office has been positive and I don't have anything negative to say. I've always received great customer service. One thing the staff there will not tolerate is ignorant customers. Last time I went in there, there was one person who was being slightly rude; but they were quickly put in their place.

This is my local post office, and I love it. Because I use it almost everyday to post my mail. Very…read morefriendly service and very quick to deal with customers as compared to other hall green post office by waitrose which is slow service. But this one is better, the only down side is that this one don't deal with road tax. There is always parking on the street. They also have good range of greeting cards available at good prices.