Comments on: Postman, Mailman, hand me that mail http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/ Sat, 19 May 2012 12:06:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Shefaly http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2272 Shefaly Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:19:53 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2272 Lekhni In the last 10 years, better delivery models than 9-5 have also emerged. So I see it as positive. Re India and e-commerce, it probably won't surprise you that travel (e-tickets etc) is the largest e-commerce category in India. Logistics is a management nightmare still, as is the process efficiency required in the whole supply chain. :-( <strong><em>And to think that e-tickets are a relatively new phenomenon in India :) With so many new airlines, I suppose there is much more potential for air cargo..perhaps it's just a matter of time before it gains acceptability. Years ago, there used to be an online grocer in India (Bangalore and Chennai) called Fabmall (you could buy everything from rice to sugar onlne). They would deliver in your preference of time/ day, and the stuff used to be wonderfully packed. I loved them. Then they changed their business model to selling books and CDs alone - the logistics became unmanageable :( Lekhni

In the last 10 years, better delivery models than 9-5 have also emerged. So I see it as positive.

Re India and e-commerce, it probably won’t surprise you that travel (e-tickets etc) is the largest e-commerce category in India. Logistics is a management nightmare still, as is the process efficiency required in the whole supply chain. :-(

And to think that e-tickets are a relatively new phenomenon in India :) With so many new airlines, I suppose there is much more potential for air cargo..perhaps it’s just a matter of time before it gains acceptability.

Years ago, there used to be an online grocer in India (Bangalore and Chennai) called Fabmall (you could buy everything from rice to sugar onlne). They would deliver in your preference of time/ day, and the stuff used to be wonderfully packed. I loved them. Then they changed their business model to selling books and CDs alone – the logistics became unmanageable :(

]]> By: aandthirtyeights http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2271 aandthirtyeights Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:59:26 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2271 Its funny. I wrote a letter (as in wrote with pen and paper) after really long to a friend, and she sent me an email telling me that she got the letter and that she'd write back... <strong><em>A handwritten letter is considered a big treat now :) Or maybe that was a veiled hint about your handwriting ;) She is probably saying - I will take a few days to decipher your writing, and a few more to write! Its funny. I wrote a letter (as in wrote with pen and paper) after really long to a friend, and she sent me an email telling me that she got the letter and that she’d write back…

A handwritten letter is considered a big treat now :) Or maybe that was a veiled hint about your handwriting ;) She is probably saying – I will take a few days to decipher your writing, and a few more to write!

]]> By: Meira http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2270 Meira Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:26:28 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2270 Sheesh! No wonder most people have started couriering goodies. Better expensive than lost! <strong><em>Makes sense, right, with even couriering within the same city being faster and inexpensive. I remember, some years ago, the Indian govt. even considered banning couriers (purely because the postal dept. was losing out, of course). Thankfully, the consumer won finally. Sheesh!
No wonder most people have started couriering goodies. Better expensive than lost!

Makes sense, right, with even couriering within the same city being faster and inexpensive. I remember, some years ago, the Indian govt. even considered banning couriers (purely because the postal dept. was losing out, of course). Thankfully, the consumer won finally.

]]> By: km http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2269 km Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:57:17 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2269 I once saw a mailman dump the entire contents of his bag by the side of the road. Maybe he was being very prescient because email had only been invented then :) I once saw a mailman dump the entire contents of his bag by the side of the road. Maybe he was being very prescient because email had only been invented then :)

]]> By: Anil http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2268 Anil Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:18:01 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2268 The good old days :) <strong><em>Yes :D The good old days :)

Yes :D

]]> By: Adithya http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2267 Adithya Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:29:54 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2267 Snail mails of course are digging their own grave. After all, not all postmen can be like Thanappa of Missing Mail (Malgudi Days). <strong><em>I doubt there are any Thanappas even in small towns any more. The friendly neighborhood postman probably exists only in films and books :( Snail mails of course are digging their own grave. After all, not all postmen can be like Thanappa of Missing Mail (Malgudi Days).

I doubt there are any Thanappas even in small towns any more. The friendly neighborhood postman probably exists only in films and books :(

]]> By: Dinesh http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2266 Dinesh Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:55:50 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2266 Interestingly, I havent had any problems with the postmen in Madurai, knock on wood. They were friendly people, atleast when the time I was there permanently, which was when I born till the mid 90's. Postal dept. losing the shine means a lot of folks without jobs and will have to get themselves somewhere else. But anyways, I mostly use UPS as they are very reliable and get a lot of things done online like you said. So the reality of your last statement is inevitable. <strong><em>Noida is unique in so many ways ;) UPS and Fedex are cutting into USPS with their Ground service, and if USPS is seen as unreliable, then it bodes even worse for them.. Interestingly, I havent had any problems with the postmen in Madurai, knock on wood. They were friendly people, atleast when the time I was there permanently, which was when I born till the mid 90′s. Postal dept. losing the shine means a lot of folks without jobs and will have to get themselves somewhere else. But anyways, I mostly use UPS as they are very reliable and get a lot of things done online like you said. So the reality of your last statement is inevitable.

Noida is unique in so many ways ;)
UPS and Fedex are cutting into USPS with their Ground service, and if USPS is seen as unreliable, then it bodes even worse for them..

]]> By: Shefaly http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2265 Shefaly Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:46:30 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2265 Lekhni Could it have varied by sector? I lived in Sector 37 about 12 years ago but I never had any issues with the postman demanding any bribes or losing my mail. I also had a lot of subscriptions and they all came on time. As for the death of the post office, I see a different trend emerging. E-commerce has ensured its long life. Nearly always things have to be signed for so they do not go missing. Most of the important stuff - bank statements, bills etc - are all online so they are safe from 'stealing' or being dumped. If I got any less junk mail, I wouldn't be upset. So I think all in all, new business models and new consumer behaviour all around. <strong><em>Perhaps it did vary by sector, or even by postman! Having to have almost every mail signed for, of course, means there has to be someone at home, so it's very hard on working people. You're right that e-commerce is a great boon, and while I am not sure how much it has taken off in India, it's just a matter of time.. Lekhni

Could it have varied by sector? I lived in Sector 37 about 12 years ago but I never had any issues with the postman demanding any bribes or losing my mail. I also had a lot of subscriptions and they all came on time.

As for the death of the post office, I see a different trend emerging. E-commerce has ensured its long life. Nearly always things have to be signed for so they do not go missing. Most of the important stuff – bank statements, bills etc – are all online so they are safe from ‘stealing’ or being dumped. If I got any less junk mail, I wouldn’t be upset. So I think all in all, new business models and new consumer behaviour all around.

Perhaps it did vary by sector, or even by postman! Having to have almost every mail signed for, of course, means there has to be someone at home, so it’s very hard on working people. You’re right that e-commerce is a great boon, and while I am not sure how much it has taken off in India, it’s just a matter of time..

]]> By: Arby K http://elekhni.com/2008/11/postman-mailman-hand-me-that-mail/comment-page-1/#comment-2264 Arby K Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:48:14 +0000 http://elekhni.com/?p=1004#comment-2264 Never had a postman charging for post in my home town in Kerala, but it became a bit different when I came to Chennai. Here, though we never received a post outside couriers, we were greeted by three postmen on the day of Diwali asking for "contribution" . We very nicely told them to get lost :) . <strong><em>It's amazing how many people "remember" to greet us on festivals ;) Telephone linemen, for instance.. Never had a postman charging for post in my home town in Kerala, but it became a bit different when I came to Chennai. Here, though we never received a post outside couriers, we were greeted by three postmen on the day of Diwali asking for “contribution” . We very nicely told them to get lost :) .

It’s amazing how many people “remember” to greet us on festivals ;) Telephone linemen, for instance..

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