A change at Deutsche Post and DHL could have far-reaching effects on traditional post offices.
But one important function is missing.
A serious change at
Deutsche Post DHL
is currently being tested.
"
Post stations
" could
make going
to the
post office
obsolete in many cases - especially in Corona * times.
However
, these new machines do not provide
some important
functions
.
Frankfurt - Quickly to a
post office to
send a package via
DHL
or buy a stamp.
Queuing in
Corona times
and contact with employees included - that could soon be a thing of the past.
Because Deutsche Post is planning a completely new type of “post office”.
"Especially where there are no branches or only branches with short opening times, the
post office
can represent
a real improvement in service for people," Post Manager Holger Bartels explains to dpa.
But what is behind this change at
Deutsche Post and DHL
, and could the change also affect the traditional
branches
?
Deutsche Post DHL: upgrade of the packing stations - what will change
In principle,
Deutsche Post is following
a trend with its innovation that, accelerated by Corona, seems to be continuing everywhere in Germany.
Post and
DHL are
no longer focusing their offerings on branches alone, but are giving machines more space.
The conventional packing stations get a comprehensive upgrade.
Soon the yellow box will provide services that are very similar to those of a
post office
.
Only around the clock and without staff on site.
product |
Letter and parcel postage in Germany |
---|---|
Standard letter |
0.80 euros (up to 20 grams) |
Compact letter |
0.95 euros (up to 50 grams) |
Large letter |
1.55 euros (up to 500 grams) |
Maxi letter |
2.70 euros (up to 1,000 grams) |
DHL parcel |
4.50 euros (up to 2,000 grams) |
Source: deutschepost.de |
Deutsche Post: What is possible with the new DHL post stations?
So far, the
packing stations have
only been about packages.
At the new
post office
of
Deutsche Post
also letters can be stamped and sent.
But customer service shouldn't be neglected either.
It is planned that open questions can be clarified via video with a member of the customer service team in Fürth.
One downer, however, remains for the time being.
Because only in a few months should it be possible
to receive
parcels
using the new post stations
.
What
Deutsche Post is
currently only testing in 20 post offices in North Rhine-Westphalia could soon also be used throughout Germany.
Because especially in times of
Corona
, the need of many customers to go to branches is decreasing.
On the other hand, post offices are also a kind of social meeting point for many.
With the abolition of postal acceptance points in favor of
machines
, the social life of some could suffer.
And the cityscape could also change in many places if small
post offices
close and yellow, container-like machines take their place instead.
DHL: Will Deutsche Post branches soon be superfluous?
When
asked
,
a spokesman for
Deutsche Post
emphasized that the new
post stations should
by no means be viewed as a replacement for
post offices
.
It is currently rather a test.
“We have branches that are only open two or three hours a day.
We test whether customers prefer the round-the-clock offer, ”explains the spokesman.
The results of the tests would then be evaluated.
How it went after that is still completely open.
In
addition, not every service is currently offered
at the new Deutsche Post
DHL
post
offices
.
In addition to receiving parcels, which is not yet possible at the post
offices
, there are also other issues that customers still have to
deal
with in
post offices
.
This includes
buying
envelopes and packages.
But the
weighing
of mail is also not implemented in the new machines.
In addition,
registered mail
customers must
continue to visit a store.
Trend towards machines at Deutsche Post and DHL
The fact is, however, that the trend towards machines and contactless service is also
clearly foreseeable
at
Deutsche Post
.
Post customers can now send their letters using the mobile postage stamp.
A conventional
postage stamp
is then no longer necessary.
Returns that are to be returned via
DHL
can also be
handed in
directly to
the DHL
parcel delivery
service and customers save a trip to the branch.
Depending on how the pilot is received, the trend could continue.
How this will affect the number of
post offices
in rural and urban areas remains to be seen.
(Sophia Lother)
* fnp.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
A law was passed in the Bundestag that allows postmen to open parcels. However, certain rules are attached to this.