Letters: Why do I have to pick up my post from the supermarket in France

To the Editor,

I am an expat British resident in Aix-les-Bain and recently found a notification card from La Poste in my mailbox informing me that a letter was awaiting collection at Intermarché, which is on the town's outskirts.

I was both surprised and perplexed and called at the main La Poste to ask why. 

A customer service adviser told me it was because of the area of the town in which I live. 

She also stated it would not be possible to have the letter transferred to the main post office and that I would have to go to Intermarché to pick it up.

I am very angry. No prior notification had been given of this new arrangement. 

If they can come and put a collect notification card in my mailbox, they should also have made the effort to drop in a note of explanation too.

Read more: Letters: French lettres recommendées are by no means infallible

Why should I have to waste time and expense going to Intermarché to collect something of which I know no details and which I may not want anyway?

I am an 81-year-old pensioner with no car and Aix has a high proportion of elderly

residents in the same position who must feel this new stipulation will cause much inconvenience.

It was only a few years ago that La Poste moved to spanking new offices in the

centre of town and yet now they are driving the public away elsewhere for some of their business.

La Poste is abdicating its responsibility to be the guardian of people's mail up to the point of delivery by outsourcing to a business which has no direct affiliation to it and

where items could go astray. I cannot help thinking: has La Poste been won over by Intermarché in a clever marketing ploy to tempt more customers into the hypermarché?

Mike Guy, Savoie

Editor’s note: We asked for an explanation from La Poste management in Aix-les-Bains, who stated:

“In towns and cities, contact points are being developed to respond to urban developments and changing lifestyles, as a complement to the post office network. 

"National agreements have been signed with major retailers (Carrefour, Intermarché, Casino group, Auchan, etc.) to meet customers' needs and habits. La Poste Relais’ outlets are located where customers live. 

"They offer extended opening hours and provide the essential services of La Poste. Since October 8, a new point of contact has been set up in the town of Aix-les-Bains at Intermarché. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 16.30."

Have you had problems getting hold of your mail or parcels? Share your experience at letters@connexionfrance.com