I could simply kill the Deutsche Post (German mail) for two reasons that make me so angry I want to shout incoherently:

1. The Deutsche Post spent thousands of Euro to build so-called Packstationen (packing stations) all over Germany. So if you are unable, on a regular basis, to come to your post office during office hours, you can authorize the Deutsche Post to deliver/accept your packages at these stations, all automated and with a minimum of fuss.

Problem: Even if you haven't given such an authorization and aren't home when a package for you is being delivered, it is automatically taken to the Packstation, and you're supposed to collect it there. Which would be all nice and well... if it didn't happen to be winter and freezing cold, and your package didn't contain any sensitive electronics. I, for one, don't intend to let a DVD I bought freeze to death in sub-zero temperatures for days on end while I happen to be away for a few days.

Further problem: There's no one you can contact and complain to, and no one who'd agree to go back to the former status quo and deliver your packages to the (nice, warm, heated) post office instead.

2. The Deutsche Post branched off into banking a long time ago, called Postbank, and you used to do your transactions by filling out the money transfer form and sending it to your Postbank in a blue envelope provided by the bank that you could put into any mailbox of the Deutsche Post, anywhere in Germany. That has changed.

Problem: Today, you're allowed the awesome total of 12 (!) envelopes a year; any other set of 12 costs 6,60 Euro. You're supposed to either use the great new boxes in the post offices (where you can refrain from using an envelope), or to do your transactions online. But the boxes in the post offices are only accessible during office hours. Duh. And online banking is kind of risky if you don't use a firewall, isn't it?

Further problem: Once again, there's no one to complain to or to rectify the situation. Evidently, they're still glad to take your money for zero interest and zero costs (apart from the above, that is), but service... no, service is no longer important.

You're unhappy with them? Too bad for you. The Deutsche Post is now verrrrrrrrry important worldwide, and is no longer concerned with its puny German customers.

I could cheerfully throttle the whole bunch. Idiots. I guess I'll have to find a new bank. Fuck.