Postal Strike - Post Offices/Parcel Force

skylight

The Background - I need to send parcels to family and friends serving in Afghanistan. There is a free parcel service up to 2kg which you drop off at the post office and they take to MOD London via the Royal Mail.

During the strikes I need to avoid Royal Mail; BFPO have told me that specific couriers take parcels to BFPO London but most of these appear to be for business customers only. Parcel Force are one that can take the parcel to MOD London; however their website informs me that I am only able to purchase this service from Post Offices. (I know that it will be chargeable and not the free service)

So my question is, are the post offices themselves closed during the strikes and if not, how will the items be collected from the post offices?? I just don't know who does what within the Royal Mail/Post Offices/ParcelForce.


I will also be posting on the Armed Forces board to see if there are any other options available.

Ta

custardy

parcelforce/post offices are near unaffected
the only issues are collections however i would expect PF to be collecting
check out the courier thread in this section for resellers who use PF and do home collections

poptones

Hi, I know this thread is a few days old but for those who use the service it's rather important news.

Parcelforce will be collecting not only their paid service to BFPO addresses but also the free Royal Mail service for the duration of any strike.

This doesn't officially start until monday but collections started today.

Make sure you hand the item to Post Office staff - if you put it in a post box on the street or in the post office it will get caught up with the rest of the mail.