Printing out your own postal label

soolin

I print my own via paypal for all airmail items and parcels (when paypal is working!). For all standard UK I stick stamps on as I buy several hundred pounds worth at a time.

I have a set of digital scales though and a proper rigid plastic PO size measure.

My local PO makes a fuss if i drop the things off there and make me wait until every one else is served before they recheck all my weights, so I only did it there once! Now the local sorting office takes mine, they gave me a sack and I drop them off every day and they just stamp the certificates of posting from a pad that they also supply. As a business I can also get sheets of airmail stickers, customs labels and other stationery.

The good thing about the sorting office is that they will accept my post for same day sorting up to 6.30pm and from 7am in the morning. They also sort it straight away which emans virtually everything in the uK arrives next day including parcels and 2nd class.

However I am very strict about weights, i never ever push a weight as this works on trust for me, they even stamp my COPs without opening the sack so I feel I have to be extra honest. If a package seems tight in the letter slot it goes as a packet, if it is on the exact weight for the price band I will probably go to the next bad.

greenoo000

Hi, Soolin, you sound like you have a good set up there. I can't get to the sorting office though coz mine is about 40miles away.
I think I will stick to the local village post offices, They are quite good fun to go to actually, the people are really friendly, and if they get a commission that has made up my mind. I think I will have to gossip less at the post office and that will be my time saver!

harveybobbles

rde wrote: »

My local PO politely ask us not to use Paypal postage labels

The cantankerous old bag at our PO asks me the same, but seeing as she has never once been nice or polite to anyone I refuse. I've even gone as far as doing a Recorded item via PayPal Postage to really naff her off.

soolin

greenoo000 wrote: »

Hi, Soolin, you sound like you have a good set up there. I can't get to the sorting office though coz mine is about 40miles away.
I think I will stick to the local village post offices, They are quite good fun to go to actually, the people are really friendly, and if they get a commission that has made up my mind. I think I will have to gossip less at the post office and that will be my time saver!

I can walk to two Post offices but my local small one cost me a fortune as they refuse to take much as a large letter, even if it merely touched the sides it counted as a packet and i couldn't afford to carry on using them. My locla sorting office is a 5 minute drive away and cna now sell heavier items as I don't have to worry about carrying them long distances.

My sorting office is the nicest place ever, I am welcomed with open arms and they are going to get several boxes of chocolates and things as a thank you from me at Christmas.

macfly

harveybobbles wrote: »

The cantankerous old bag at our PO asks me the same, but seeing as she has never once been nice or polite to anyone I refuse. I've even gone as far as doing a Recorded item via PayPal Postage to really naff her off.

harvey - really. Baffles me why anyone would use their own paper, ink and printer to do something which still has to be taken to an office. If she is so bad at her job, she may decide to mess you about too.

macfly

By the way soolin. the rule book states the item must pass "easily" through the opening in the guide.
Far too subjective a statement.

popadom

I find the royal mail's online version ok, but you have to pre pay, which is a bit annoying (why not use pay pal or just keep card details). But it makes my life easier. I live in a part of wales where everyone knows everyone and a few generations of family live in the same street. (Bit daunting, as where im from in england, i didnt even know the neighbours name let alot talk)

Anyway, the post office is always full as the staff have a 10 min natter with everyone that comes in. Some one came in with 100 letters and started sticking them all on in front of the counter (only two people serving) . Thats why i'd rather use it online. I can just pop it in the box and done, no wating.

But for things like recorded and packages, i would still go to the post office as if you mess it up, like others have said, you could delay a package and get bad feedback..

(i sound soo anti social...)

Mayday

www.smartstamp.co.uk offers 1st and 2nd class self print postage labels (which I would use) , but there is a monthly fee - so not for the occasional user like me.

soolin

macfly wrote: »

By the way soolin. the rule book states the item must pass "easily" through the opening in the guide.
Far too subjective a statement.

It is very subjective isn't it? They reckoned if it even touched the sides at all it didn't go through 'easily' but the local Crown office a 15 minute walk away would allow anything that went through without getting stuck.