Royal Mail Online Postage

li'l_p

I have been using Royal Mail's online postage printer for a few months now and I find it a really quick and convenient way for me to manage my postings, and obviously save all the hassle that comes with going to a post office branch.

I tend to go to several branches, depending on where I am (i.e. home, work, shopping) as it tends to be the branch that is most local at any given time.

I have found that with most branches I have had no query with dropping the packages off with me stating "they are all pre-paid" and handing them over - job done.

However, last week I attended one particular post office for the 2nd time in a week and duly dropped off a batch of packages. The lady took them and said nothing. I was halfway across the street when she came running after me shouting that I needed to come back as the packages needed to be processed and that I had "done the same the other day". I went back explaining as I went that in all the months I have been using online postage, I have never had to wait for the packages to be re-weighed and/or receipts provided. Her stance was that they have to provide a receipt as proof that they have accepted the package, however on thinking about this afterwards that argument is flawed because if I buy a first class stamp and stick it on a birthday card/letter, I just drop it off in the nearest post box and expect that it will have a good chance of being delivered - I wouldn't go and queue at the counter to get a receipt!

We got into a lengthy heated exchange with me stating that there is nowhere on the website to say that packages must be processed at the counter (unless you require proof of postage or the item is tracked, etc) and that is the essence of the facility as it reduces the need to queue, etc, etc.

I accept that this online facility is taking business away from the post office branches, however I for one am sick of their attitudes when you do use the counter facility, especially if you have more than one package. You would think I was asking to send everything for free the way they carry on! It's their attitude that has forced me to use the online method.

Anyway, my question is, am I right in what I am doing? Has anyone else had a similar experience. I have searched the website to see if I can see if it says that all items must be re-weighed and receipted but there is simply nothing on there.

Tigsteroonie

I've often wondered how this works - do you still have to queue up behind people to hand over the parcels? Or can you simply place them in the glassed parcel drawer/shelf/thingie and walk away? We have one counter point with the sign "Fast Track" overhead but it's never manned.

li'l_p

From reading the online info and how I have used it so far (without question) is you just hand the packages over - it is just like buyinga stamp except I can't fit them in the post box.

I have always tended to hovver next to where people are queuing so as not to seem like I am pushing in and just, but just so I can get the staff to open the hatch, take the packages and throw them in the basket.

There is the option to have the item 'Fast Track' but you have to go to a certain post office, of which we don't have any in the area I am in. I am not sure what this entails?

terra_ferma

I use smartstamps which works in a similar way, and the only reason I queue at the post office is to have my CoP stamped, you need that to be able to claim compensation.

A part from signing the CoP they don't even look at the parcels they just go straight in the sack.

Occasionally I drop small packages in a post box, if it's not worth me going to a Post Office.

I use two different PO, and I would say that whatever you do they are never happy.
I started using SS when it was taking time to process my packages, and staff were being rude, now obviously the manager had to comment that my parcels are no good for him as he gets no money....

I've been following other people's experiences and I would say that PO staff don't always know what they are supposed to do and will make it up as they go along....

soolin

I would be very careful about using paypal postage and not bothering to get proof of posting, if item gets lost you couldn't even claim from RM. I pre stamp my goods at home (old fashioned stamps though) and take them all to my local sorting office in the evening and take along a pre filled certificate of posting and always wait until I get that stamped before I leave, even if that means I wait in a queue.

macfly

The OP is obviously not bothered about proof of postage. Where you should take them is your local mail centre. Despite living in Manchester though. mine is only open until 11:30, so it's a nuisance.
The awkward lady is the one doing it correctly. If you drop something in the box, it's directly handled by Royal Mail. The Post Office is a separate business. They get paid to process pre stamped mail, but part of the duty is to check correct postage.

epm-84

macfly wrote: »

The awkward lady is the one doing it correctly. If you drop something in the box, it's directly handled by Royal Mail. The Post Office is a separate business. They get paid to process pre stamped mail, but part of the duty is to check correct postage.

Most post offices have an area for leaving prepaid parcels, which the staff attend to when they are less busy. This is not Fast Track. There is usually a notice saying what the latest time you can leave a parcel there.

soolin

epm-84 wrote: »

Most post offices have an area for leaving prepaid parcels, which the staff attend to when they are less busy. This is not Fast Track. There is usually a notice saying what the latest time you can leave a parcel there.

I live in London I used to use various post offices from small sub POs to large crown ones, none had a designated area to leave parcels safely. I could always take the risk of just leaving them on the counter, but most of the time if people came to the head of the queue and just handed in a bag of parcels they would be asked to wait in the queue.

Myyrrddyn

I use a franking machine and do not have any problem at my post office. If I need proof of postage I have to wait in line to get them done. I think your post office is just being a jobs worth. Yes they do get paid for processing any mail even prepaid, smart stamp and franked.

epm-84

soolin wrote: »

I live in London I used to use various post offices from small sub POs to large crown ones, none had a designated area to leave parcels safely. I could always take the risk of just leaving them on the counter, but most of the time if people came to the head of the queue and just handed in a bag of parcels they would be asked to wait in the queue.

I didn't say it was a safe area to leave parcels.

Post Offices can vary quite a bit between regions. For example, some areas have specific 'Bureau de change' queues, other areas make people wanting foreign currency queue with everyone else and see the next cashier available.

coolmumh

I use royal mails online postage and have had no problems, my girls take my parcels down to the local PO down the road when they get in from school and are duly handed a recipt for them.