Kantar - Royal Mail Monitoring and Posting Panel

Baileys_Babe

kerri_gt said:

Or they could print 'don't forget to check the bag for any stamps you are due' either on the paperwork or spare label maybe? 

Meh, who knows 

I like that and or put a message on the site and app to reward stamps in this weeks posting pack.

Saetana

Okay, it seems I need to state the bleeding obvious here - there is an envelope inside the plastic bag because sometimes the bag gets ripped and a) they don't want Royal Mail to see the contents, b) they don't want our stamps getting nicked by...whoever!

kerri_gt

Saetana said:

Okay, it seems I need to state the bleeding obvious here - there is an envelope inside the plastic bag because sometimes the bag gets ripped and a) they don't want Royal Mail to see the contents, b) they don't want our stamps getting nicked by...whoever!

Given the envelopes aren't sealed its not hard to see the contents / nick the stamps, and the return address printed on the plastic bag is kinda a bit of a clue to anyone who knows the address for TNS. 🤷‍♀️

Saetana

kerri_gt said:

Saetana said:

Okay, it seems I need to state the bleeding obvious here - there is an envelope inside the plastic bag because sometimes the bag gets ripped and a) they don't want Royal Mail to see the contents, b) they don't want our stamps getting nicked by...whoever!

Given the envelopes aren't sealed its not hard to see the contents / nick the stamps, and the return address printed on the plastic bag is kinda a bit of a clue to anyone who knows the address for TNS. 🤷‍♀️

But  a small rip in the bag would not be enough to check inside the large envelope inside - I'm 99% sure that is why they do it.

Damio

Has anyone ever tried using the free stamps to send a special delivery item? 

I tried to send a letter special delivery yesterday (well within the 100g price band) with 4x first large and 2x standard first class stamps on it (£6.86 in value, effectively "overpaying" 1p) but the local post office point blank refused to take it saying that normal stamps cannot be used for Special delivery. I took it to the customer service point at the delivery office instead and they took it, no questions asked, reminding me that it wont be delivered until Tuesday due to the Bank holiday.

I know multiple stamps can be used for other services, parcels... airmail etc at face value, effectively "Royal Mail Currency" but wondered if Special Delivery is different?

libra10

@Damio I've had similar experiences at my local village post offices.  They absolutely refuse to take customers' own stamps, saying they use special ones.  I tried to send a recorded delivery letter this past week, and the assistant refused to take my stamps.

A while ago, I contacted Royal Mail and asked about this.  They emailed back and said that your own stamps could in fact be used.

It looks like more training is needed.

General_Grant

libra10 said:

@Damio I've had similar experiences at my local village post offices.  They absolutely refuse to take customers' own stamps, saying they use special ones.  I tried to send a recorded delivery letter this past week, and the assistant refused to take my stamps.

A while ago, I contacted Royal Mail and asked about this.  They emailed back and said that your own stamps could in fact be used.

It looks like more training is needed.

More likely that the local PO wants to make some money by selling the stamps and simply accepting pre-stamped items doesn't gain them any pennies.

libra10

@General_Grant You could be right, it is annoying though when you already have the stamps.

Damio

General_Grant said:

More likely that the local PO wants to make some money by selling the stamps and simply accepting pre-stamped items doesn't gain them any pennies.

I assumed it would be something like that, They've actually shot themselves in the foot though as I generally send 10-15 Special Delivery items and multiple parcels a week at the little village sub-post office, paying cash.

I've emailed Post Office customer services to find out if the pre-paid item should have been accepted and if so I will take my items to the large Post Office in town in future. Individual branches can't make the rules up a they go along.

pallyman

I have never been refused any parcels when i use stamps but tend to leave the stamps a little under and pay them the difference.