Banking at the Post Office - here's what you need to know

Former_MSE_Naomi

We've written a new blog about Banking at the Post Office - share your experiences of Post Office banking services here.

[Deleted User]

IanManc wrote: »

And if you click on the link you get:

"Whoops!
Sorry, you've landed on a page that doesn't exist."

:rotfl:

Yup - remove https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/" from the URL and it works

r2015

If you can find a post office.

ValiantSon

r2015 wrote: »

If you can find a post office.

There are currently 11,659 branches in the UK, so they aren't exactly rare, and 99.7% of the population live within 3 miles of one (98.7% of rural population; with 92.9% of the population living within 1 mile).

http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN02585/SN02585.pdf

EssexExile

It's a lot nearer than the nearest bank & they serve food & drink too.

boo_star

r2015 wrote: »

If you can find a post office.

When you find one there's usually a short queue that takes an unreasonably long time to deal with.

I certainly avoid using it for anything where possible which basically means picking up the occasional parcel when my usual postie is off and someone else can't be bothered to knock on my door.

its_all_over

r2015 wrote: »

If you can find a post office.

I think I have 5 post offices in a 2 mile radius from my home, there are a lot more post offices than bank branches these days.

I have to drive 3 miles to my only bank branch in the area and then pay for parking to be able to park close enough to the bank to go there.

Wellard_Mann

boo_star wrote: »

When you find one there's usually a short queue that takes an unreasonably long time to deal with.

I certainly avoid using it for anything where possible which basically means picking up the occasional parcel when my usual postie is off and someone else can't be bothered to knock on my door.

This. Exactly. Not an organisation with which I choose to do business.

ValiantSon

Wellard_Mann wrote: »

This. Exactly. Not an organisation with which I choose to do business.

You do know that Royal Mail and the Post Office are different companies, don't you?

As to queues, how else should customers be dealt with if not in the order in which they arrive? You will find queues in banks too.

karlie88

I find Post Offices very useful.

Agree that queues can be a pain sometimes and you can't tell what the nature of business of the 2 customers in front are, one with a passport application and another sending a parcel to Timbuktu that requires a signature - so what seems like 2 minute wait turns into a 10 minute wait. But if you time it right then there is no long wait - avoid school drop off and pick up times, avoid Saturday mornings, avoid lunchtime etc.

Being a bank account tart, I can deposit and withdraw money from TSB, BoS, Lloyds, First Direct and Nationwide current accounts. I can deposit cheques. I can get proof of posting for items that I send and therefore I'm covered for claims up to £20. The list goes on...

I find they're invaluable.

A_Nice_Englishman

You can

Withdraw cash from your usual bank account using your card
Pay cash into your usual bank account using a card or paying in slip
Check your bank balance using your card
Deposit a cheque using a paying in slip

Cash can withdrawn at an ATM or as cashback in many shops (which are likely to be nearer than a Post Office)

I can't remember the last time I paid cash in. I get one cheque a year (expenses from a charity I
volunteer for). My bank insists I use a pre-printed paying in slip at a Post Office but I don't have any so I just wait until I'm in town and use the bank branch. If that's a week or two so what?


Balances can be checked at an ATM or from the comfort of my armchair by phone or online

Post Office banking seems to have become more of a social service for those unable to use technology and who never visit a medium/large town.

Edit: The cash withdrawal process at a P.O. is barely any different to an ATM. You just tell the clerk how much you want instead of pressing a button.