Drop off rather then collection?

GadgetGuru

I have some items where I have organised the RM postage online. The free collection is booked for today. 

What would happen if I were to just take the items to the Post Office instead? 
As I haven't paid the extra to drop off, would they still be accepted?

Just wondering in case the collection doesn't happen (which is a common occurrence for me!).

soolin

My post office will take anything, even RM48 bought online via ebay for drop off. 

GadgetGuru

Yes my PO is the same - take anything - but I noticed when booking postage online (via RM site, not via eBay), it is free for collection but there is an extra 20p charge for dropping to the PO. I do not see this charge when using eBay for a postage label - only when using the RM site. What happens if I do not pay this charge and book the free collection, but take it to the Post Office anyways?

soolin

GadgetGuru said:

Yes my PO is the same - take anything - but I noticed when booking postage online (via RM site, not via eBay), it is free for collection but there is an extra 20p charge for dropping to the PO. I do not see this charge when using eBay for a postage label - only when using the RM site. What happens if I do not pay this charge and book the free collection, but take it to the Post Office anyways?

I have only bought an RM48 label once or twice at most from RM and dropped it off at the PO, and they still took it and I wasn't charged extra. However, the majority of my labels are via ebay where there is no additional charge for dropping off at the PO. 

olgadapolga

The last one I had to take to the Post Office (for some reason they couldn't print the label at the Delivery Office) ended up with the surcharge being applied to my credit card. This was purchased via the RM website though.

soolin

olgadapolga said:

The last one I had to take to the Post Office (for some reason they couldn't print the label at the Delivery Office) ended up with the surcharge being applied to my credit card. This was purchased via the RM website though.

I was expecting a surcharge but luckily seemed to have escaped , but as I said I’ve definitely done it once, possibly twice and rarely ever need to use the RM site for RM48. If I have non Uk parcels to go, which I do frequently, I just hold them for a day or two until I know that I can either get to the mail centre to drop off or arrange a collection. 

GadgetGuru

olgadapolga said:

The last one I had to take to the Post Office (for some reason they couldn't print the label at the Delivery Office) ended up with the surcharge being applied to my credit card. This was purchased via the RM website though.

Thanks - guess they do charge then!
It's strange since there is no drop-off charge when purchasing labels via eBay - maybe it's a deal eBay have with RM?

What's even stranger is that when purchasing labels via RM, you can organise a collection for free, but there is a charge to drop off to the PO - you would think you're doing them a favour by dropping it off to somewhere where they can easily collect in batches, but no, you get charged for helping them!