[Merged] Print your own postage stamps

greencreeper · 28-09-2006, 20:18

It's not good. It sounded a great idea but Royal Mail have clearly rushed it. Firstly, you have to include the name of the recipient, property number, street... and so on. This is fine for a letter to gran, but not when sending letters to businesses, some of which have PO Boxes. The solution, according to the FAQ, is to put "PO Box" in each required field, which looks a mess. Next I tried printing the stamp, which is difficult because you have a choice of DL, A4, and a few label options (have to buy labels from Royal Mail...). I looked at my C5 envelope and sighed. Ended up printing a label on A4 and cellotaping it to the envelope. Another mess. Payment took too long - I very nearly gave up, putting the 32p down as money well spent on a valuable lesson. I've sent my feedback to Royal Mail.

Avoid!

eoin.miskell · 28-09-2006, 21:00

They do a better service than that one its called SmartStamp but the only downside is it cost Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£4.99 per month on top of any postage you use. (http://www.royalmail.com/smartstamp)

Gareth · 29-09-2006, 10:51

Yeah, there were a couple of letters in this week's Computing moaning about this new service.

Apparently you can't just print the barcodes and then pop your envelope/parcel in just any post box, but have to go and get it verified at a post office. If that's the case, you might as well just buy the stamps whilst you're at the counter.

gazzae · 29-09-2006, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

Apparently you can't just print the barcodes and then pop your envelope/parcel in just any post box, but have to go and get it verified at a post office. If that's the case, you might as well just buy the stamps whilst you're at the counter.

Only if you want a certificate of postage. Otherwise you can just stick it in a postbox.

Halcyon · 29-09-2006, 10:55

They need to go back to the drawing board with this idea as it seems to be sinking fast.

Gareth · 29-09-2006, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzae

Only if you want a certificate of postage. Otherwise you can just stick it in a postbox.

Oh, right... thanks for clearing that up. I had only read about it in Computing - haven't tried the service yet myself.

AndyCambs · 29-09-2006, 16:38

I tried it and found it very good.
My suggestions are to increase the options for printing on envelopes.
Certainly if you are posting something abroad, which requires an odd amount of postage, then this saves queuing up in the post office.
You can pay on your credit card - and there's no additional fee.
Ok - you have to add PO Box to name, and street lines, but is this a problem?

Remember also, it's not intended for bulk mails - but individual letters its fine.
You can buy the labels at Staples - they do a four labels to A4 sheet - so you don't have to buy them from the Post Office.
If you're printing a C5 envelope, this should equate to lower label on a 2 labels per A4 sheet surely?

pop80_uk · 29-09-2006, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzae

Only if you want a certificate of postage. Otherwise you can just stick it in a postbox.

I was told by our local post office manger that every online postage purchase be it for a letter, a large letter or a packet had to be checked by the post office before posting and you could not simply put them in a box box after buying the postage.
I had a lot of DVDs to send and it seemed totally pointless to use the online service. As you spend time printing the labels and weighing and getting it all sorted and then once you finish doing all this you have to wait in line in the post office and get them all checked.......so you might as well not bother with the online service and just go straight to the Post office.

As I say this is what I was told by the post master of the main post office in our town, so I would expect him to know his stuff.

It could have been such a good service.

Hope this helps.

gazzae · 29-09-2006, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop80_uk

I was told by our local post office manger that every online postage purchase be it for a letter, a large letter or a packet had to be checked by the post office before posting and you could not simply put them in a box box after buying the postage.
I had a lot of DVDs to send and it seemed totally pointless to use the online service. As you spend time printing the labels and weighing and getting it all sorted and then once you finish doing all this you have to wait in line in the post office and get them all checked.......so you might as well not bother with the online service and just go straight to the Post office.

As I say this is what I was told by the post master of the main post office in our town, so I would expect him to know his stuff.

It could have been such a good service.

Hope this helps.

I don't know, the RM site seems to indicate you just post it.

Quote:

Step 3 – Send your mail

Put your postage onto the item you’re sending
Post your mail by the end of the next working day after purchase
For International mail, you can print out pre-populated customs forms
A pre-populated Certificate of Posting can also be printed (you’ll need get this validated at a Post OfficeÃƒâ€šÃ‚Â® branch)
Remember: you can only use your postage once.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/j...diaId=35100675

It only says you need to go to the post office if you want a certificate of posting.

greencreeper · 29-09-2006, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

If you're printing a C5 envelope, this should equate to lower label on a 2 labels per A4 sheet surely?

Nah - I tried the different label options and it was just a mess

Once you have printed the "stamp", you can just post the later - no need to go to the post office. You have 24hrs in which to post it.

Shaun · 29-09-2006, 22:09

All seems like a mess.

Will continue to buy our stamps at WHSmiths and use the Amex for the points.

Jules · 29-09-2006, 22:12

I think I will stick to going to the post office after all if we don't support them when we need them they will all be gone

29-09-2006, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

I think I will stick to going to the post office after all if we don't support them when we need them they will all be gone

i agree, losing postal services is pants, but we need our 'post offices'

the 3d barcode comments are something else, and should be referred elsewhere, imo

danielf · 29-09-2006, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

You have 24hrs in which to post it.

What's that about then? You bought a stamp that is valid for 24 hours? Can you get a refund if you don't use within the alotted time then?

greencreeper · 29-09-2006, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

What's that about then? You bought a stamp that is valid for 24 hours? Can you get a refund if you don't use within the alotted time then?

A sort of "Mission Impossible" if your post boxes are like the ones in my area - thin on the ground and abused

No refund.