Well, I didn't know this, and it may be useful to others!

My hobby is Postcrossing which involves sending and receiving postcards from around the world. I like to send nice picture stamps on my postcards. I buy sets of stamps from Royal Mail online shop which also saves a trip to the Post Office.

Another useful service I saw advertised yesterday. If you have a lot of Amazon boxes, they can be filled with donations for charity and a prepaid label printed and the boxes collected. This is all free of charge from www.givebackbox.uk

And for an extra fee it will be collected from your door too....we have a drop box on one of the local trading estates so its out of the way

Doodledog
Here is the coat I made for a friend's dachshund. It's being modelled by my cat who was not impressed.

The post office advertise this on TV.

Thanks to opener and all constructive contributors. Such a wealth of practical information here. I knew vaguely of this service but, now that I have in depth tips, I will give it my best shot. Anticipate introductory hiccups (that's me!!) but hope this will become my normal practice real soon. Great stuff. GN at its best.

There is a 'get proof of postage' facility on the Post Office click and drop scheme.

Do you happen to know if you buy your postage this way it counts as confirmation of posting? I have often thought of using it but I needed confirmation of postage.

Re using Parceltogo, I have used this service for posting to France and it is so reliable especially with DPD.
With regard to give back box, it says safari can't find the server. This is a shame because we have lots of boxes we could use.

Camelot...your poor cat. . I'd never have got that on my cats without blood being spilled (mine).

I want to return an item to Asda and the store is over 20 miles away. I could go in the Collect Plus shop and hand it in free of charge, but am trying to avoid any shops at the moment. I think if I sent it by post I would have to pay, which I might do this time.

GrannieBettie As I said above, there is a facility on the Post Office site, to obtain proof of postage.

seacliff
He was quite sanguine about it and it wasn't on long!

I've been buying stamps and postage online all last year because our village P.O. is very small and distancing and mask wearing just doesn't seem to exist. Royal Mail will also collect pre-labelled parcels from your doorstep, but courier services are usually cheaper.

Camelot He was quite sanguine about it and it wasn't on long! He is a beautiful cat, such a funny expression.

Did you have to use PayPal to pay?

Not everyone has it, which minimizes the usefulness of Deutsche Post which demand payment by PayPal. I don't know what the British post uses.

Yes its been around for quite a while now being able to print your own postage. Post persons are not able to collect from home for a small charge per item. I use drop and go for the post office so that I don't have to wait.

grandtante I didn't use PayPal. I don't have it. I used a debit card.

If the package is too large for the past box, Hermes offer a similar service and you drop it off at a small local shop. Mine is my local Co-op.

Hermes goves a receipt with a tracking number, which is useful.

Does this mean you forego the interrogation of the post office clerk, peering over their spectacles and demanding loudly “what’s in your parcel”? ?

British post doesn't demand Paypal. I think you have to tick somewhere that you are not sending anything forbidden.

We do this a lot. Or for a bigger parcel, use ParcelCompare.com for a drop off point near you. Did this after Christmas with the presents for my daughter and her family - very reasonable price and they got there the day after next.

Post Brexit, one needs to fill in customs declaration form to post abroad. Perhaps can be downloaded, or stock up from Post Office.

I posted a jiffy bag packet using this method. Very quick & easy. For larger deliveries, Hermes are very good. All booked on-line with printable labels. Half the price of Royal Mail & Parcel Force and collected from my porch instead of me having to lug it to the Post Office. Safely delivered 2 days later.

Really good service. However the post is so haphazard at the moment it shouldn’t be relied upon for urgent post.