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

(87 Posts)
GillT57 Wed 13-Jan-21 13:43:42

Like many, I have been severely curtailing my trips outside the house, and apart from daily exercise with the dog, and my food click and collect we don't go to any shops at all. Problem arose when I had a small gift to post and didn't wish to queue in local Post Office. Went online and found that I could weigh the parcel, pay postage and print label, all ready to just pop in the box. It could be that you all know, but in case it is a pleasant surprise as it was for me, I thought I would share!

FarNorth Fri 22-Jan-21 06:20:53

I found this info -
If a retailer buys stamps direct from Royal Mail, they should resell them at the correct price.
If they buy them somewhere else, they can resell for whatever price they want.
Of course no-one is checking where anyone got their stamps.

becleverwithyourcash.com/corner-shop-stamp-rip-off/

FarNorth Fri 22-Jan-21 06:09:54

shock smurf44 I just looked and there are lots of offers of stamps at these kind of prices on Amazon.
I guess it's a 'buyer beware' situation.

Smurf44 Thu 21-Jan-21 23:18:27

I always thought that stamps had to be sold at a particular price set by the Post Office. Currently 66p for second class and 85p ? for first class. Last week I noticed an advert for buying stamps at Amazon and was horrified to find they are selling them at greatly enhanced prices! EG £11.49 for 12 x 2nd class stamps = almost 96p per stamp and £12.49 for 12 x 1st class = £1.04 per stamp. So be careful where you buy your stamps! BTW, Is this really legal?

GrannyBettie Sat 16-Jan-21 12:22:09

Kate 1949 - Thank you. Sorry I must have missed that bit in your earlier post. I know I have been given the option to buy postage via Amazon (when you sell things on Amazon) but wasn't sure about proof. I will take a look at Post Office site.

BlueSapphire Fri 15-Jan-21 16:22:58

I did this at Christmas when I had cards to send to Australia and didn't want to go into the Post Office.

Sooze58 Fri 15-Jan-21 00:01:32

You can also book a collection from your house for a small fee!

Kim19 Thu 14-Jan-21 20:28:40

This helpful info had really got me enthused. Can someone set up a thread, please, where we all pool our 'how have I lived this long and didn't know that' simple tips for life in general.

Oopsadaisy1 Thu 14-Jan-21 18:35:50

DD had 2 large envelopes collected this morning by our lovely Postlady at 11.30 cost was 70p per envelope, I left them on the doorstep.

lizzypopbottle Thu 14-Jan-21 18:26:12

I had certainly heard of it and tried again and again to do it early last December. I got as far as 'print your label' each time and when I entered my postcode I was returned to the start. In the end, I phoned Royal Mail and, after being on hold for ages, I spoke to a guy who professed to have no idea what I was talking about but offered to connect me to someone who could help. Click.....boooooooooooop.... I sent my parcel by DPD. Sorted.

BoBo53 Thu 14-Jan-21 16:43:20

Great idea and thanks for the information! The irony is that I have to parcel up some ink cartridges to return for a refund but will have to wait to click and collect my new printer to print a label to return them or else queue at the post office.

minxie Thu 14-Jan-21 15:29:40

Wow l did not know that and as I sell Make up on line that will be so helpful. That’s a huge bonus thanks

Aepgirl Thu 14-Jan-21 15:25:57

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

Sarnia Thu 14-Jan-21 15:20:38

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.

Cronaca Thu 14-Jan-21 15:14:40

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

GrammarGrandma Thu 14-Jan-21 15:13:12

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.

Elegran Thu 14-Jan-21 15:06:58

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

HootyMcOwlface Thu 14-Jan-21 14:16:49

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

rowanflower0 Thu 14-Jan-21 14:11:54

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

rowanflower0 Thu 14-Jan-21 14:09:50

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.

Kate1949 Thu 14-Jan-21 13:13:54

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

kizzykins Thu 14-Jan-21 13:04:02

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.

grandtanteJE65 Thu 14-Jan-21 13:01:52

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.

seacliff Thu 14-Jan-21 12:58:37

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

Happysexagenarian Thu 14-Jan-21 12:49:46

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.

Camelotclub Thu 14-Jan-21 12:19:03

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