Hi, I have some slightly complicated questions about how sending items with Tracked 48 bought online at send.royalmail.com works and the person I spoke to on the phone at Royal Mail didn't seem to understand what I was asking. I'd appreciate any advice you can offer!
First, I've seen ( https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/tracked-48 ) that it's possible to have labels printed for me at Customer Service Points (delivery offices) using a QR code generated when I buy the postage online ("we can print [your label] for you for free at a Customer Service Point"). The person I spoke to on the phone seemed to be completely unaware of this service and she only knew about the QR code label printing service for Tracked Returns which can be used at Post Office locations. I've used the service before to get Special Delivery and International Standard labels bought online printed at CSPs so I know it's worked recently.
The question I have is whether it's still possible to use this service for Tracked 48 items because even though the link above says it is possible, when I go to the online postage site, it says it's not possible, even though it is for other types of postage:
I remember it being possible to have Tracked 48 items printed like this so does anybody know if this is only a temporary restriction due to Covid or why it's not possible any more or, if it will be available again soon?
Also, I have a question about compensation when sending items with Tracked 48. I'd like to send a fairly high-value item (worth about £70) with Tracked 48 because of the £100 cover included. However, I'm a bit concerned about how to get proof of posting for it which would be sufficient to make a claim in the event of loss or damage.
It looks like the best way to send an item like this would be at a CSP but the last times I've handed over items to send there, they've told me that they don't print proof of posting receipts like post offices do and that if I wanted that I would need to go to a post office. You won't be surprised to learn that the person I spoke to on the phone at Royal Mail said that CSPs do indeed give proof of posting receipts when handing items over.
Given that Tracked 48 items can't be handed over at Post Offices, what's the best way to get sufficient proof of posting to make a claim if it becomes necessary? I recall that online postage includes a printout of a Certificate of posting with details of the item(s) pre-filled...
Is it possible to take this to the CSP/delivery office and have them stamp it when I hand the item over and that be sufficient proof of posting to make a claim if necessary? I ask this because the claim form on the Royal Mail website says the following: "Evidence of posting includes: the item with envelope of packing including the postage paid, the original certificate of posting or on-line certificate of posting validated at a Post Office®".
Does this mean that this "on-line certificate of posting" wouldn't be valid if not stamped at a Post Office (not even possible for Tracked 48)? Also, does this quote mean that a simple photo of "the item with envelope of packing including the postage paid [printed on the label]" is sufficient proof of posting and a receipt or Certificate of Posting is not even necessary?
Another question I have on this matter is - might it be possible to hand-write a certificate of posting like the one in the image above, with all the required information and have that (stamped) be sufficient to make a claim for loss or damage? I ask because I know I will not always have access to a printer so it would be good to have a proof of posting if I need to have labels printed at a CSP and hand it over at the same time, since they don't print receipts for proof of posting.
Finally, I have a question which isn't essential to me posting this item but might be useful to know the answer to for next time and it's about a new feature where you can apparently get proof of posting in the Royal Mail app: https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app ... %20posting .
According to the help page at the link above, it's possible to get proof of postage digitally, in the Royal Mail app when purchasing postage in the app too. Apparently this also works when posting at a post box or parcel post box. Does anybody know what this looks like or how it works and whether it is indeed acceptable when claiming for loss or damage. Also, does anybody know if this service works when having an item collected using the new Parcel Collect service ( https://www.royalmail.com/collection )?
I'm especially interested in hearing from people who've used this service or know how it works but I'm grateful for any advice anybody can give on this matter too.
Thank you so much to anybody who's made it this far in my long, complicated query - I hope you can answer my questions better than Royal Mail could! Thanks in advance for all your help.