Signed For

[LucasLCC]

Hi,

I've been sending a fair amount of mail recently, both domestically and internationally, and have need to use the signed for service.

First off, is it possible to get the labels in advance of sending the post. And if so, will I have to pay in advance, or pay when I take it to the post office to have the barcode scanned? If it's the later, then is it completely fine to put £1.10 worth of additional post on the envelope / parcel as well? As that would save me many reciepts and card transactions, especially as I make several trips into the post office each day.

Another question, can I use monetary stamps to make up the value (I'd such as the 20p stamps) instead of a normal first / second class stamp. And if so, should I write the class I wish do it to be sent as on the envelope (left hand side like airmail stickers?)

Regards,
Lucas,

[barrowc]

The Signed For stickers don't cost anything so there should be no need to pay for them in advance. As long as the total value of stamps on the item adds up to the correct postage, it doesn't matter which value of stamp you use to make it up. Writing the intended class on the item isn't essential but certainly won't do any harm.

It's probably worth speaking to the staff in the Post Office you use to find out what the best way of working is. Some types of mail (e.g. Online Postage, PPI account mail) don't generate any income for the PO which accepts them. Presumably selling stamps to you is beneficial for that PO as would be using the Horizon system to charge your items. You also need to sort out the easiest way to get your proof of posting for the items you are sending

[TeeferTiger]

You can put 1p stamps all over the envelope if you like, as long as it's sufficient for the size/weight/thickness of the item being sent. You can write "1st" on there if you wish, but it'll usually go by the amount you've paid so if you've put enough for 1st on, that's how it goes. If you've put more than 2nd but less than 1st, it'll go as 2nd etc.

You can get the stickers in advance, they don't cost 'owt as long as you put the correct postage on for that service. Yes, you would save yourself time, but taking the items to the PO to get scanned as being in the system is a better way IMO as you've got proof then that the item was accepted and handed to the PO should anything happen to it.

[LucasLCC]

Thank you both for your replys to my question.

I've just been to the post office and asked for a few of the Signed For labels, and the lady there gave me an entire roll (enough to last a considerable while...). She said that paying for postage in advance in the form of stamps is also completely fine, and they'll then scan it into the system when I bring it in. This makes it far easier for me, as saves me from having to pay every time which makes for complicated expenses. It's not really to save time, just make it easier.


Now for the next (probably stupid question), where does each part of the label go? As I see it is several parts with many removable barcodes.

Regards,
Lucas,

[TrueBlueTerrier]

leave them all on and put the whole label on the front of the item - we use them.

You could take one of the smaller one off to keep for your own records but certainly leave the bulk of the removable ones on the label.

[TeeferTiger]

There used to be 2 small stickers with the number and no barcode, 1 or 2 removable barcode stickers and another barcode sticker that remains stuck on. Preferably, take one of the ones without a barcode as it makes life a bit easier for the postie and the office when scanning items or the delivery card... but in theory you could remove all of them apart from the one that remains stuck on but that makes it a pain in the a**e for the delivery peeps

[LucasLCC]

There used to be 2 small stickers with the number and no barcode,

That's the same as the roll I was given. Does that mean that there is now newer labels that are different? Although the labels I was given do say Apr 2013 on the bottom.

Cheers all for your help. You've been a lot more helpful that Royal Mails site (which looks good, and prices are easy to find, but just seems to be lacking in certain information).

[TrueBlueTerrier]

There used to be 2 small stickers with the number and no barcode,

That's the same as the roll I was given. Does that mean that there is now newer labels that are different? Although the labels I was given do say Apr 2013 on the bottom.

Cheers all for your help. You've been a lot more helpful that Royal Mails site (which looks good, and prices are easy to find, but just seems to be lacking in certain information).

no yours are the most recent ones - definitely

[LucasLCC]

no yours are the most recent ones - definitely

Ok :) Thank you for your help.

[harry84]

Others have pretty much covered it but another tip is to complete and take with you one of these for the post office to stamp http://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/ ... nature.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That way you have everything in one place, it saves you and the PO time (which eases my conscience slightly if I'm not actually buying the postage from them, the alternative being for them to have to make out Certificates of Postage themselves).

[LucasLCC]

Hi Again,

I've sent a few items out the past week to various addresses using the Signed For service.

Just wondering if it is possible to see the signature, because in the case of one item going to Middlesex, the track and trace system just shows:

Date Time Status Track point
11/05/13 05:24 DELIVERED10/05/13 BRENTFORD PDO
08/05/13 13:11 ACCEPTED AT POL Martins News BH24 1HB

Am I correct in assuming that after a while the signature will be available for me to view online?

Regards,
Lucas,

[P13]

Hi Again,

I've sent a few items out the past week to various addresses using the Signed For service.

Just wondering if it is possible to see the signature, because in the case of one item going to Middlesex, the track and trace system just shows:

Date Time Status Track point
11/05/13 05:24 DELIVERED10/05/13 BRENTFORD PDO
08/05/13 13:11 ACCEPTED AT POL Martins News BH24 1HB

Am I correct in assuming that after a while the signature will be available for me to view online?

Regards,
Lucas,

Yes, the signature will take a few days to show up on track and trace depending on whether the postman is using a PDA or if they are still using pen and paper