Whats going on in Swindon MC (surcharge Dept.,)

[human1]

Why are they surchargeing " article for the blind " ? They are geting tough on PPI and Business Reply contracts even customers have paid for the licence.

[Lounge Lizard]

Surchargeing " article for the blind " is probably an oversight unless they weren't properly labelled as such.
I'm not sure what your query is on PPI and Business Reply contracts .

[PhilthyPhil]

Perhaps the items are not being sent in line with the rules for articles for the blind?

"We will levy surcharges if:
Someone unauthorised to use the Articles for the Blind service uses the scheme.
An item which is not covered by the service is sent via the Articles for the Blind service."

[adb2aber]

Perhaps the items are not being sent in line with the rules for articles for the blind?

Rules for Articles for the Blind are available on the Royal Mail website - http://www.royalmail.com/you-home/your- ... blind/faqs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Who can use the service?

To use the service, either the sender or the recipient must be blind or visually impaired*.

Organisations representing blind people or providing a service specifically designed for blind/visually impaired individuals, e.g. RNIB or Talking Newspapers, can also use the service, where they are sending items that have been specially prepared or adapted for use by the blind (with the exception of sensitive & confidential items).

Personal, sensitive or confidential correspondence, in any format, should not be sent using the Articles for the Blind service as there is a risk that it could fall out of an unsealed envelope and be disclosed at any point on its journey. This type of correspondence should be sealed and sent as normal, paid-for mail.

Items sent via Articles for the Blind must be to a named recipient, for example the name of a company or individual.

Items sent via Articles for the Blind must be specifically addressed to the blind/visually impaired person at that address. Items that are addressed to ‘The Occupier’, ‘Dear Customer’ and not a named recipient, should be sent as normal, paid-for mail.

*These persons must be registered as blind under the provisions of the National Assistance Act 1948; and persons whose standard of close-up vision, with spectacles, certified by an ophthalmologist, doctor or ophthalmic optician, is N12 or less.
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What can be sent?

The contents of your mail must only include items specifically prepared for or by a blind/visually impaired person, for example:
Books, papers and letters – either embossed or in large print (minimum font size 16pt).
Computer disks and CDs which have been prepared for blind/visually impaired people.
Relief maps.
Spoken audio, video (with added commentary) and electronic media.

Equipment specifically for use by a blind person that requires sealing may also be sent, if prior notification is given, for example:
Talking books and talking newspapers which are recordings of readings from printed books, journals, newspapers, periodicals or similar publications, but no entertainment programmes which are available on radio or recordings.
Equipment used to play or record audio, video and electronic media i.e. talking books and talking newspapers.
Electronic and optical magnifiers.
Games, mathematical devices, watches, clocks, timers and measuring equipment.
Embossed or blank plates and devices for producing tactile information.
Stationery for tactile information or for mail.
Mobility aids including sticks and guide dog equipment.
Computer disks and CDs which have been prepared for blind/visually impaired people.


Large print items
Note that large print items, including newsletters (excluding advertising literature), in a font size of at least 16 point, are now accepted for posting as Articles for the Blind (provided all other requirements for this service are met). Smaller and standard print items are not accepted.
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What cannot be sent?
Personal, sensitive or confidential correspondence, in any format, should not be sent using the Articles for the Blind service, as there is a risk that it could fall out of an unsealed envelope and be disclosed at any point on its journey. This type of correspondence should be sealed and sent as normal, paid-for mail.
Personal communications, except for letters impressed or prepared for blind people.
Printed material in a font smaller than 16 point, unless:

i. It is a faithful copy of information that has been transcribed into Braille, tape, CD disc, or large print, and where it accompanies the transcribed version, or
ii. The material relates specifically to, and accompanies, an Article for the Blind item, such as an instruction booklet, guarantee, technical documentation or other similar information.
Music or entertainment (more than 2 minutes or more than 10 per cent of the total duration). We can allow interludes, introductory and closing jingles of up to two bars as well as recordings with musical or entertainment features (such as a local orchestra) of no more than 10% of the total recording time.
Any flyer or documentation being used as advertising literature.

What surcharges apply?

We will levy surcharges if:
Someone unauthorised to use the Articles for the Blind service uses the scheme.
An item which is not covered by the service is sent via the Articles for the Blind service.

Some countries only allow Articles for the Blind to be sent from, or addressed to, officially recognised institutions for the blind. Therefore anything addressed to an individual may not be delivered or may be surcharged.

Regarding PPI and BRs, you mean they're doing their job and catching the people who are using another service they're not abiding by the rules for or paying for? Well I for one see no problem at all there...

[human1]

In our office , any surcharged " blind mail " items, get their yallow sticker peeled off and get delivered as normal. Yes, no charging for Blind items in our office.