Royal Mail / sending multiple packages

[vib_ribbon]

Anyone well versed in sending multiple packages with Royal Mail?

This is just me planning for something in the future.

Suppose I have 50 of the same packages that I want to send by 1st class, but I want proof of sending with them, what is the best way of going about this without spending too much time at the post office?

Can I from my own home buy and print prepaid labels online that includes the addresses that'd also act as proof of sending? (NB: I don't need a tracking service, just proof of sending only)

Anyone with experience on this?

Ta.

 

[Ash]

I found my local post office were incredibly fast at providing proof of posting with each parcel. 50 sounds like hell, but I’d certainly go into your local and ask. You may find they can do it faster than you would at home, especially as they need to scan and print each proof for you anyway. I may be wrong but I’m not sure you can do better from home. Even buying and printing prepaid still need scanning at drop-off if you want proof.

 

[vib_ribbon]

suppose the items are all 1st class large letters. what's the procedure currently if i just bought a book of stamps and stuck them down on each package before turning up at the post office? there would be nothing to scan. would they have to type in the postcode and door number for each parcel before giving me a print out?

...but that would be no slower than buying the postage at the post office though, no?

i'd probably have to go and ask, but that doesn't fill me with confidence with the people working there.

 

[Flinnster]

I used to send around 60 packages a day, all with tracking.

Go into a local post office (not a main town one. where they will be more jobsworth) and ask for a reel of 'signed-for' orange stickers.

Then ask for a sheet of first class signed-for stamps, or £2 & 50p stamps so you can make up the equivalent value (prices go up next month, so get in quick).

Once you're at home. Print the address labels and apply the sticker + stamp.

Then hand your parcels to the staff at the post office and say 'pre-paid'. Watch them go:

 

[vib_ribbon]

thanks flinnster.

i dont actually need to send by signed for, but i guess the procedure would be similar minus the actually barcode scanning bit. they would still need to type in each postcode and house number manually. i guess there's no quicker way.

thanks for sharing.

 

[cparsonsuk]

I set myself up with this which is really easy:

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/dropandgo

Fill in a simple manifest for what you want each parcel sent as (tracked, 1st, 2nd, whatever) and prepay on your account and walk up and leave it with them. They'll text you a bit later to say it's done and you can go in an collect the receipt and tracking numbers.

There is also a Drop and go counter you just walk up to without queuing... it's saved me tens of hours over the last 2 years posting my Vectrex games out.

 

[vib_ribbon]

They'll text you a bit later to say it's done and you can go in an collect the receipt and tracking numbers.

this service is new to me and it sounds like it could work from my understanding of it. from your experience, how long do they hold onto this receipt for? can you go the next day? or a few day's later?

i've seen people come into the post office with a big sack and just drop it off. i guess they are using this service.

 

[cparsonsuk]

They'll text you a bit later to say it's done and you can go in an collect the receipt and tracking numbers.

this service is new to me and it sounds like it could work from my understanding of it. from your experience, how long do they hold onto this receipt for? can you go the next day? or a few day's later?

i've seen people come into the post office with a big sack and just drop it off. i guess they are using this service.

You can leave it for days or weeks if you like, they just keep it in your section of the folder they maintain.