Royal Mail shares little-known postbox trick people say they 'never knew it was a thing'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... n-10022912

The Royal Mail shared the simple trick - and it's blowing people's minds



The Royal Mail has revealed a handy trick that will not only save you time, but money too. Taking to their TikTok under the username @royalmail, they said that you can get proof of postage and you do not need to venture far from your home to do it.

The postman explained that you can use your nearest postbox - and all you need to take with you is your parcel and phone. He explained: “You can use a postbox to send a small parcel and get proof of postage.

"Just buy a postage online, stick it to your parcel and when you’re by the box, you’ll need to make sure you have location services enabled" using the official Royal Mail app.

So what do you have to do? Just follow these steps below and it's as simple as that. This method of sending means you do not need to wait for collection or to find a time where your nearest office is open.

And you will save money too by not needing to travel anywhere with many postboxes near homes. One user even replied in the comments that they "genuinely never knew this was a thing."

• Buy your postage online
  Download the Royal Mail app. If you have an iPhone, you can get the Royal Mail app on the App Store here and android users can download the Royal Mail app on Google Play here.
  Turn on location services in your settings for when you use the Royal Mail app
  Open the Royal Mail app
  Go to the services tab in the bottom right
  Click on proof of posting
  Click post a item now
  Scan the barcode of the parcel - the app automatically identifies the location and details of the postbox you’re posting the item from
  Tick to confirm you have placed your item in the post box and press submit

You will get a confirmation saying proof of posting pending - this will then update to a validated proof of posting when your parcel has first been scanned in our network.

On their website, Royal Mail say you you can get the following services when you get proof of posting on the app:

Tracked 24 and 48
1st and 2nd Class
Royal Mail Signed For
Tracked returns
International Standard and Economy

Please note: "Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed items must be dropped off in a Post Office branch or Royal Mail Customer Service Point."

[twoloops]

I had one of these weeks ago the collection to scan on my PDA was in the postbox, I just had to find it.

[funkflex55]

It's proof of posting but it's not really. A customer could scan at the box, keep the parcel then claim once RM have 'lost' it. I don't think we should open up more avenues to lose money when the company is already terribly losing a million a day and needs to cut costs.

[ted_e_bear]

It's proof of posting but it's not really. A customer could scan at the box, keep the parcel then claim once RM have 'lost' it. I don't think we should open up more avenues to lose money when the company is already terribly losing a million a day and needs to cut costs.

Possibly not, it says it's only confirmed as proof of posting when it's been scanned in the royal mail network, presumably when it travels through a mail centre or parcel hub.

[qwerty2]

It doesn’t mention that you need a PRINTER

[Jefferson Starfish]

It doesn’t mention that you need a PRINTER

Does it need to?
It's blindingly obvious!

[Mr Rush]

One user even replied in the comments that they "genuinely never knew this was a thing."

It wasn't until bloody last week. The whole article is pure astroturf.

[TopperGas]

It's proof of posting but it's not really. A customer could scan at the box, keep the parcel then claim once RM have 'lost' it. I don't think we should open up more avenues to lose money when the company is already terribly losing a million a day and needs to cut costs.

Possibly not, it says it's only confirmed as proof of posting when it's been scanned in the royal mail network, presumably when it travels through a mail centre or parcel hub.

It seems pointless even taking a photo, as if it's stolen before it's scanned then RM will no doubt say it's not their responsibility, if it's scanned once it's in the system then you don't need your own proof of sending?

[ted_e_bear]

It's proof of posting but it's not really. A customer could scan at the box, keep the parcel then claim once RM have 'lost' it. I don't think we should open up more avenues to lose money when the company is already terribly losing a million a day and needs to cut costs.

Possibly not, it says it's only confirmed as proof of posting when it's been scanned in the royal mail network, presumably when it travels through a mail centre or parcel hub.

It seems pointless even taking a photo, as if it's stolen before it's scanned then RM will no doubt say it's not their responsibility, if it's scanned once it's in the system then you don't need your own proof of sending?

That's what I thought.

[SpacePhoenix]

It's proof of posting but it's not really. A customer could scan at the box, keep the parcel then claim once RM have 'lost' it. I don't think we should open up more avenues to lose money when the company is already terribly losing a million a day and needs to cut costs.

Possibly not, it says it's only confirmed as proof of posting when it's been scanned in the royal mail network, presumably when it travels through a mail centre or parcel hub.

Unless it's a big customer posting direct to a hub, the first scan will be either when it's sorted by a packet sorting machine or if a MC doesn't have one, on the primary sort conveyor