With more than 2 billion items sent through the post during the Christmas season,
Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, is offering customers advice to help make sure they get the most from their post this Christmas and avoid the posting pitfalls.
With all the time and effort - not to mention the money! - that goes into choosing the
perfect Christmas gift for friends and family around the country and abroad, it’s hugely disappointing if a package doesn’t get there on time, arrives damaged or, worse still, never arrives at all.
Top Ten Christmas Posting Tips
1. Make sure the address is clearly written and include the postcode. If you don't
know it, call Royal Mail on 08457 111 222.
2. Write clearly in ink - using capital letters is a good idea.
3. Put the postcode on a separate line.
4. Include a ‘return to’ address on the back of the item.
5. Wrap all items properly, especially if they’re breakable.
6. Clearly mark fragile packages and point it out to the staff at the post office.
7. Ask if the postal service you are being offered covers your item for compensation
in the event of loss, damage or breakage and how much for. You can purchase
additional insurance with various Royal Mail and Parcelforce services.
8. Post in plenty of time! Some 390 million first class letters were delivered
late between April 2001 and March 2002. Make sure your cards and
presents are safely on their way before Royal Mail’s last posting dates.
9. If the service you use provides a postal docket or reference number, keep it until
you're sure the item has been delivered.
10. It may seem obvious but don't forget the stamps on all those cards and parcels!
Extract from “found the perfect present? make sure it’s not lost in the post!”
http://www.postwatch.co.uk
