Royal Mail "click & drop" advice...

[*maetrix*]

Anyone use this?..is it any good?..just wondering if I pack the item up,stick on the label etc etc, do I then just drop it off at the Post Office counter or do I have to queue and get it scanned?

Thanks in advance.

[missdollydaydream]

Did you know Royal Mail offer a free collection service?

[*maetrix*]

Yeah but I don't always want to be tied down to waiting in - happy to drop off at our local post office but if this can cut out the queueing (and it works out cheaper) then i'll try it.

[bojangled]

@*maetrix* 

I’m a big fan of Click & Drop. 

If you want proof of postage, then yes have to queue and get things scanned for the receipt.

If it’s letters and large letters then you can just post in a letter box, obviously no proof of postage.
There is the other option that some post offices offer Drop & Go, you just address your post, provide a manifest with postal instructions and drop your bags off and they do the rest.

Marking items as despatched when I want to instead of via eBay is preferable to me.

If I’ve ever had an issue with purchasing wrong postage, it’s easy to cancel and request refund.

Invoices easy to download, reconcile etc.

Customs labels print the correct size too!

Works for me.

Jo

[*maetrix*]

So you still have to queue to get somebody to scan the parcel?...don't you get a proof of postage when purchasing the postage online?

[bojangled]

You get a reference no on C&D purchase but if it hasn’t been scanned into the system then there is no proof of postage. 
Jo

[cbclassicbuyer]

I use it daily on my seller accounts. I have my ebay sales linked to the Click and Drop Web site, all you have to do is enter the weight, the service you require, pay and print the labels out. Very simple process. I usually drop at post office but have used the free collection services ce as well, my postie scans the bar codes on collection. 

[*maetrix*]

So basically i"ll save a bit of money by printing my own labels but still have to take it to the counter to get it scanned/get a proof of postage?

[parsley2003]

It's brilliant i use it all the time and they collect everything from me, i can definately recommend it

[parsley2003]

Yes you can still drop off at Post Office but might have to wait in a queue not sure sure if you can bypass that depends on Post Office i suppose, ours is awful in the back of a shop

[tommystrezures]

To get the barcode activated yes its preferable to do this. Its also a good double check that you have the correct postage, as at the post office counter they will have to weigh the item etc.

[parsley2003]

Yes i think so didn't think of that, mine get scanned when they collect (though not always sometimes i get reminders to post even though they have gone)

[the-nutwood-collection]

Some POs allow you to drop off the bag/sack without waiting in the queue.  They scan the items during a quiet period, and put the receipt in a binder.  When there's no queue, you collect your receipts.  I have a 'Drop & Go' bag that was given to me specifically for this purpose.

Not all POs will allow this.  My first PO didn't want pre-stamped mail in the queue, so I always had to hand it in through the hatch and collect the receipt later.  The POs that I currently use won't accept a bag/sack handed in, so I have to wait in the queue.  It's a real pain.  So much easier to just drop it off.  I don't think POs are onboard with drop and go.

[therma-tec]

I use click & drop, never used ebay's labels!

I've used the same post office for the past 6 years so know the staff & can jump the queue and leave my bag of post at the counter then pick up the postage receipts the next day.

The odd box of 'thank you' biscuits every few months may have helped 😂

[technthread]

I have used the Royal Mail lockers a couple of times but they are time consuming. If you want a digital receipt you have to manually type your email address in.

The last time I went with a max size small parcel I realised the lockers don’t exceed 34.5cm width so it wouldn’t fit anyway. They are a good idea in theory but I won’t be rushing back unless I’m desperate to get a last minute dispatch scan on something.

[wyntersemporium]

My postie collects mine and scans it through the system 

[ridethebevel]

If you get it collected you receive an email as proof of posting after the collection.

Also you don't need to print a label. You can get them to print a label for you and bring it to you for the collection.

[fribblecollectables]

I generally use the Post Office to drop off Click and Drop parcels.

The people there are Billy Whizz fast, so can do 16 parcels in less than three minutes. (Do have to queue though, as I want the Certificate of Posting receipts)

The sign on the counter says they get (I think) about 14p per parcel I give them. It's a small PO in a village shop.

Large packages (like today's 15kg parcel) I get the postman to collect. I do my own labels for those as well.

[vinylscot]

I use click and drop, but still queue so I can be sure the packages will be scanned. My PO is constantly busy, so they can't guarantee they will get them scanned if I just leave them, although they will still be sent.

However, it's really quick. The staff all know me and trust me with weights, etc, so they don't check anything on the scales. 

The RM Click and Drop site is linked to eBay, so, apart from the weight, and your choice of service, there isn't really much for you to input. As soon as you've paid for your postage, your packages are marked as dispatched on eBay (certainly within 30 mins or so).

And of course, it is a fair bit cheaper than doing it all myself.