Machin Forum

[garyhoney]

I have managed to find the November Stocklist from the Royal Mail's website which is great. However this has left me a touch confused, easily done. I have sent the following questions to the email address given, but would also appreciate, if people have the time, answers from those that use the service.

Here Goes

1) The downloaded order form in pdf format implies that you can place an order via the web at www.royalmail.com/shop. This seems to be partialy true. Am I correct in thinking that the online shop only offers a subset of the stamps in the stocklist?

2) If I would like to purchase a cylinder block, is it as simple as putting Cylinder Block 2 x 3 in the format column? If yes is the price just that of the stamps.

3) There is a one off handling charge of £1.45. Is this just for my first order and all subsequent orders are the lower £0.45 rate. If not how does one apply for the lower rate.

Many thanks in advance.

[Gooner]

Answers to your questions Gary - from my many experiences with the PB....

[garyhoney]

Many thanks

A phone call it is.
All I need to do is persuade my wife that I really do need to have 14 recorded signed for stamps plus the withdrawing high values.

[Gooner]

Do what I do - don't tell her!!!!!



A note to all UK purchasers .... don't forget that VAT goes back up to 17½% on Jan 1st 2010 so if you are ordering Albums, Pages or other VAT rated items get your order in before then.

This doesn't apply to stamps as they are zero rated (for now!!!!).
_________________
Regards
Dave
http://www.stamp-collector.co.uk
skype: dave.arthur4

[DaveH]

As a newbie thought you might like this from the PB that I got last week. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
"Dear David

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

I was very sorry to learn from your comments that you were unable to
purchase the item you require and amend your requirements using our Online Webshop.

Due to the vast number of Stamps and related products on offer from
Tallents House, it is not possible to include every product in the range on the webshop. However, we have ensured that the most popular stamps
and related products are available. I also regret that it is not possible
to update your requirements.

I hope you will accept my apologies for the fact that the webshop does not
cater for the item/s you require.
However, you may wish to consider calling the Customer Orderline 08457 641 641 (+44 131 316 7483) between 8.30am to 17.00, Monday to Friday and one of our advisors will be delighted to accept your order.
We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard and Switch/Maestro. You can also fax your order to us on + 44 (0)131 316 7337.
I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Regards

Graham Tillie
Philatelic Customer Services"
So there we have it the "definitive" answer!

[Gooner]

Thanks for that Dave - I for one struggle with their explanation of too much content not allowing them to expand offerings on line.

Let's try and put this in perspective. I understand the work that needs to go into keeping an e-commerce site current and fresh.

As most of you know I try to run an "all-world/all reigns" commerce site (although I do tend to major on GB Machins) that for many days a week never changes as unfortunately I have to work for a living and my "hobby" time is restricted. On top of that I have a large family that needs some of my time as well. If you then add on the time for actually fulfilling orders from the site there is not much left in a week to refresh the site. All this without me actually doing anything towards my own collection. Heck - I even like a couple of weeks holiday a year.

Now as far as I know the Philatelic Bureau has NONE of these challenges.

I don't know how many people they have managing their web-site content but I am willing to bet it is more than ONE. They are employed FULL-TIME to do this job. That is at least 35 hours a week per person. With few exceptions they cater for only GB issues. With even fewer exceptions they only deal with items up to a year old. I am sure they have all the modern technology with all the latest e-commerce solutions (rather than a 90% hand-crafted solution). I doubt that any of the people involved in managing the content is also involved in order fulfilment.

I don't doubt that they are very busy and their customer base is many millions bigger than mine, but all we are talking about here is content management - not fulfilment.

[DaveH]

Hi Dave,
I reckon we should contact Adam Crozier, before he jumps ship to ITV, and make him an offer to save PB £30k+ a year as a going away gift.
I'd be willing to take the odd trip to Edinburgh, as I'm slightly nearer than you, and at least everyone in the Forum would get what they want.
By the way, I didn't know The Alex had a piece of armament on their
shirts!! (extract tongue from cheek).
Dave.

[Gooner]

Don't worry if he outsources it to me I will employ you to do the travelling to Edinburgh bit.

I'll concentrate on the socialising (sorry marketing) with Premier League footballers and Soap Stars.

[DaveH]

Hi Dave,
Your football doesn't appear to have a lion as a logo, as per The Alex website, looks more like a big gun!
Dave.

[Gooner]

That is because I am an Arsenal supporter - not a Crewe fan. Think I am going to pay £20 a game to watch that bunch of amateurs when I can see Arsenal lose for that much a month.

I am a transplanted Londoner for my sins.
_________________
Regards
Dave
http://www.stamp-collector.co.uk
skype: dave.arthur4

[garyhoney]

On a more positive note the high values coin cover as featured in Deegam Report 86 is available on-line (type AN062 in the search.) More surprisingly this does not feature in their current Stocklist pdf which I thought had everything available from the Royal Mail - silly me.

Still £15:95 is a bit steep for four used stamps