Frequently asked questions
Here we answer some of the most commonly asked question when it comes to franking your outgoing post.
Q: What can I do if I’ve franked my mail with the wrong date?
A: In the event of accidentally setting your franking machine with the wrong date, just put a line through the incorrect date using black ink. After this, set the date correctly on your franking machine and set the postage tariff to £0.00. Finally, re-frank your envelope with the correct date on the reverse.
An alternative to this method is to frank a label or sticked with the correct date and £0.00 postage, then put the label on your original envelope so that it covers up the incorrect date but doesn’t obscure the postage tariff you’ve already paid.
Q: What can I do if I’ve underpaid?
A: In the event that you apply an insufficient postage charge, simply add on another franked impression with the postage amount needed to make up the difference. You should put this addition on the lower left-hand corner, ensuring you frank the shorter edge of the envelope. Alternatively, frank a label with the difference in cost and affix it to the left side of your original impression.
Q: What about times when I’ve overpaid?
A: If you’ve applied too much postage to your mail, don’t post it. Instead, take out the contents and apply the correct postage tariff to a new envelope. Keep your unused prints until you have at least £10.00 in value, and then send them to ©Royal Mail for a full refund. Please ensure that any impressions you wish to receive a refund on are clearly legible and have been issued no later than six months previously. ©Royal Mail will issue a refund by cheque with a 15% administration fee charge deducted.
Q: What can I do if I miss the last post?
A: If you’re too late for the final postal collection and have already franked your mail, simply re-frank your envelope with the next day’s date and post it then. Another solution is to use a special ‘late posting envelope’ which your machine supplier can provide you with. You can post these in any ©Royal Mail post box but you’re limited to one late posting envelope per day with a maximum of 30 letters. Remember that if you post after the final collection time, your mail won’t be processed until the following day. Most minor franking mistakes can be easily remedied so you can get your business post out without delay or inconvenience.
