Postpoint angers CSNA and RGDATA members with new stamp rules
Vincent Jennings
Retail groups are opposed to PostPoint's proposition that in order to continue to sell stamps, retailers will also need to sell the full suite of PostPoint services
A dispute is ongoing between two Irish retail groups and An Post subsidiary, Postpoint, over the company’s new rules regarding the retailing of stamps.
The Convenience Stores and Retailers Association (CSNA) and RDGATA are opposed to PostPoint’s new structures, which see commission on stamps reduced by 20%.
Vincent Jennings, chief executive of the CSNA, describes this as “an indication that retailers are considered a soft touch by suppliers attempting to reduce their costs”.
There is a further and more thorny issue afoot as PostPoint has advised retailers that in order to continue to retail stamps they will also need to sell the full suite of PostPoint services including mobile top ups, toll and parking services through the use of the PostPoint terminal. Since the beginning of March, stamps have only been available to shops which have an electronic terminal provided by PostPoint.
Jennings said: “We fail to see any link between a physical postage stamp and an electronic terminal. We cannot see why it is deemed necessary for retailers to give their mobile top-up business to a company merely to continue to acquire postage stamps for resale.
“Retailers who wish to continue to sell stamps must sell top-ups from PostPoint, you must take toll/parking solutions even though in your geographic location, there is no consumer demand for it, and you must accept the new payment regime which requires the clearance of a direct debit prior to the forwarding of the stamps, causing a gap between ordering and receipt of up to seven days.”
RGDATA, the group representing 4,000 family owned grocery stores said many of its retailers already had similar terminals provided by rival operators such as Payzone.
Tara Buckley, RGDATA director general, said An Post’s new policy was causing major inconvenience to shop owners and customers seeking to buy stamps. “It is disgraceful a state-owned company, that is supposed to have a social and community dimension to its operations, should operate in such a high-handed and appalling manner,” she said.
She added RGDATA had lodged formal complaints about the issue with the Competition Authority, ComReg, and Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Read More
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Print
Fans 0
Followers