AIBU to expect the post office to offer a franking service?

[longwayoff]

Nearly every office has a franking machine, to put your post through. Done. Its stamped. Why don't they offer this service in post office? I want to arrive there with assorted unstamped post, put each item thru machine which weighs it, then calculates cost and stamps it. Seems an obvious thing to do so there must be a good reason why they don't offer it. Any explanation s?

Ask the post office?

A lot of large post offices in cities have machines to weigh your parcel or letter and then print the label/stamp for you to stick on. Saves standing in a queue. It's basically the same without the automatic franking.
But why would you want to take a job away from a real person and have a machine do it all instead?

I believe that post via an office franking machine is not the same price as post via stamps. I might be completely wrong.

You have to have a licence for a franking machine I think. It’s to do with done ancient law about printing stamps being the same as printing money and needing a licence for it. Can’t have any Tom dick or harry waltzing in and franking.

I rarely buy stamps at the PO. I do the printing at home thing.

Ah bitout, that sounds likely, some ancient and sacred non-reason. I have occasionally asked at PO but blank stare uhh has been response to date. Its not taking a job away from anyone, its asking for a service that doesnt exist.

There's self serve machines in the big post office in town. Not quite franking but it gets weighed and prints a sticker for you

I want to arrive there with assorted unstamped post, put each item thru machine which weighs it, then calculates cost and stamps it.

Office franking machines don't actually work like this. They still have to sort the post via size, first or second class and if it's airmail or not. They also have different prices depending on if the postcode can be seen or not and business post costs differently to non business.

Office franking looks loads easier than it is! Even with all the pre sorting you get moaning letters about underpayments.

If you have so much post that you need a franking machine just, er, get a franking machine?

Insider tip (ex PO): if you are a regular, try to foster a good relationship with your PO and they might just offer to do it for you. Probably only works in small village/sub post offices and you didn't hear it from me.

Franking machines are a massive complicated pain in the arse.