Are there any these days? Obviously I know there are postboxes at
airports (though I don't think they're always that easy to find), but
I haven't paid a great deal of attention to airside postboxes - and I
can imagine there may be whatever security concerns nowadays too.

I'm thinking specifically about Stansted at the moment, but would be
interested to know about the other London airports too, indeed about
airports further afield as well.

In message
,
Mizter T writes

Are there any these days? Obviously I know there are postboxes at
airports (though I don't think they're always that easy to find), but
I haven't paid a great deal of attention to airside postboxes - and I
can imagine there may be whatever security concerns nowadays too.

I'm thinking specifically about Stansted at the moment, but would be
interested to know about the other London airports too, indeed about
airports further afield as well.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/porta...ed4f4599110Vgn
VCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

(Note that the facility is available after security - but obviously no
parcels)
--
Paul Terry

On 2010\08\14 19:12, Mizter T wrote:
Are there any these days? Obviously I know there are postboxes at
airports (though I don't think they're always that easy to find), but
I haven't paid a great deal of attention to airside postboxes - and I
can imagine there may be whatever security concerns nowadays too.

I'm thinking specifically about Stansted at the moment, but would be
interested to know about the other London airports too, indeed about
airports further afield as well.

I don't understand. Are you suggesting that someone flying from Malta to
Australia via Heathrow might want to save a few pence on postage by
sending a postcard to their friend in Wigan while in the airport? Seems
a bit rare.

On Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:07:29 +0100, Basil Jet
wrote:
On 2010\08\14 19:12, Mizter T wrote:
Are there any these days? Obviously I know there are postboxes at
airports (though I don't think they're always that easy to find), but
I haven't paid a great deal of attention to airside postboxes - and I
can imagine there may be whatever security concerns nowadays too.

I'm thinking specifically about Stansted at the moment, but would be
interested to know about the other London airports too, indeed about
airports further afield as well.

I don't understand. Are you suggesting that someone flying from Malta to
Australia via Heathrow might want to save a few pence on postage by
sending a postcard to their friend in Wigan while in the airport? Seems
a bit rare.


What about the Brit going abroad who wants to use his/her spare time
in the departure lounge to post a cheque to pay a bill, or post a
card to a loved one telling her/him he is going away for a few days
.... etc., etc.?

I suppose most people do these kinds of things online nowadays, but
not everyone does.

On 14/08/10 20:54, Bruce wrote:

What about the Brit going abroad who wants to use his/her spare time
in the departure lounge to post a cheque to pay a bill, or post a
card to a loved one telling her/him he is going away for a few days
... etc., etc.?

Or the foreign visitor, who bought postcards intending to send them to
friends and family but never got round to it, usind the time waiting for
their flight home to write and post the cards...

-roy

On Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:16:47 +0100, Roy Badami
wrote:
On 14/08/10 20:54, Bruce wrote:
What about the Brit going abroad who wants to use his/her spare time
in the departure lounge to post a cheque to pay a bill, or post a
card to a loved one telling her/him he is going away for a few days
... etc., etc.?

Or the foreign visitor, who bought postcards intending to send them to
friends and family but never got round to it, usind the time waiting for
their flight home to write and post the cards...


Perhaps 'Basil Jet' has gone paperless and doesn't use the Royal Mail
any longer.

On 14/08/2010 23:16, Roy Badami wrote:
On 14/08/10 20:54, Bruce wrote:

What about the Brit going abroad who wants to use his/her spare time
in the departure lounge to post a cheque to pay a bill, or post a
card to a loved one telling her/him he is going away for a few days
... etc., etc.?

Or the foreign visitor, who bought postcards intending to send them to
friends and family but never got round to it, usind the time waiting for
their flight home to write and post the cards...

-roy

I have seen postboxes airside at Heathrow, but I don't reacll seeing
stamp machines to accompany them

Do they even sell stamps airside?

Whilst I was a non-resident I was entitled to reclaim VAT on purchases
made in the United Kingdom on goods I took out of the UK. The process
was that you had to take the goods and a form you got from the shop
where you bought the goods to a counter in the departures lounge run
by what is now HMRC - show them the goods and receipt documentation,
get the form stamped. Put it in the prepaid envelope provided by the
store and post in the post office box just outside so that the store
would reimburse your credit card etc. The system was fraught with
difficulties as if you had checked the goods in as part of your hold
baggage they would not stamp the form - if you paid cash for the goods
the store would send you a cheque - not easily cashed abroad. IIRC
they did not sell stamps at the airport shops in Terminals 4 and 3 at
Heathrow. Does it still work that way?

In message
,
Mwmbwls writes

Whilst I was a non-resident I was entitled to reclaim VAT on purchases
made in the United Kingdom on goods I took out of the UK. The process
was that you had to take the goods and a form you got from the shop
where you bought the goods to a counter in the departures lounge run
by what is now HMRC - show them the goods and receipt documentation,
get the form stamped. Put it in the prepaid envelope provided by the
store and post in the post office box just outside so that the store
would reimburse your credit card etc. The system was fraught with
difficulties as if you had checked the goods in as part of your hold
baggage they would not stamp the form - if you paid cash for the goods
the store would send you a cheque - not easily cashed abroad. IIRC
they did not sell stamps at the airport shops in Terminals 4 and 3 at
Heathrow. Does it still work that way?

These days there are cash refund desks (usually run by Travelex) for VAT
at major airports, although I think the option to post the endorsed form
back to the retailer still exists for those who want a VAT refund by
cheque or card credit.
--
Paul Terry

On 15/08/10 12:06, Paul Terry wrote:
In message
,
Mwmbwls writes

Whilst I was a non-resident I was entitled to reclaim VAT on purchases
made in the United Kingdom on goods I took out of the UK. The process
was that you had to take the goods and a form you got from the shop
where you bought the goods to a counter in the departures lounge run
by what is now HMRC - show them the goods and receipt documentation,
get the form stamped. Put it in the prepaid envelope provided by the
store and post in the post office box just outside so that the store
would reimburse your credit card etc. The system was fraught with
difficulties as if you had checked the goods in as part of your hold
baggage they would not stamp the form - if you paid cash for the goods
the store would send you a cheque - not easily cashed abroad. IIRC
they did not sell stamps at the airport shops in Terminals 4 and 3 at
Heathrow. Does it still work that way?

These days there are cash refund desks (usually run by Travelex) for VAT
at major airports, although I think the option to post the endorsed form
back to the retailer still exists for those who want a VAT refund by
cheque or card credit.

Or you can actually buy most small electrical items at a duty free shop.

People like PC World/Dixons have shops at Heathrow...


--
William Black

Free men have open minds
If you want loyalty, buy a dog...