You read about this “trick” again and again, and it’s not fake: in fact, a ballpoint pen and an app are all you need to frank mail.
You know how it is: a mailbox is almost always nearby when you need one, but stamps? You either don’t have them or they are lying around “somewhere” in the house. But it's not a big deal, because you can actually frank mail with a ballpoint pen and an app.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center points out this possibility:
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We also wrote about this option in October 2020 (see HERE ), but at that time it was only possible via SMS, while there is now an app for it.
What kind of app is needed for this?
Since December 9, 2020, all you need is a ballpoint pen and the “Post & DHL App”, which is available for Android (see HERE ) and iOS (see HERE ) devices.
A functioning dark ballpoint pen (the ballpoint pen ink, not the ballpoint pen cover) or a fine felt-tip pen is of course also required, and then you can get started!
And how does that work then?
As the Deutsche Post DHL Group writes , customers simply have to select the desired postage in the app and pay via PayPal. They will then receive a code consisting of the words #PORTO and a multi-digit character string, which they handwrite on the top right of the postcard instead of a stamp or have to write the envelope.
This means that the shipment is franked and can be dropped into the mailbox. The service is only offered for shipping within Germany. In contrast to the previous product “Mobile Postage”, there are no additional mobile phone and handling costs for the Mobile Stamp, as the transaction takes place via the app and the postage code is no longer transmitted via SMS. Customers now only pay the postage for the letter or postcard.
So:
- Write
the code on two lines as shown app 1st line: #PORTO
Write letters and numbers individually and legibly - a dark ballpoint pen or fine felt-tip pen .
- the code at the top right of the envelope or postcard (for postcards, please write it next to the box if there is one).
Of course, this labeling should also be legible and should not be on the rectangle on postcards:
And if something still doesn't work properly, you can complain to the NRW consumer advice center via Post-Ärger.de .
Item image: Deutsche Post DHL Group
Notes:
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