POSTRS
Postal Redress Service
Managed independently by Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution
Ofcom approved service
Cost: Free to use for consumers
Duration: 6 to 8 weeks
Get in contact
Before making a complaint you should read our Guidance Notes. You can then make and submit your complaint online. If you have any questions, just get in touch.
Who are POSTRS?
POSTRS (Postal Redress Service) is managed independently by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), an alternative dispute resolution provider, approved by Ofcom, to resolve disputes related to subscribing postal operators.
Please read the FAQ page for other questions you may have.
POSTRS is designed to adjudicate domestic and cross-border disputes that have not been resolved through the Postal Services Companies (PSC) own complaints procedure.
This service uses a process called adjudication to help resolve your dispute. Please read our Guide to Adjudication on the left-hand side of the page.
Once you submit your application with all your supporting evidence the process begin. We will send it to the postal operator for their reply and once received we will then appoint an independent adjudicator who will read the documentation and make a final decision.
If the adjudicator requires any additional information this will be requested and shared with the other party. Please note that we accept our application forms in other languages, however, the whole process and final decision is all in English.
The target we have set is six weeks from receipt of the application to publication of the decision to the parties. A further four weeks is allowed for you to decide whether or not you wish to accept the decision. Research shows that most consumers who accept the decision (80% of consumers) do so within 10 days of receipt of the decision.
You can only complain about circumstances that are within the scope of POSTRS. Please read the Guidance Notes to see what is covered by this Scheme.
You can use POSTRS if you are a consumer or business who has an unresolved complaint against a member of POSTRS. Please note that you are a customer if you have sent or received mail.
You should first of all let the company know that you have a problem with them. The company then has to try and settle that problem with you, or to issue you with a deadlock letter which will refer you to us. If you come to us before going to the company then we will be unable to handle your complaint and will refer you to the company. If you have not yet complained to your company you should be able to find details on how to complain to them either on their website, in their Code of Practice, or in your terms and conditions.
You may wish to contact the following organisations:
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB):
If you need assistance with any legal aspects of the service/complaint. Their website is https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ and their advice line is 03444 111 444.
Ofcom
If you wish to contact the regulator for communication services their website is https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
Equality and Human Rights Commission
0808 800 0082
https://equalityhumanrights.com/en
POSTRS Downloads
Companies covered
The steps you must take before submitting a complaint
Step 1.
Raise your complaint with the Postal Services Company (PSC)
Step 2.
The PSC will try and resolve your complaint to your satisfaction. This may take several weeks but you must allow them sufficient time to assess your complaint and respond.
Step 3.
If the customer and PSC are unable to find a mutually acceptable resolution to the complaint the PSC will issue a ‘final response letter’. This letter will tell you that the PSC is unable to take your complaint any further and it should normally say that you may refer the matter to CEDR for adjudication. You can then apply to CEDR for Adjudication.