Friday, August 06, 2010

Stamping a contract

Someone write to the Straits Times to complain about paying $25 to the Post Office as handling fee to stamp a contract? I was surprised. It seemed to be excessive. I wish to check the facts. Is this correct?

Read here.

If this is correct, here are a few issues:

  • What is the cost to the Post Office to provide this service? If a commuter pays $2 for a train ride, surely the work involved in the Post Office to handle the stamping is much lower? 
  • Is there a choice for commuters to stamp the contract through other channels, instead of the Post Office?
  • Is this abuse of monopolistic power? What is the role of the Competition Commission on such matter?
  • This seems to be adding to the cost of living and the cost of doing business
Tan Kin Lian
at

3 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 06, 2010 8:49 AM

    Few years ago when SingPost turned into public traded company, the cost of fax rose to $3/page from $1/page on top of any call charge.

    I was so angry, no choice I don't have a fax machine at home. So, in total, I spent $9 for 3 pages + $0.70(?) call charge for faxing to US.

    Terrible sinful evil singpost.

    -koffee-

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  2. C H YakAugust 06, 2010 10:09 AM

    Systems exist to serve the people, not to enslave them ... and also not to make money out of them.

    Covering reasonable costs is OK but to make ridiculous charges is a SIN...especially for a body like SingPost.

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  3. The FundamentalistAugust 06, 2010 11:19 AM

    hi,
    it's free if you do it online using IRAS's e-stamping system.

    The $25 service fee covers processing your requisition form, data entry, receipting your payment, printing of the stamp certificate and arranging for collection of stamp certificate.

    Alternatively there's the $5 partial service which includes receipting your payment, printing of the stamp certificate and arranging for collection of stamp certificate.

    ReplyDelete