Do you have to send a "lettre recommandée"?!

[Crevette]

I have noticed that increasingly you need to send a "lettre recommandée" if you want to close accounts (internet provider, car insurance, bank account, etc.).

If you have a lot of time before the "due date", can you just send a standard letter? (and then ring up a few days later to confirm if they have received it).

It's very easy for me to post standard letter, but I need to have a trip to the post office and back, spending about half an hour in in a queue and spending 4 euro's. Not fun!

Apart from that I see there is a new service from the post (just found out now!) called La "lettre recommandée électronique de la Poste" for 6 euro's.

http://www.laposte.fr/LRE/

Has anyone used this?

I am not sure if you need to have a signiture and date on official documents so not sure if this works!

Regards,

-Rob-

[SaligoBay]

If they ask for a lettre recommandée, that's what you should send.  It is a pain, but it's in your own interest.

[Cerise]

I agree with SB having just sorted out a telephone agreement for someone else who sent an ordinary letter.  Company said they had received his letter but as it was not "recommandée" did not action it.  Petty, but true.

[Crevette]

I have tried the "lettre recommandée électronique de la Poste"!

It's fairly easy to set-up, but I really hope it works! (some French firms can be fairly petty!)

You basiclaly upload a word document and the post print it out and send it.

The downside is that maybe it won't work if they say that your signature is required for certain letters (I have made my signiture with the "paint" program and put it at the bottom of the letter but I am not sure if they will accept this!).

Regards,

-Rob-

[Clair]

I have sent several "lettres recommandées électroniques", as I cannot always make the trip to the village in time for the mail collection.

I cancelled my internet account that way.

You just need create your main letter and save it on your PC or scan any external document you want to include.

I created a .gif file for my signature.

Upload the document within LaPoste after an online registration to the service. You then receive an email confirmation of upload.

They recreate the document and deliver it as usual, then email you when it's been delivered.

The reason for a lettre recommandée with proof of receipt is to be able to prove that the letter has been sent (you word is not enough) and/or received, in case there is a disagreement later on; say for instance that you need to cancel your old insurance as you have found a cheaper one lesewhere, should your letter arrive 1 day after the renewal date, you could be liable to pay another 12 months... with prof of postng and of delivery, you can show they received it in time...