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The Postmaster General, Mr Luk Ping-chuen, announced today (September 12) that the 2003 Local Standing Order Service (LSOS) for advance order of new stamps and stamp products to be issued in 2003 will be accepted as from September 13, 2002. Service guides and application forms of the 2003 LSOS are available at all post offices from September 13, 2002 onwards, and from 7-Eleven Convenience Stores and The Commercial Press (H.K.) Ltd. stores between September 13, 2002 and October 4, 2002. Customers may return the completed forms to any post office, or by mail. Alternatively, they may apply on-line via the website of Hongkong Post stamps, http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com.
Mr Luk described the LSOS as the most flexible and convenient way to collect Hong Kong stamps. "With LSOS, there is no need for queuing at post offices. Customers can enjoy a choice of different order plans, payment options and delivery modes. Other than a minimum amount of spending of HK$50 per account, there is normally no limit on the quantity of stamp products ordered." said Mr Luk.
At Hongkong Post, we are totally committed to encouraging stamp collecting as an educational and interesting hobby. In our efforts to continue upgrading service levels, we have introduced some enhancements to the 2003 LSOS including:
Auto-order Plan
Apart from a Flexi-order Plan under which customers may order their favourite
stamp issue(s) in any quantity as and when desired, an Auto-order Plan
has been introduced. All stamp collectors need to do is just to place
an order once, and this standing order for selected product types and
quantity will apply to all issues throughout the year, and even for the
following years until a written notice of amendment or cancellation is
received. This convenient Auto-order Plan ensures that customers will
not miss out any new stamp issues and eliminates the need to renew their
LSOS accounts annually.
Reduced minimum amount if paid by instalments
For customers choose to pay by instalment, the minimum amount of their
order is now lowered from HK$1,200 to HK$1,000 for the Flexi-order Plan,
and to HK$500 for the Auto-order Plan.
These new enhancements have been introduced for the benefit and convenience of our customers. We hope they will discover and enjoy the fun of collecting Hong Kong stamps.
Hongkong Post's 2003 new stamp issues capture in brilliant colour the many facets of life in Hong Kong - its beautiful nature, its vibrant culture and arts, and the people's modern lifestyle. Highlights of 2003 stamp issues include:
* "Hong Kong Disneyland": the first series of stamps featuring
Disneyland in Hong Kong
* "Flock Stamps on Lunar New Year Animals - V Dragon/Snake/Horse/Ram":
the first flock stamps in Hong Kong and the world
* "Hong Kong, China - V Sweden Joint Issue on Waterbirds":
this first collection of special stamps are engraved by the world's foremost
and most prolific stamp engraver, Mr Czeslaw Slania
* "Development of Public Housing in Hong Kong": the first "Tete-beche"
and pentagonal stamps in Hong Kong
In line with Hongkong Post's policy of making continuous efforts to satisfy customers' needs and to encourage stamp collecting, the following programmes will be rolled out for the launch of 2003 LSOS during the incentive period between September 13 and October 4, 2002:-
Early Bird's Bonus - Customers ordering 2003 stamp issues with the LSOS before October 4, 2002 will be rewarded with attractive and exclusive incentives that are not for sale. The incentives, available on a multi-layered basis, are offered according to customers' spending levels, i.e. the more the customer spends, and the more gifts they receive. Details of the incentive plan are available in the enclosed fact sheet no. 1 (doc format).
Young Collector's Bonus - To encourage young stamp collectors to develop an interest in this fascinating hobby, applicants aged 18 years or below (i.e. born in or after 1984) with a minimum order amount of HK$100 during the 2003 LSOS incentive period will be rewarded with a specially designed stamp album.
Thank You Perk -In appreciation of our customers' continuous support to the LSOS, those customers registered with LSOS between January 1, 1998 and September 12, 2002 with a minimum order of HK$50 on 2003 stamp products during the 2003 LSOS incentive period will receive a unique "1999 Definitive Stamp Posting Box Display".
Complimentary Souvenir Cover of Bank of China (BOC) - Customers ordering 2003 stamp products before October 4, 2002 and paying by BOC Credit Card or its co-branded card, Nanyang Commercial Bank and Chiyu Banking Corporation Ltd. will receive a "Listing of BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited Datestamped Souvenir Cover (2002.07.25)" to commemorate this major milestone in the bank's development in Hong Kong.
For enquiries, customers can call our Local Standing Order Service Hotline at 2785 5711, or visit our web site http://www.hongkongpoststamps.com.
End/Thursday, September 12, 2002
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