New eSAM machines were put into service at MRT stations from 18 Aug 2016. The ids were:
S 700 - Bedok MRT - 24 Aug 2016
This cover shows a strip dispensed from the eSAM S700 comprising of half cut label, the thermal printing were all over the place. This is a registered cover paying $2.61 rate ( $2.24 for registration fees and 0.37 for 2nd local postage rate. I just assumed there were 6 x5c label although there were 7 stamps, the rest of the postage were covered by $0.01, $1.30 and $1.00 MLP label.
S 701 - Simei MRT - 24 Aug 2016
S 702 - Eunos MRT - 23 Aug 2016
S 703 - Aljunied MRT
- reported by a collector to be in service before 18 Aug 2016 but I found it on 24 Aug 2016 based on the SAM listing by Singpost.
S 704 - Tampines MRT 1 (24 Aug 2016)
However, S704 was down on the first day (18 Aug 2016). A collector reported it was jammed and finally the technician put up a notice to say it was out of order until further notice.
It was in operation from 24 Aug 2016 onwards. Behaving well and no error labels collected on the first day.
S 705 - Tampines MRT 2
This machine was scheduled to operate from 18 Aug 2016. When I reached there at about 10.30pm it was working perfectly well.
This was label and the receipt dispensed:
The original eSAM machine was first commissioned in Singapore World Stamp Exhibition (WSE 2015). The SG50 labels were used for the first time. Only id S002 was opened to public and each person was only allowed to purchase 40 labels at one go. S001 was also sold over the counter for $3.00 for a packet of 10 x 1st local label. Subsequently, S001 was found to be in use at Singapore Post Center (SPC) north lobby from 1 Dec 2015. I learnt from a postal network staff that the S001 machine was installed in the their office on the 5th floor. This information was not made known to the public until the machine showed up at the lobby. However, the label dispensed was using the Garden in the city design.
I learned that the labels with id S001 sold to the public at the WSE, were actually testing labels from the machine.
This is the original eSAM machine at Singapore Post Center Lobby.
It was opened to the public probably on 1 Dec 2015. The machine is smart and can self diagnose itself. When the number of labels requested is more than the amount remaining, the transaction will not proceed. Thus, there will be no more SAM refund receipt being issued. As the old SAM machine, you can purchase up to 200 labels per transaction. Transaction can be paid by NETS or VISA/ MASTERCARD credit or debit cards.
However, the tray for the label is not deep enough and the dispensed labels can be sent flying.
Although Singpost postal network asked for feedback, my queries remained unanswered since Jan 2016. This feedback about the tray could have improved in the new roll out...hence walking the talk is important in a customer centric organization.
