Local Crossword

[claret&blue]

No stamp required: the situation is vacant (4,4) ???? ?O?T
Having shocking potential (8) E?E???I?
I assumed the first answer was FREE POST and the second would have been ELECTRIC. However the last letter of the first word in the first answer is also the fifth letter of the second answer which means both cannot be correct.
Any suggestions for alternatives would be appreciated.

[atrollope]

open post
electric

[weecalf]

Free post

[atrollope]

free post

[claret&blue]

I've heard of an open letter but is there such an expression as open post in the context of not needing a stamp?

[claret&blue]

It cannot be "open post" or "free post" with "electric".

[cathfromsaron]

defo free post, works cryptically and logically

where does that leave question 8's gaps?

[treetops1]

Last Post ?

[claret&blue]

If it's "free post" it leaves the second clue like this: Having shocking potential (8) E?E?E?I? .

[treetops1]

I dont think it's anything to do with mail. If you focus on that/ situation vacant Last Post. No stamp required because it's nothing to do with mail.

[claret&blue]

Invariably in this particular crossword the answer satisfies both parts of the question.I dont see how "last post" actually fits either unless I'm missing something. However I do appreciate your suggestions.

[factor-fiction]

I don't see the case for LAST POST. Free post seems a perfect solution.
Are you 100% sure of the letters for the 'shocking potential' answer?

[grasscarp]

but you have put the T in the end of the 2nd part of the first clue which would fit. If you were sure of the T being the last letter of the 1st part of the first clue why didnt you put it there

[claret&blue]

Sorry for the delay , been busy. Just to clarify. If the first answer is "free post" then the letter pattern for the second word is definitely E?E?E?I?. However if the second answer is "electric" then the letter pattern for the first word is ???T ?O?T.Sorry if it seems complicated.

[grasscarp]

looks like they have made a mistake as your answers cant really be anything else then

[claret&blue]

They do seem to be the logical answers but I've never known them get the answers wrong. I do actually have one last answer missing on this crossword which ties in with the first answer i.e maybe "free post". This is it: One might expect it to be counter productive (4) S???. If The other answer is "free post" then the 3rd letter would be the "R" from that answer.

[grasscarp]

I havent an ideas for that one claret. Might be an idea to post it as a new question in case nobody looks back at this thread.

[boxtops]

1 Free post

[claret&blue]

Ok thanks for all the help.Probably try that tomorrow.Hope they haven't made a mistake as you suggest lol.

[factor-fiction]

Sure would fit and ties in with the 'expect' part of the clue but I can't fit it to the rest of the clue