Beware cards with a badge

andyrules

Just a warning (not a rant!!) to all those who might be sending a birthday card which sports a jolly badge - put extra postage on it as the badge puts it in the next price bracket.

Someone sent one to DS, the additional cost was 6p - added to that was £1 fee plus a journey across the other side of town to collect it. Of course by this time the birthday has passed. Postie won't bring it, they are left at the sorting PO so it's massive inconvenience to your recipient.

soolin

It's been over 2 years since the pricing in proportion came in, I'm surprised that you had only just realised.

As you correctly say post is not only charged by weight now the width and size of the envelope also matters. A standard letter, two or three pieces of paper, or a standard card is still the price of a standard 1st or 2nd class stamp. Anything thicker that won't go through the standard letter slot at the PO is charged as a large letter (and you can buy books of large letter stamps 1st and 2nd class).

I always have problems with the difference between large letter and packet, I have been selling an item on ebay that weighs less than 100grammes but is wider than the large letter slot at the PO, if it could go as a large letter it would cost me 52p 1st class, instead I have to pay £1.14 as a packet, drives me crazy!

andyrules

soolin wrote: »

It's been over 2 years since the pricing in proportion came in, I'm surprised that you had only just realised.

As you correctly say post is not only charged by weight now the width and size of the envelope also matters. A standard letter, two or three pieces of paper, or a standard card is still the price of a standard 1st or 2nd class stamp. Anything thicker that won't go through the standard letter slot at the PO is charged as a large letter (and you can buy books of large letter stamps 1st and 2nd class).

I always have problems with the difference between large letter and packet, I have been selling an item on ebay that weighs less than 100grammes but is wider than the large letter slot at the PO, if it could go as a large letter it would cost me 52p 1st class, instead I have to pay £1.14 as a packet, drives me crazy!

Er, my post says that we are the recipients so therefore didn't put the stamp on this end!

Clearly, not everyone is aware of this as I'm sure my friend wouldn't deliberately have caused this inconvenience!
I thought it was worthwhile posting up to warn anyone about to purchase and send a card. I posted on someone else's thread about a card that was well within all limits, yet was still held back in error by an over zealous postie - so it seems even the PO aren't too sure! Personally, I try to buy small thin cards now, very mse!

Pollycat

Andy
I am aware of the rules regarding sizing, but I probably wouldn't have thought about having a card with a badge weighed in case it was overweight.

A good warning - thanks.

pinkshoes

Last year after Post Office changed its rules, lots of card shops were selling off cards with badgets, as they now cost a lot more to post!

Even charities re-designed their tacky pens that they put in envelopes to make them flat so that they're less than 5mm wide!!

But if you've never received a card with a badge, or a charity begging letter with pen, it's unlikely you'd actually know about this odd rule!

soolin

Pollycat wrote: »

Andy
I am aware of the rules regarding sizing, but I probably wouldn't have thought about having a card with a badge weighed in case it was overweight.

A good warning - thanks.

It's not weight that matters it is size, the items I mentioned that I sell on ebay only cost more to post as they are too wide for the post office definition of a letter.

andyrules

soolin wrote: »

It's not weight that matters it is size, the items I mentioned that I sell on ebay only cost more to post as they are too wide for the post office definition of a letter.

Yes it is size, if it won't fit through the slot on the measure (and it is quite thin, basically only thinnish card or letter thickness) then an ordinary stamp won't do. I have a guide at work and they are at POs, but many people don't have access to one when they need it.

I'm not sure whether you can get these posters now, I've a feeling you can't. I saw a ruler on ebay, but don't know if they are generally available.

chuckley

your own fault, u shouldve checked the weight... it aint rocket science.

i had sum promo mail from a club i was gonna join where they had underpaid with a standard stamp, i went to PO and they told me the name of the company and i told them to send it back. if they cant be bothered to pay the postage why should i to pick it up??

andyrules

chuckley wrote: »

your own fault, u shouldve checked the weight... it aint rocket science.

i had sum promo mail from a club i was gonna join where they had underpaid with a standard stamp, i went to PO and they told me the name of the company and i told them to send it back. if they cant be bothered to pay the postage why should i to pick it up??

Which post are you replying to?

Pollycat

Andy
Ah, I get it now.
It's not the weight, it's the badge taking the thickness of the envelope over the limit.

However, I still say:

A good warning - thanks

custardy

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?catId=22700467&mediaId=22700472