Great Tips to Cut Postage Costs Hunt

harryhound

A year or so ago our postal service was going down hill fast (eg a magazine subscription arriving a week late), however in spite of the recent strike, reliability seems to be returning.

My nearest PO is about 2 miles away, with difficult parking, BUT we do have one of those mini-boxes screwed to a telegraph pole nearby; it's about the size of a large breeze block and really only suitable for small letters.

Am I allowed to waylay the postman on his daily collection and stuff something larger directly into his sack?

(If it settles down to a regular postie, I could try bribery;))

Harry.

harryhound

jenniewrennie wrote: »

I read in the paper the other day that the PO is contemplating dropping Saturday delivery like when they dropped the "2nd post". I know they need to save money but for those of us at work during the week parcels on Saturday are a godsend!

Sunday collection has gone:mad:

searcher13

Too late for most, BUT we had a small jiffy bag containing a pack of sewing needles which apparently measured more than 10mm thick. We were charged 16p additional postage plus £1 administration fee. Even the postal worked agreed it was excessive. Within two days we were back at the collection depot with another excess postage card. This one was for £1.24 because we think that the stamp had not stuck to the shiny envelope. We refused to pay for what looked like just a Christmas card. Sorry sender.
I peeled a stamp off an envelope so I know they can come off!

Gism0

I guess I'll share some insider knowledge..

Some common problems
1) Republic of Ireland / EIRE / Southern Ireland is not part of the UK so you'll need to use Airmail. It'll cost the same as any other letter within Europe, which is 48p up to 20g, 69p up to 40g and 90p up to 60g. If you're unsure then get it checked!

2) If the correct procedure is followed (which it should) then you'll not get cheaper prices by going to different post offices. All post offices use the same computer system (horizon) and are sent the same rules on how to handle mail. If mail is sent out underpaid then it is you (or the person you're sending mail to) who will end up having to pay the fine & postage!

3) Your envelopes must be fully sealed. Mail was getting lost inside other items of mail so now all mail must be sealed.

4) You can't use staples for obvious reasons.

5) Don't put selotape over stamps, this means they can't be cancelled and could be considered fraud.

6) Always put a return address on your letters and packets. It means you'll get it back if it can't be delivered for whatever reason. They'll also send it back to you if you didn't put enough postage on it which can avoid the embarrassment of the addressee getting a fine!

7) Proof of postage is free and you'll need it to make a claim. You can get it at the time of postage by asking the counter assistant. They'll either give you a printed receipt with the house name/number and postcode on it, or the old style 'certificate of posting'. You get proof of postage automatically with special delivery (registered), signed for (recorded) and as part of your receipt on standard parcel and parcelforce items.

Inland Mail
1) Always get the counter assistant to check the size of your package, busy offices will guess a lot of the time and you could accidentally be charged for a 'packet' instead of a 'large letter'.

2) Signed For (recorded delivery) is rubbish. All it gets you is a signature at the end, but as it's handled the same as normal mail it's just as likely to get lost or damaged and half the time the postman doesn't even bother getting a signature. They'll also accept signatures from anyone. Save your 70p!

3) Special Delivery is a good service, use it if what you're sending is worth more than 100x the cost of a first class stamp (currently £34) as that's the maximum value they'll compensate you using 1st or 2nd class mail. It's kept separate from all other mail items and is fully tracked. It also guarantees your item will get there before 1pm (or before 9am if you feel like paying nearly double the price) the next day!

4) If you just need insurance but don't need your item to arrive fast you can use standard parcel! A lot of offices don't offer this to you when you come in (they're really pushing to sell special delivery right now) so be sure to ask about it, it can work out a lot cheaper.

Overseas mail

1) Surface mail is mostly rubbish but it can be a bargain as sometimes it can be just as quick as airmail. If there's room on the plane they'll send it along too! Only use it if you really don't care about your package taking up to 8 weeks on average to arrive (eek!)

2) You need to put a customs form (CN22 or CN23) on any items going outside the EU.

3) Try to keep airmail small packets under 2KG and airmail printed papers under 5KG. Those are the maximums for royal mail, afterwards you'll have to use Parcelforce which is nearly twice as expensive. If possible you should always split your packages up!

4) Airsure can get your package overseas around 1 day quicker than airmail. It can also provide insurance up to £500 and electronic confirmation of delivery (no signature, though)

megsykins

I used to cut postage costs by sneaking stuff into the work mail; even when I did pay the postage, it goes straight to the sorting office, instead of being picked up around 5pm from a post box and getting to the SO god knows when, and thus arrives at its destination faster.
Interestingly, my parents and I sent parcels to each other on the same day a fortnight ago - me from Oz to UK and them vice versa. They've received theirs days ago, I'm still waiting. And they sent just a large envelope, I sent a big 2kg+ box. Best service I ever had though was a parcel posted from Singapore on a Tues pm, received in UK Fri am!

silverelephant wrote: »

Also what are people's thoughts on getting a postal service 7 days or the post offices being open 7 days? In this time of 24/7 everything it would be interesting to know especially since you can effectively now buy postage/stamps online 24/7.

That would be awesome - esp as when parcels don't get delivered, they get sent to our little local PO which is open Mon - Fri 10am - 3pm; really useful for people working 9-5. On a similar note, here in Oz, major branches of banks in city centres are open every day - including Sundays; very, very useful.

The elderly do appreciate you talking to them, it maybe the only person they see all day but the least anyone can do is to listen to them

I agree

mistwraith_2

ukmonkey wrote: »

Guys, please don't make posts that are conspiring to commit fraud.

Ways to get around paying for postage at all are not what Martin intended to be posted on this thread, not only this, but you'd be breaking the law by carrying out these "tricks" too!

Can you tell us just where this supposed frued tip is . As far as I am concerned no one has done anything illegal or posted such here. There is no problem folding A4 sheets over to A5

mistwraith_2

edina wrote: »

I WORK FOR THE Royal Mail & if i was sorting such mail, it would be put in the surcharge box, so the person that is being sent the mail would have a £1 surcharge added on. Also doing things like this will only make RM loose money, hence put prices up again.

'm not quite sure what this refers too, if the letter of packet conforms to teh current size weight guidlines then there shouldn't be a problem. remember edina, you and your colleagues will have to rely on the publics good will to support you teh next time you go on strike.

custardy

depends what edinas referring to.
seems to have been some post deletions on this thread.

for example if it was an unofficial redirection(so not paid for) then of course it should be surcharged