Beat Stamp Price Rise: First Class Rise (Not) (Merged)

waverley

Hi, I am reliably informed by an 'insider' that they don't have time to segregate 1st and 2nd class mail anyway. They are so short staffed that they are employing people who cannot read English, who regularly bring mail back undelivered. This is dumped in a 'big green box' do be dealt with later - and this includes registered mail. God help us.

Nick99

The best saving of all is to buy a set of postal scales and a supply of 1p and 2p stamps. Yes, it will cost you something to set up, but you will then be astounded at just how many postal rates work out at just a couple of pence more than standard first or second class postal rates:
eg 1st class between 60g and 100g is 42p. Do you:

a) put on 2* 1st class stamps because you havent got any other = 56p, or
b) put on 3* 2nd class for the same reason = 60p, or
c) put on 2* 2nd class + 2* 1p = 42p

It all sounds a bit retentive I grant you, but if you send out a lot of post it saves multi £££s!

Marigold123

Hi Nick, could you explain what you mean in little words for the hard of understanding? What are you saving, and how? (I'm having a blonde morning!)

Cheers,

Marigold

---

Ah you beat me to it.

I completely agree. I quite often find myself wanting to send something a bit over the odds in weight, I've only got 1st and 2nd and I can't wait until I go to the post office.

Sound idea!

(Digital kitchen scales often have 5g intervals, BTW - perfect for weighing letters.)

Cheers!

bs7

Nick99 wrote:

The best saving of all is to buy a set of postal scales and a supply of 1p and 2p stamps. Yes, it will cost you something to set up, but you will then be astounded at just how many postal rates work out at just a couple of pence more than standard first or second class postal rates:
eg 1st class between 60g and 100g is 42p. Do you:

a) put on 2* 1st class stamps because you havent got any other = 56p, or
b) put on 3* 2nd class for the same reason = 60p, or
c) put on 2* 2nd class + 2* 1p = 42p

It all sounds a bit retentive I grant you, but if you send out a lot of post it saves multi £££s!

ALSO putting the exact price on parcels means it stands more chance of being sent first class, if you've paid for first class.

When it comes to sorting the parcels most are not weighed. Usually a guess is just made (as long as it doesn't look as if it's underpaid) and the cost of the stamps is usually what determines if it gets thrown in the bin/trolley thing for first class or second class.

So, of course, the three second class stamps could end up being considered as being 58p postage and getting sent in the second class mail IF for example the letter or parcel looks deceivingly large and/or heavy.

red

does anyone know if safeway or superdrug are likely to do one of their postage stamp offers again? i think the last safeways one was before the morrisons takeover(?) so may never happen again...anyone have any ideas?

pthov

I don't know if Yorkshire is different to where all the other posters live but there is definitely a difference between 1st and 2nd class. 1st class gives you something like an 80% chance of next day delivery whereas 2nd class is 50-50 whether it takes 2 or 3 days.

Having said that, I agree the obvious rule only use 1st class if it's urgent!

Cinders_2

Me and Mine ALWAYS buy our stamps at the same time as filling up with petrol at Sainsburys. Receipt shows total of purchases and allocates their Nectar Reward points for everything bought!! Hope this helps. I'm fairly sure Tesco petrol stations work in the same way.

quoia

Nick99 wrote:

The best saving of all is to buy a set of postal scales and a supply of 1p and 2p stamps. Yes, it will cost you something to set up, but you will then be astounded at just how many postal rates work out at just a couple of pence more than standard first or second class postal rates:
eg 1st class between 60g and 100g is 42p. Do you:

a) put on 2* 1st class stamps because you havent got any other = 56p, or
>>> b) put on 3* 2nd class for the same reason = 60p, or
>>> c) put on 2* 2nd class + 2* 1p = 42p

It all sounds a bit retentive I grant you, but if you send out a lot of post it saves multi £££s!

First of all I'd get my numbers and calculations right !

2 x 2nd class = 42p

2nd class IS 21p so 3* 2nd class = 63p

Re 1st class versus 2nd class:
During a 10 week period Oct '04 to Dec'04 I sent out about 50 small parcels (bit of eBaying) to most parts of England and a couple to Wales and Scotland.
ALL went by 2nd class.
45 of them were delivered the following day. (I always ask for email confirmation)
Not bad considering that most of them caught the last post of the day at 18:00, and that about 15 of the parcels were sent just 7 to 10 days before Xmas.

jellyhead

i use more 2nd class stamps than 1st. when i sell on ebay i offer a choice of first or second postage and everyone chooses second. not many items of mail are urgent.

quoia

MSE_Martin wrote:

It's been announced that First class stamps are to rise from 28p to 30p on Thursday 7 April. If you’re going to need some, stock up soon on those which don't note the price, just say "first".

.

Already stocked up - before Xmas - with BOTH varieties.

ASDA were selling "21p" 2nd class stamps for 20p (Book of 12 = £2.40)

Superdrug were selling "28p" 1st class stamps for 26.6p (Book of 12 less 5%)