Posted something as a "large letter" but was probably a "packet":(

kiwi_fruit

It's a thin womens top, I packed it last night in a mailing bag, made sure it goes through the large letter slot, today took it to the post office and could see it inflated a bit(if that's the right word, filled with a air I mean), I squeezed it, checked it goes through as a "large letter" and asked to post it as such(was just 1st class LL stamp). And it just crossed my mind that it's going to inflate again, and when inflated it wouldn't go through the LL slot:( Do they check that at the sorting office? Now worried buyer will be asked to pay extra and handling fee and I'll get negative feedback. What a doughnut I am:(

hermum

It should be ok as it will be crammed into a sack with other stuff.

superwoman4

I had a similar worry as I didn't take into account the weight of my item and just posted with a large letter stamp. Anyway, got good feedback so must have been delivered OK and I doubt they check in the sorting office.

chemical.galaxy

Should be fine - I posted something 2nd class which was going to germany - I realised too late and emailed buyer to say that I would pay any excess postage but it got there just fine in the end...

olias

I had something similar. Was going to post it as packet, but the woman behind the counter at the post office said, 'oh that will go as a large letter' She then proceeded to push all the air out of it until it fitted through the LL slot! I don't think it's checked again at the sorting office.

Olias

kiwi_fruit

Thanks guys, you've put my mind at rest

mobile48

I never had a problem myself though the following news story contains a warning:

The surcharges and "administration fee" are imposed by revenue protection staff who pull out items at random to see if the correct postage has been paid.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10896007

lin473

They are very fussy at the PO's round me.
It actually has to drop through the large letter slot to qualify.
I was told it goes through a machine which rejects them if they're too fat.

I recently had a white top I thought would go large letter and that was puffed up with air (still went through the guage).
The lady at the PO stabbed it all over with her biro to let the air out ! :eek:

I e-mailed the buyer to let me know if it was covered in ink and explained why but as it turned out it was fine!

RFW

lin473 wrote: »

I was told it goes through a machine which rejects them if they're too fat.

I'd stand to be corrected by someone who has experience but to check everyone they would first have to sort out letters, large letters and packets and then check them, which would surely end up taking up too much time and costing more to do. It's most likely that they randomly check them and rely on them being correct going out of the post office.

pug_in_a_bed

You could pre-empt it and send the buyer a quick message advising them that if theres a shortage you'll send them the cash through paypal if they send a photo showing a charge

To be honest it'll probably be fine, I've done this by accident and all was well

KiKi

lin473 wrote: »

They are very fussy at the PO's round me.
It actually has to drop through the large letter slot to qualify.
I was told it goes through a machine which rejects them if they're too fat.

I was also told that - that they go through a machine, so if they don't 'drop' through the slot by themselves, they won't go through and will be pulled out.

Perhaps that's when they're tested, and they let the borderline ones through but the clear packages they charge for?

KiKi