Royal Mail and their non digital scales

isayoldchap

Sometime ago I had a little argument with a post office till clerk insisting that my small package was over the 2kg mark on their non digital scales.
On my home digital scales the same package was 1995g.At the time I believe
the addittional charge was around £2.50+ extra.
I actually took the package direct the same day to the main post office and low and behold it was 1995g.

Guess what it has again occurred.I was nearly charged the higher charge but asked that they leave that one.

I sell items on Ebay and cut my packages to size and even made to measure specifically to be within the correct band weights and not pay for unnecessary £££'s.I also carry the up to date pricing made easy leaflet alongside when I box up and when attending the post office,where incidentally I only take smaller items.This is because alot of larger items can go quite securely for £3.99 (Christmas offer)but usually £5.00 via Ebay listed couriers,that's up to 30kg in some cases, instead of rip off unsecured post service.Tough if it get's lost or stolen as it's not tracked unless you may want to pay around £17+.The Ebay couriers will use DHL and Parcelforce usually who also collect from your choice of addresses.Their service is tracked and has some insurance ranging from £50-£150.More ins. for a premium.

I called in the correct departments to deal with this and check the calibration records.It was concluded that unless the postmaster was willing to have the scales changed for more accuracy to digital it would not be a compulsory thing.

So my challenge is simple......
1.Package your parcels without excess packaging making sure that you have accurate digital scales at home to weigh before you get to the post office.I use two digital scales.

2.Challenge any on the line readings if they are not using digital scales.

3.Check the scales they are using are on the line at the start.There may also
be a balance liquid line to show level accuracy.

With the new increases in prices especially affecting weight,size etc ,you
maybe paying more than you should for parcels/packages your clerk thinks maybe over the actual weight.Also ask if they have a calibrated digital scale that can be used.

I am hoping some other moneysavers have similar stories.

superscaper

I'm pretty sure they are very strictly legally obliged to keep their scales calibrated. As an aside (being an engineer), it makes no difference whether they are digital or not, it has no bearing on how accurate they are. Even digital scales process information from analogue to digital. The only obvious indication of accuracy in terms of tolerance is basically the cost. The actual important components in scales are all analogue anyway.

welshmountingsheep

Complain to your local trading standards people; the post office ARE, after all, selling something by weight, and if they are going to charge you for something they should be charging the correct amount.

Also ask to see the daily calibration records.

furrypolka

Absolutely, they need to have their scales properly calibrated - if there are any questions about a set of scales do report it to the weights and measures team at the local Trading Standards.

rjm2k1

Now, this could explain why I've received and sent things which have ended up being surcharged for being overweight!

Sooler

isayoldchap wrote:

Sometime ago I had a little argument with a post office till clerk insisting that my small package was over the 2kg mark on their non digital scales.
On my home digital scales the same package was 1995g.At the time I believe
the addittional charge was around £2.50+ extra.

You don't have to have the item weighed do you?, if you already know the weight just buy the postage stamps and stick them on yourself, put the item it in the post box.

isayoldchap

Sooler wrote:

You don't have to have the item weighed do you?, if you already know the weight just buy the postage stamps and stick them on yourself, put the item it in the post box.

Would it work for recorded as well?

isayoldchap

furrypolka wrote:

Absolutely, they need to have their scales properly calibrated - if there are any questions about a set of scales do report it to the weights and measures team at the local Trading Standards.

I guess on a lucky day they might have a check done that trips them up.

isayoldchap

furrypolka wrote:

Absolutely, they need to have their scales properly calibrated - if there are any questions about a set of scales do report it to the weights and measures team at the local Trading Standards.

I dread it if you have a package that is 2kg only to be charge 2001g.That extra 1g will cost you £2.39 if it goes parcel post.

Mistakes can happen is because they read a needle on these non digital which may not have been calibrated to perfection now.
At least with a digital you hope to start at zero and if it goes to 2000g you know where you stand.

superscaper

isayoldchap wrote:

Mistakes can happen is because they read a needle on these non digital which may not have been calibrated to perfection now.
At least with a digital you hope to start at zero and if it goes to 2000g you know where you stand.

I agree digital is easier to read but inaccuracies can come in the form of various types, not just offset error. With our cheap digital scales, besides zeroing it, I try it with proper brass engineering weights, eg 500g, 20g. With that I can demonstrate to the post office if it came to it that I know my scales are accurate. Brass weights don't need calibrating

welshmountingsheep

Of course, you could submit a complaint to postwatch and see if they could help.