Royal Mail Click and Drop Weights BPL

Monkeyman5

Hi All,

I'm new here but I've been using Royal Mail business for a few months. I only just realised that Royal Mail have an average weight system through Click and Drop / OBA that basically averages out the bag weight and you could technically save postage / include the odd higher weight parcel.

I think the code for that is CRL whereas BPL is paid per weight category (what I currently use). I'm quite happy with the BPL code as I'm not VAT registered just now but my question is can I still include the odd heavier large letter / parcel per weight band if it averages out?

For example say I send 5 large letters at 50g each could I also include a 6th item at say 200g and state that it weighs under 100g, as the 6 items combined would average to 75g...?

I hope that makes sense, appreciate any advice.

theonlywayisup

I don't know how BPL works but the services I use on C&D are "averaged" when I do the end of day manifest.

If you have 5 large letters @ 50g and 1 @ 200g you don't enter that it weighs 100g, you state what it weighs. The system calculates 6 items at 450g therefore each item is charged at 75g.

If you put 5 large letters @ 50g and 1 @ 100g. The system calculates 6 items at 350g therefore each item is charged at 58g, which is incorrect.

Each item has a barcode and that barcode gives (amongst other pieces of info) the service used and weight entered.

ballisticbrian

Did anyone else here think, *babz media all over again*?

Monkeyman5

The BPL code is the standard account mail whereas CRL code is the Average weight VAT applicable service.

When my end of the day manifest is generated it shows the different weight classes and how many items per weight class, for example:

100g - 5 (items)
250g - 8 (items)
500g - 2 (items)
etc

So I get billed per weight class - 70p for up to 100g, 98p for 101 - 250g etc. Now most of my large letters come out around 50g but I just always key in the max weight so I'll quote it as 100g and if it weighs 220g I'll put 250g into click and drop. My question is because I'm overestimating a lot of my items can I get away with keying in 500g for the odd 560g item?

As I'm not sure if royal mail just check the total bag weight is underneath the max of all the weight classes added together if that makes sense?

theonlywayisup

Monkeyman5 wrote: »

The BPL code is the standard account mail whereas CRL code is the Average weight VAT applicable service.

When my end of the day manifest is generated it shows the different weight classes and how many items per weight class, for example:

100g - 5 (items)
250g - 8 (items)
500g - 2 (items)
etc

So I get billed per weight class - 70p for up to 100g, 98p for 101 - 250g etc. Now most of my large letters come out around 50g but I just always key in the max weight so I'll quote it as 100g and if it weighs 220g I'll put 250g into click and drop. My question is because I'm overestimating a lot of my items can I get away with keying in 500g for the odd 560g item?

As I'm not sure if royal mail just check the total bag weight is underneath the max of all the weight classes added together if that makes sense?

If you are going to be using C&D then you put in the exact weight per item. I am not sure how relevant your explanation of BPL is when you are [I think] querying how C&D works?

soolin

I'm not sure my post will help, but I'm away and don't have access to my accounting system.

I use my OBA via click and drop and use the no VAT codes - I don't recall what they are though. I don't have any batched weight, I pay per item, so all 2nd class large letters under 100g for instance are 70p . My bill reflects these prices and there is no element at all of doing any average prices.

EDIT: I've just realised I can actually check my codes - I'm using BPL codes and it's done entirely on weight per item and not on bag or average weights.

Sorry for such an unhelpful post!

soolin

theonlywayisup wrote: »

If you are going to be using C&D then you put in the exact weight per item. I am not sure how relevant your explanation of BPL is when you are [I think] querying how C&D works?

It also explains how BPL codes work rather than the average weight codes. As per my unhelpful post some of us use OBA accounts via click and drop exactly as anyone else would use click and drop, except that we don't pay VAT on the postage. So the explanation is valid and in answer to the OP means if they are using BPL codes then each item is paid for at the rate within the band chosen, so if they have a 200g package they can't pay for less than 100g as it doesn't average out. If caught the OP would have some serious explaianing to do and as per post 3 re babz media, probably lose the right to use the discounted service entirely at the very least.

Monkeyman5

Thank you yes I am on the exact same system where I pay per item, I understand there is no average bag weight system for us. I'm just wondering if we can get away with the odd item that is slightly over it's band weight by under stating the weight, especially If I'm overstating the weight for other items?

I realise this is a confusing one!

theonlywayisup

Ok, but I still don't understand what you are asking...

Are you asking if you would be better off staying on BPL or switching to C&D?

Whatever you are asking, if you are using C&D you cannot misrepresent the weight as it is on a barcode.

If you are BPL then there is no barcode.

Sorry, we are VAT registered so I'm not sure how the non VAT service works on C&D or OBA.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Monkeyman5 wrote: »

I'm just wondering if we can get away with the odd item that is slightly over it's band weight by under stating the weight, especially If I'm overstating the weight for other items?

Unfortunately you can't and they'll bill you an admin fee of around £25 if they need to amend the sales order due to something being incorrect.

Bear in mind it's not just the 2D barcode containing the data but they will also randomly red cross your mail, when this happens revenue protection at the mail center will check all the mail that day.

soolin

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Ok, but I still don't understand what you are asking...

Are you asking if you would be better off staying on BPL or switching to C&D?

Whatever you are asking, if you are using C&D you cannot misrepresent the weight as it is on a barcode.

If you are BPL then there is no barcode.

Sorry, we are VAT registered so I'm not sure how the non VAT service works on C&D or OBA.

You can be both BPL and click and drop, exactly as I am , I also generate delivery codes but only for my packages, not for my large letters. I am not VAT registered so this is the best scheme for me, I pay per item without VAT and don't have to worry about average weights or anything.

I agree with your point and those of others that misrepresenting the weight on this scheme could end up very expensive indeed.