New postal charges.

[saxy_jag]

Anyone else think this is one big con?

I posted an assignment to my tutor this morning - 4 sheets of A4 in an A4 envelope, because the Open University doesn't like them folded. Last week it would have cost me 32p. Today, it was 44p.

We're told the changes are because bigger envelopes cost more to handle. Thing is, my bosses don't pay me any more for handling a 'large letter' than they do for an ordinary 'letter' of the same weight. I doubt postmen and women will be getting any significant pay rises in the near future, either, so where's my money going?

[hugnie21]

The way I understand it is that A4 envelopes have to go through a different machine to A5 ones. Or something like that! So I assume the machine costs more to run?

To be honest I'm amazed that the system wasn't changed a long time ago, it makes much more sense.

It's not the Post Office's fault the OU don't like folded paper.

[mrrobbo15]

total con and to make things worse.....they tell us, as they are doing us favour !!

but what can u do

[joko]

its crap.

i can understand perhaps parcels being changed because of size - but ordinary envelopes!! no need.

[filthiestfis]

Its absolute rubbish. Look, if they are making changes its for their benefit-the new system generates more money for them. Otherwise, why would they spend money advertising a new system that wont bring them money? Charging according to size is baloney-in which other country do you see that happening? Get real.

[hugnie21]

I'm not really familiar with the postal system of every country in the world so I can't answer that filthiestfis.

[SteveD]

The tariffs in Belgium work like this:

There are two formats of letters, "normal" and "outsize" (for want of a better translation). "Normal" letters are:

* Rectangular
* Maximum weight: 50 g
* Minimum size: 90 mm x 140 mm
* Maximum size: 125 mm x 235 mm
* Maximum thickness: 5 mm

There are two categories of service, "Prior" (next day delivery) and "Non-Prior" (next day but one delivery).

The costs (to an address in Belgium) are:

"Normal": �0.52 (Prior); �0.46 (Non-Prior)
"Outsize": �0.83 (Prior); �0.78 (Non-Prior)

In reality, of course, the "normal" envelopes you buy meet the above requirements.

At an exchange rate of �1.00 = �1.47, how does that compare with UK rates? Belgium, of course, is much smaller than the UK.

[saxy_jag]

Paying for weight, I don't have a problem with. Neither do I have a problem with paying a little extra for something that's a really awkward shape or non-standard size. But bog-standard, A4 envelopes which can be lighter (and often thinner) than some smaller ones? I should say these constitute about 90% of my incoming work post.

Why not just a seperate rate for non-standard envelope sizes (ie not A4, C5, DL etc)? Thickness of these shouldn't be a problem because there's a limit to what you can fit into them.

[jno]

why not have a word with the OU? They may well be persuaded that they need to change their rules to cope with changing circumstances. As if it makes any difference to tutors whether your papers have a fold in them. That's the silly ruling, not the Post Office's one.

[Catso]

I don't think the PO are being unreasonable here; machanical handling/sorting of A4 costs more than ordinary envelopes - I can understand that.

They've changed it so that the pricings are fairer. The people using the big envelopes pay more, other rates have gone down. You are paying for the service you're getting. It is not an across-the-board increase.

[saxy_jag]

JNO, it's not a rule. It's just what most people (including me), prefer. It's a way of presenting an assignment in a professional manner. Likewise things like CVs and forms and the like. I was merely using it as an example.

To give you another, at work, we placed a standard-sized paperback book in a suitably sized jiffy bag (ie slightly larger than C5). This is something we have to post regularly. The price is now hiked from around 48p to something in the region of 60p. Slightly too big to go in the 'letter' slot, but nowhere near A4. This, by the way, will come out of people's council tax.

[hugnie21]

"This, by the way, will come out of people's council tax".

Oh well, just another waste of our council tax to add to the many others.

Do you send A4 paper as well as books from work? If so, you could fold them in half and now save on costs. It works both ways.

I really don't see why this has to be such a big deal.
I completely agree with Catso and jno

[Simeon]

In my honest and cynical opinion, they are cashing in on the postal explosion caused by ebay.

[Catso]

Simeon, I do a lot of buying & selling on ebay, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that prices for small packets had gone down.

So unless people are buying & selling stuff that needs sending in A4 envelopes, they'll be better off under the new pricing.

[DebDeb]

It is out of order but the government is screwing the post office left ,right and centre and loads of them will be closing down soon.Maybe it's a way to get more money coming in as soon you won't be able to draw pensions or benefits from the post office.A big shame for the elderly that live in small villages.I read about maybe getting your pension from pubs in the future,Great!Look out for alcoholic grannies roaming the streets in the future!