Postal Machinery Controversy

The allegations are that Royal Mail is attempting to profit from people who do not understand or try to flout the rules concerning pricing in proportion.

One of the main places it is becoming an issue is with the difference between large letters and packets. It is claimed that the post is being passed through a machine which determines the depth, which must be a maximum of 25mm. The machines used to give a small amount of scope for size difference, but it now set to be almost exact. An envelope with a depth of 25mm exactly will pass and cost 52p, but a depth of 25.1mm will cost you £1.14, more than double the price!

But if you only put a large letter stamp on the envelope, value 52p, and it fails the test, the recipient is liable for the difference in price, which is 62p, plus a £1 surcharge for the hassle! So, including the original stamp, it could cost you £2.14 for a fraction of a millimeter.

Arguments have erupted over the use of the equipment, mainly because it is not available in post office. I myself have posted items which are borderline on size, so I take them to my local post office and they pass them through a slot exactly measured to the correct size. On nearly all occasions the staff manage to squeeze them through, although some are a tight fit.

Although I have not had a problem with this, allegations have been made that counter staff agree it is a large letter rate and charge accordingly. The item is then rejected at the sorting office and a surcharge is added, even though the item was seen to pass the test by the staff.

Royal Mail has not commented on the situation, but a source stated that the size guidelines are very clear and customers who post oversize items at a lower rate will be charged in accordance with the regulations.

It has also stated that if an item of mail is surcharged after being cleared by counter staff, then the fee can be refunded as long as a certificate of postage is produced.

Other sizes of mail has not been mentioned, although will probably be assessed in the watchdogs report.

Mark Steele

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