Royal Mail parcel - cheaper to pay online?

[Paris75France]

Hi,
I live outside the UK so don't use Royal Mail very often. I have a 1.3kg parcel to send next week when I will be in England. I checked the price online and it seems to be cheaper than I paid in early December for a lighter parcel! I am wondering if it is cheaper to pay for postage online and then take the parcel to a post office with a QR code or something. Does anyone know?

The recipient is reimbursing me for the postage cost, so I need to give her the correct cost. I wat to send it tracked, without signature, 48 hour delivery. Looking online, both the recipient and I thought it would be £3.50 but in early December I paid £4.25.

Thanks!

It is generally cheaper if you pay for your postage online. International postage is much cheaper. I send my brother in Australia Christmas puddings every year and the price difference this year was about a fiver! Another thing I discovered this year is that Royal Mail will pick your parcel up from your home for 30p. I print my own labels from the app on my phone onto sticky backed paper, but the postman will bring them with him/her if you can't.

Thank you so much. I had no idea. I sent about six parcels to different people in December, having sold things online. It would have been useful to know that the postman could collect parcels and bring a label for 30p.

Parcel monkey gets a bulk deal price for Royal Mail and I've found a lot cheaper than just purchasing at PO counter.

Yes it's significantly cheaper online these days. I've made that mistake before.

If I were your recipient I would be fine paying you the £4.25 though, especially if you are not passing on any other costs like packaging.

I would like to keep the cost down for her as much as possible. I am fine to provide packaging and time, as the item was of sentimental value and is going to a good home.

They try and upsell you in the post office as well - if you buy in there make sure to ask for the cheapest fully tracked option

otherwise I paid about 3.50 online for something weighing a kilo x