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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That Royal Mail package postage prices hike yesterday will severely dent Ebay, Amazon selling/buying, etc.

98 replies

OhLori · 03/04/2013 18:50

I went to the Post Office today to send some crocs through the post, second class - normally £2.60.

However, it is now (second-class) £5.20 to send this item. It was 2mm thicker than the new width allowances (even though it was incredibly light 330g).

The PO worker told me these were the new rates from 2 April 2013. They have a new measuring plastic thing to check measurements for small and medium packets.

So, apart from buying/selling books (which counts as a small packet), that's it for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
OhLori · 03/04/2013 19:11

I know this sounds boring a subject, but believe me, next time you go to the Post Office to send a parcel you will be as horrified as me! It is absolutely daylight robbery by Royal Mail.

OP posts:
SayMama · 03/04/2013 19:11

I know, my nephew left his beloved teddy here yesterday, and they live four hours from us, so I posted it back. £5.20 it was Shock

Mumof3men · 03/04/2013 19:18

I use the click and collect courier service, they have drop off points in shops and garages, it is a tracked delivery and is £3.99 for up to 2 kgs

tiggytape · 03/04/2013 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thursday · 03/04/2013 19:24

i'm horrified reading it! i was just about to list a load of stuff on ebay. no one will buy it though, just not worth it!

StaticSockMonster · 03/04/2013 19:25

Mum, what is the click and collect service?
Could you point me in the direction to get some more info please?

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 03/04/2013 19:27

i got stung for this. i had listed some ebay items (grobags) which I've sold previously. Listed P&P for £3.25, as it always cost £2 something to send, plus my packaging costs. I nearly fell over when asked to pay £5.20 each, and equally don't think I can ask my buyers to suck this up either.

wanderingcloud · 03/04/2013 19:30

I also listed weekend before last, not realising that by the time I sold and got to the post office the prices have increased. Between the eBay and PayPal fees and the increased postage I have made a loss! :(

Mumof3men · 03/04/2013 19:42

this is the one
www.collectplus.co.uk/

Mumof3men · 03/04/2013 19:43

don't know why that didn't go in blue :-(

they are really good, I drop off at the local garage

lisalisa · 03/04/2013 19:51

Thanks mumof3men - that was an amazing tip! I sell a bit onebay and am scratching my head wondering how to continue as I sell mostly low value items which no-one will want to pay £5 delivery for.

It's still a big increase to go from £2.60 which is what I used to charge up to £3.99 but we can try I suppose!

Original poster
OhLori · 03/04/2013 19:55

Yes useful Mumof3, I will consider also in the future.

I think Royal Mail have cooked their goose with these hikes, and I really hope they suffer the consequences of their greedy and ill-thought-through changes.

OP posts:
shelley72 · 03/04/2013 19:57

bugger. i relisted a pair of shoes at the weekend and have only asked 2.50 for postage - thinking that would cover it forgetting we are now in april. dont suppose i can up it now can i?

lljkk · 03/04/2013 20:02

Amazon.co & similar will be fine, they have business accounts, and the business account rates with RM are quite a bit lower, totally different price regime, no problem.

I really don't think RM is going to lose that much business; of the 125 things I list (all my old stuff) only 2 or 3 had big price increases, and I can still use couriers for those at prices not so far different from what RM used to charge, anyway.

BabylonReturns · 03/04/2013 20:05

It looks like RM have done away with standard parcels, but I looked up the prices yesterday, and a medium parcel upto 2kg is now £8.00 Shock

This will cripple eBay I fear, or will see RM left really struggling as people turn to other couriers. I think it may be a real opportunity for couriers to get a bigger bite of the cherry though......

ExcuseTypos · 03/04/2013 20:09

I got the shock of my life yesterday when I returned a pair of small ballet pumps. The postoffice man was really embarrassed at the increase in price.

As someone else said, I'll just use click and collect next time. It's going to mean people stop using post offices, which will be a real shame.

cornygrigio · 03/04/2013 20:11

oh no I have a pair of shoes to go back to amazon...might as well keep them if I have to pay £5 postage Shock

I'm only ordering from retailers with free returns in future.

MarmaladeTwatkins · 03/04/2013 20:12

Do Royal Mail have a death wish?! I can send a parcel which is 4kg via Hermes (drop off at a local shop) for £4.79. Royal Mail can fuck right off. I am sick of businesses in this country taking the mick out of us all.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/04/2013 20:16

So collect plus and Hermes come recommended then?

OP YANBU, I have a growing pile of things that I was going to eBay but this has put me off. It's too much to just give away and I really was hoping to make a bit of money in the run up to the summer.

Lots of homework to do to figure out the most reasonable ways of sending things.

VIX1980 · 03/04/2013 20:18

Who actually thought up this ridiculous scheme though?? they need sacking and as everyone else has said there are plenty of other options that i will use in the future.

I sold 1 top and a maxi dress yesterday both for 99p each, got to the post office and they wanted £11.90 to send them both recorded 2nd class Shock If this is there brightest idea of making more money i fear they are loosing it. Is there some sort of place we can complain en masse to them?

TheSeventhHorcrux · 03/04/2013 20:20

This was a slap in the face for me too when I went to post off some orders from my Etsy shop. I will have to made damn sure my parcels are the right size otherwise it's going to really hit hard.
I had to spend the whole afternoon amending all of my postage info and I fear it may put off potential customers. Sad

SarahAndFuck · 03/04/2013 20:23

Those prices are shocking.

They are relying on people not knowing how to use a courier service and just paying up for convenience.

GiveMeStrength2day · 03/04/2013 20:28

I needed to post some stuff off for a charity today. The lady serving in the Post Office was really embarrassed at how much the charges were and tried her very best to help me reduce the cost - including sellotaping one of my envelopes in half (with her own sellotape Smile ). She said she felt she needed to apologise for the massive hike in prices. I can't see me continuing to sell on Ebay now either.

Original poster
OhLori · 03/04/2013 20:32

Well the two postal workers I had, couldn't care less!

Embarrassingly, I begged one of them to send it as small package because it was only 2mm too big. I had already gone home once already to re-wrap it, so this was my second attempt. He refused, but directed me to the anonymous "self-service" section, whilst warning me I would have to pay the extra anyway. I thought I'd chance my arm, and hopefully not arrested and charged in the process, so we shall see ...

I honestly think modern life is driving me mad.

OP posts:
FIFIBEBE · 03/04/2013 20:33

45cm x 35cm x 8cm is my new mantra. If the parcel is any bigger, costs go through the roof.