to think you should be able to give it a little wiggle?

[Workyticket]

I went to post something today. A pair or crochet wrist warmers - in a proper letterbox sized box

Checked it in the letterbox thingy in the self service area of the Post office and it went through easily enough with a tiny wiggle.

A staff member charged over, took the box from me and leaned over the machine to change it to "parcel" rather than the "large letter" I'd put in.

Apparently it needs to "glide through without touching the sides" and that she'd "seen me wiggle it"

I said it went through easily, that I didn't want to pay for a parcel and that I'd re-package (flatten the fucking things a bit) them.

No urgency for me to post them so I wasn't that arsed. The whole thing weighs about 110g including the box!

The box is taped shut in the right place so clearly not bulging!

So - none issue really but is a little wiggle out of order?

Jobsworth.

Yep I've had this!
They're apparently not allowed to use any force incase it damages what's inside and folk claim.

Honestly, I'm not sure what I was expecting when I opened this thread, but definitely not post office stuff .

Those are the rules

@THEDEACON

Those are the rules

I think they just state it should fit through - I think it did! No rule about a wiggle 🥸

@spangleswereace

Yep I've had this! They're apparently not allowed to use any force incase it damages what's inside and folk claim.

I wish someone had told my postman this, I frequently get my magazine subscription squished or crumpled. (We have one of those external wall mounted post box things, it’s not big enough for a magazine but that doesn’t seem to stop him).

@CheshireChat

Honestly, I'm not sure what I was expecting when I opened this thread, but definitely not post office stuff .

😂😂😂

The staff have always given mine a little wiggle or a shake if it's close. Why does she care?

I wish someone had told my postman this, I frequently get my magazine subscription squished or crumpled

Same @SBAM

It's because the machine that sorts the letters at the sorting office is unmanned, so there is nobody there to "give it a little wiggle" therefore, the person receiving the parcel would be charged the extra, and a fee. The slot in the machine is the same size as the size checker at the post office. It has nothing to do with letterbox size

I wish someone had told my postman this, I frequently get my magazine subscription squished or crumpled. (We have one of those external wall mounted post box things, it’s not big enough for a magazine but that doesn’t seem to stop him.

So what's postie supposed to do ? Wait for you to answer the door - along with everyone else awaiting that mag?

Get a bigger box.

I had this when sending a jacket that was packed in a box , slightly over the height limit . Took the box off the lady and jumped on it to make it fit !

It will be the sorting machines rather than the letter boxes.

Never heard of it not being able to touch the sides.

@spangleswereace

Yep I've had this! They're apparently not allowed to use any force incase it damages what's inside and folk claim.

hahha try telling that to my friend when I sent half a dozen hatching eggs in an reinforced outside with stiff card and bubblewrap egg box - far far too chunky to fit a letterbox, but no they tried to squish it in!

This has been the bane of my life. Its better to pay for a small parcel. The post office and Royal Mail are different, even if the PO wiggles it all day long, chances are pretty good RM will say it's insufficient postage paid.