to be angry at Royal Mail ripping us off?!

[Lotster]

Three times around my son's birthday I have had a card through the door saying I had to traipse to the PO's collection office, as I had a letter with excess postage to pay.

Turns out each time it has been a small birthday card with a little badge on it, posted in good faith by a relative or friend thinking a first class stamp is enough!

Aparently with the new size + weight guidelines on postage, these all required an extra 6p!! On top of that I had to pay a "handling" charge or £1 - so a total of £1.06 each time

Now although it's clear on the website etc (aparently, as long as you get the scales out) most of the sweet old dears in our family and I'm sure plenty others, have no idea about the rules and are not web savvy anyway.

I don't want to sound ungrateful and rude asking people to pay more postage or not buy badge cards, I'd feel ridiculous, but I also don't want to get ripped off again. Has anyone else had to do this?

I could ignore the cards, but if someone sends him a cheque and I never say thankyou I'd feel terrible!

I asked the man at the collection office why they didn't just send those cards 2nd class instead of dragging me down there, to which he repied that 1st and 2nd class cards all go at the same time anyway..WTF??

Maybe the card manufacturers should list the postage amount on the back of each card from now on?

Some do.

You are fast lady! That's good, hope it catches on.

All of these badged cards (or cards with decoupage) are classed as large letters and are either 42p second class or 52p first. I dont think YABU though - loads of people are getting caught out with this.

However, forgot to add that when these new size/weight/thickness regulations were introduced, every household in the country was sent an information leaflet/size guide.

postage amount on the back of the card is a good idea. don't think po are ripping people off though.

I really sympathise - this happens to me - it is no joke when cards don't arrive and it makes you feel there is no humanity at the PO.

The post office are bloody ripping me off, it cost me £5.30 to pay two bills there last week!

oops meant royal mail, not post office

Colditz - £5.30? Standard transcash fee is £2.35. Whatever your bills were for can you not change to a company that allows you to pay free of charge at the PO?