About printing labels at home, sending with Royal Mail

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Just one of the counter staff at one of the post offices brings this up, almost every time I post.

Most what I send is in the small parcel category, so up to 2 kg allowed, typically about 500 grams but I never weigh to input the exact weight. Staff person always comments about the weight of the parcel not matching what it says on the label. He says the item will be pulled aside if I put 600 grams and the item is actually 450 grams, or visa versa. So that pulling aside causes hassle and could delay delivery.

is that true or bonkers? If true, how exact would I need to get it, is "457" close enough to 450, etc.? What margin of difference flags the item?

Hi OP, I regularly send parcels via Royal mail so I’ve added the small parcel price list for you! You can send up to 2kg for the same price! This screenshot shows parcels from 2.99 but be aware it will be more if you send tracked/signed etc.. so I would just send everything at 1 or 2kg and it will still the same price and you won’t get into an argument about weight with them, hope this helps

I recently sent off a parcel where I’d forgotten to enter any weight so it was recorded as 1g. The staff said it should be fine and I didn’t hear anything from the buyer.
I now weigh parcels on my kitchen scales just to make sure!

Maybe it’s something to do with dividing parcels up for transport. 100 parcels all weighing 2 kg each is going to need different treatment to 100 parcels weighing 100g each? Or maybe not. IDK!

I left it at the 1g parcel weight a few times too.

I know the price is same, but this counter staff says that the weight needs to be right, not just < 1k or < 2kg etc, but if I tell ebay parcel is 450 grams then it better not be 600grams. There;s no penalty, he says, just that item will be pulled aside to be checked every time.

I think it sounds bonkers, anyway.

It's because if you're underestimating they'll check whether it exceeds the service weight you've paid for and if you're overestimating they'll check to make sure the parcels not damaged and there's nothing gone missing in transit.

If you're taking them to the post office anyway you may as well just weigh them there.

The post office I use say it can be under but not over. They always check it before they scan it, and if its wrong I take it home, cancel the label and buy a new one with the correct weight. I get an automatic refund on the unused label about 3 weeks later. I've bought digital scales for about £7, and check before I buy the label.

If you're taking them to the post office anyway you may as well just weigh them there.

ah... but see, ebay gives me a deal for £2.99 whereas RM charge £3.35.
I can make sure to always over-estimate, maybe that is right way forward. Always say 600g even if I suspect it's about 500g.

I sell stuff for charity, so I'm not adding extra time to my process unless I have to.