Worries on mail pricing switch
Changes in the way mail is priced could cause confusion at the post office, a watchdog has warned.
From Monday, postage will be based on the size and thickness of the item, as well as the weight.
Postwatch Midlands, the watchdog for postal services, accepts the new system is fair – but fears customers are not fully prepared.
Regional manager Shirley Goodchild said: “We understand and accept why this is being implemented. It makes sense for prices to represent the actual costs.
“Our concern is ensuring that customers understand what is happening, especially those who are vulnerable. Otherwise, it could lead to confusion and long queues at post offices.”
Online shopping has led to an increase in the number of packages sent through the post. Royal Mail says the size of the post affects the cost of processing and delivery as much as the weight.
Mail will be split into three sections: letter – such as postcards; greetings cards, and bills; large letters – including magazines; and packets – such as video cassettes, posters or large documents.
A one-month amnesty will be in place for customers who do not use the correct value of stamps. After that, mail could be returned to the sender or the recipient could be charged.
Royal Mail is spending GBP 10m on a publicity campaign, but Postwatch has questioned whether individual post offices are fully geared up.
Each post office should have posters up, leaflets out, and a template for customers to check the size of their letters.
But when Postwatch tested 307 post offices across the UK at the start of August, including some in Notts, they found 34% did not have a measuring template, 37% were not displaying posters, and 32% did not have leaflets.
Rosemarie Pryce, 39, of the Arboretum, a mature student, said: “The new system might make the job easier for people in the post office. However, I’m worried that the elderly may be confused.”
Royal Mail spokesman David Dale said 80% of mail would cost the same or less to send, and customers could find ways to keep the price down, such as folding A4 letters in half. Large letter stamps are also being introduced.
