Tag: Post Office

Yesterday was a just a “typical day” for Post Office customers despite predictions the new pricing system would cause “chaos”, said Royal Mail.

New rules which came into force yesterday mean postage costs will determined by the size and shape of the item, not just weight.

Lorna Clarkson, Royal Mail’s Director of Pricing, said: “This is turning out to be a typical day in Post Office branches. There is no sign at all of the ‘chaos’ some predicted!

“I am very confident that customers will quickly get used to the new pricing structure, and we’re grateful for the way they have been taking the time to read the information we’ve distributed.”

The changes were accompanied by a pounds 10m campaign, 27m households received leaflets about the plan.

A spokeswoman for Postwatch, an independent consumer body, had earlier warned “many people still don’t know” about the details.

Ms Clarkson said: “Of course, we are not complacent and recognise that we are making significant changes. We will take all the time they need to explain these changes.

“But every indication we have had from Post Office branches and our customer call centres show that most people are aware of the changes.”

Royal Mail have said they will not gain extra revenue from the changes, and the postage for 80% of the mail will remain the same.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of first time buyers (FTBs) would only be able to meet their mortgage repayments for six months if they lost their regular income tomorrow, reveals new research by Post Office® Financial Services.

With the average house deposit now at GBP 11,710, many FTBs are left overstretched financially. A third then face the additional shock of household running costs, which are much higher than they expected.

The Post Office® research reveals that despite these financial pressures, many FTBs are skimping on protecting themselves. Almost half (45 per cent) of FTBs don’t have any kind of protection against loss of income, from accident, sickness or unemployment (Payment Protection Insurance). Of those who are unprotected, the majority (44 per cent) have avoided doing so because they think it’s too expensive. Almost a third just don’t think they need it.