Royal Mail scamming ?

[pt1231970]

Hi all hard working posties , that's if you are like ours as they are a good bunch

Have a question if anyone knows the answer ? As something is certainly amiss at the moment with Royal Mail
I have posted between 10-40 small parcels (footwear - box dimensions fall within scope) with weight of no more than 1.1kgs by recorded delivery for the last 10-12 years with not many issues other than the odd box go missing here and there but over the last 2 weeks I have now had 4 receivers of the parcels saying they have had a card stating that they have to pay £3 to receive the item or collect as the sender hasn't paid ?
Royal Mail customer services haven't been able to be much help other than say I have it wrong but in layman's terms that's bollox as all taken to the helpful lasses at the post office and weighed and scanned with tracking receipts given

Can anyone possibly enlighten me as to what's what here as I am trying to pacify buyers and giving refunds whilst convincing myself that Royal Mail is still the best postal option as post office staff and our local posties are good people
Will insert image of recipient payment required card from today
Kind regards

[Snaggletooth]

I would start by double checking your Post Office receipt, which states the weight and size that they entered in the system. A shoe box should normally be a small parcel, unless you have put excessive packaging round the outside.

And check that the weight entered is just over 1kg. It is rare, but always possible that your local PO has faulty scales.

[pt1231970]

Hi pal , thanks for the reply as it's genuinely appreciated and didn't think of checking receipts but all seemed good but have had more of the same surcharges over last few days and never had this happen over the years , have even had parcels returned as the intended receiver has refused to pay which is understandable
I have been using tracked 24/48 via sorting office for last few days until I could get into the post office to have a further chat and the only conclusion that can be had is that although the signed for system allows up to 2kgs for both 1st and 2nd if you don't have the precise weight on the label (even if it's only a 1.1kg parcel is 2kgs paid for label) then for some reason (probably a money making scheme in my eyes as within allowance) the "machine" in some central location flags it as a different weight regardless if it's within scope of paid rate and then slaps a fine .. sorry .. surcharge on it
I do tend to pre-pay labels at 1.1kgs as 99% are under 1kgs so well within range and helps the lasses in the post office as they are pushed as it is with shoestring staffing level
I am going to try posting some more parcels but just label them as 2kgs each and hopefully don't get a fine .. sorry .. surcharge for the parcel being lighter than claimed
Will see how it goes
Once again appreciate you taking the time to reply
Kind regards

[Snaggletooth]

... if you don't have the precise weight on the label (even if it's only a 1.1kg parcel is 2kgs paid for label) then for some reason (probably a money making scheme in my eyes as within allowance) the "machine" in some central location flags it as a different weight regardless if it's within scope of paid rate and then slaps a fine .. sorry .. surcharge on it

If Royal Mail are doing that then they can be prosecuted under the Weights and Measures act. And getting caught would represent a fundamental threat to their business, as they might have their licence removed. Which is why it seems unlikely.

I do tend to pre-pay labels at 1.1kgs as 99% are under 1kgs so well within range and helps the lasses in the post office as they are pushed as it is with shoestring staffing level
I am going to try posting some more parcels but just label them as 2kgs each and hopefully don't get a fine .. sorry .. surcharge for the parcel being lighter than claimed

Are you saying that you aren't weighing each parcel? Just sticking in an amount that you *think* will cover it?

[pt1231970]

Being honest pal the answer would be yes given that the labels are purchased via selling site under 1kgs - 2kgs weight allowance and as due to volume it's auto-completed at 1.1 kgs
I can guarantee that not one item sold or posted was anywhere near the 2kgs allowance
Maybe I have been naive and presumed because the paid for weight of up to 2kgs allowance as advertised on Royal Mail website meant anything within that scope was ok ... Clearly it has been for years but upon taking a "receiver refused to pay the surcharge " returned item into our regular post office and weighed it again at 1.130kgs and dimensions well within the only conclusions both ourselves and Royal Mails agent (P.O.) could come to was either Royal Mail somewhere centrally are raising funds or Royal Mail are pushing more for drop and collect as unlike the signed for drop at the post office service ..the track 24/48 service has in-depth tracking and removes a lot of overheads for Royal Mail ?
Like I said previously I genuine appreciate any thoughts via insight

[Snaggletooth]

You aren't going to get a lot of engagement on here. This is because you are accusing Royal Mail of fraud and breaking the law, which means that the many Royal Mail employees who post on here would be at risk of sacking under the charge of bringing their employer into disrepute. Which is part of standard employment law, not some unusual RM rule.

You should be weighing everything properly before sending it. Your accusations are meaningless unless you do this.