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Beginning of the end for 2 tier postal service?

A forum for our Mail Centre, Processing and Distribution colleagues.
hubbahubba
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 1045
Joined: 24 Jun 2009, 22:02
Gender: Female

Beginning of the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by hubbahubba »

I know weve just come back from a bank holiday weekend,but the increase in 2c since the price increases is mad!
Early shift failed big time the first 2 days of last week,and today was even worse!Almost like the start of pressure.
I give it 3-5years maximum before we change to one "standard" delivery tariff,and if you want it there next day SD or Tracked will be your only choice.RM would save a fortune in MC's.They could do away with the early shift for starters,and cut down on the other two shifts.
Not looking great! :roll:
Last edited by hubbahubba on 09 May 2012, 17:28, edited 1 time in total.
same as it ever was...
Lounge Lizard
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 9458
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by Lounge Lizard »

hubbahubba wrote:I know weve just come back from a bank holiday weekend,but the increase in 2c since the price increases is mad!
Eaely shift failed big time the first 2 days of last week,and today was even worse!Almost like the start of pressure.
I give it 3-5years maximum before we change to one "standard" delivery tariff,and if you want it there next day SD or Tracked will be your only choice.RM would save a fortune in MC's.They could do away with the early shift for starters,and cut down on the other two shifts.
Not looking great! :roll:
If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
fishtank
Posts: 19732
Joined: 28 Sep 2007, 17:22
Gender: Male

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by fishtank »

Not going to happen.
2nd is price capped,1st is not.
This was the only way that the Government would allow RM to set their own prices.
2nd class is Royal Mail's version of Freeview TV.
What will happen is that the service standards for the second tier "council telly" version of sending a letter will be adjusted....downwards.
good times, bad times you know I've had my share
hubbahubba
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 1045
Joined: 24 Jun 2009, 22:02
Gender: Female

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by hubbahubba »

Lounge Lizard wrote:
hubbahubba wrote:I know weve just come back from a bank holiday weekend,but the increase in 2c since the price increases is mad!
Eaely shift failed big time the first 2 days of last week,and today was even worse!Almost like the start of pressure.
I give it 3-5years maximum before we change to one "standard" delivery tariff,and if you want it there next day SD or Tracked will be your only choice.RM would save a fortune in MC's.They could do away with the early shift for starters,and cut down on the other two shifts.
Not looking great! :roll:
If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
Because,you have 24hrs to get a 1c item to its destination,but 3 days to get (or more),to get a 2c item there.
same as it ever was...
Lounge Lizard
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 9458
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by Lounge Lizard »

hubbahubba wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:
hubbahubba wrote:I know weve just come back from a bank holiday weekend,but the increase in 2c since the price increases is mad!
Eaely shift failed big time the first 2 days of last week,and today was even worse!Almost like the start of pressure.
I give it 3-5years maximum before we change to one "standard" delivery tariff,and if you want it there next day SD or Tracked will be your only choice.RM would save a fortune in MC's.They could do away with the early shift for starters,and cut down on the other two shifts.
Not looking great! :roll:
If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
Because,you have 24hrs to get a 1c item to its destination,but 3 days to get (or more),to get a 2c item there.
So why's it a problem if you have longer to get it there ? :crazy:
Budfrog
Posts: 893
Joined: 11 Sep 2007, 02:19

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by Budfrog »

Lounge Lizard wrote:If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
Depending upon the individual Mail Centre's workplan 2c can actually cost more to process than 1c (eg if it is processed on the Outward night shift rather than the early shift) plus there is additional workload to put 2c into temporary storage.
Lounge Lizard
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 9458
Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by Lounge Lizard »

Budfrog wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
Depending upon the individual Mail Centre's workplan 2c can actually cost more to process than 1c (eg if it is processed on the Outward night shift rather than the early shift) plus there is additional workload to put 2c into temporary storage.
I sort of understand, but logically for second class mail good management should be able to choose the cheapest shift during the the available longer timespan, and if puting 2c into temporary storage is just shoving a few yorks up the corner this shouldn't amount to much additional workload.
SpacePhoenix
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 12098
Joined: 12 Nov 2008, 17:03
Gender: Male

Re: Beginning of the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by SpacePhoenix »

I wouldn't be surprised if eventually the larger MCs will take all the 2C from the smaller MCs (wherever it doesn't already happen), Bristol for example as they've got that packet sorting machine
Budfrog
Posts: 893
Joined: 11 Sep 2007, 02:19

Re: Beginning od the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by Budfrog »

Lounge Lizard wrote:
Budfrog wrote:
Lounge Lizard wrote:If the price increase has caused an increase in Second Class, and presumably a corresponding reduction in First Class, why should that be a problem as surely it's still the same volume of mail ?
Depending upon the individual Mail Centre's workplan 2c can actually cost more to process than 1c (eg if it is processed on the Outward night shift rather than the early shift) plus there is additional workload to put 2c into temporary storage.
I sort of understand, but logically for second class mail good management should be able to choose the cheapest shift during the the available longer timespan, and if puting 2c into temporary storage is just shoving a few yorks up the corner this shouldn't amount to much additional workload.

Some MCs are trying to cease the Early Shift altogether so the only option for 2c is on night's - this was the plan at Greenford a couple of years back (pre-HCN).

Workload to temporary storage (dependant on distance) is not insignificant of growth streams such as large packets.
peterhazell
Posts: 43
Joined: 02 May 2010, 07:32
Gender: Male

Re: Beginning of the end for 2 tier postal service?

Post by peterhazell »

1c or 2c in our office doesnt matter anyway! 1c next day more like next week if you are lucky; next day delivery is sd and thats it.