Cost of postage stamps is a write turn-off

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opini ... 46157.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It has just dawned on me that it will cost me 50p to send each Christmas card this year.
No wonder so many people are talking about not sending any.

I understand why the Royal Mail has to charge this amount during the year, as many people now communicate by e-mail and it must be difficult to make the postal service pay.

But would it not be a good idea for them to reduce the second-class mail to 25p or 30p for Christmas - even if they reduce the weight to say, 60g? Presumably, they will have extra staff employed, anyway.

I feel the public would be more inclined to send cards if the price was reduced and the Post Office would get great publicity from it.

LIZ STEWART

Portrush, Co Antrim

[blackadder]

you never make a dim coming up with good ideas like that

[jokerman1]

If the amount of cards sent would then double /the Royal Mail would get the same money /but the poor postie would have double the work// thanks a lot
But if you would then say they should double the cost of packets and parcels /they might then half the volume /royal mail would still get the same money /but postie would have half the work/thanks a lot
both will never happen in the real world

[Lounge Lizard]

"even if they reduce the weight to say 60g"
Most cards weigh about 20g so it makes no difference if the weight limit is 60g or 100g. and the great majority of letters are below 60g too, the limit being increased to 100g a few years ago to compensate for the higher rates for the new Large Letters.

[demon]

well try telling that to the f****r to stop sending them today all mail boxes full and my round today was rammed with cards

[Sharkeyes]

What Royal Mail is gambling with from the price increases is competition that WILL come from dissolusioned posties with Richard Branson mind set.
Take Northern Ireland 4 example. Why should a local to local card cost the same ad one sent over the water?
It's a free market now. Give it time, the USO is doomed.

[pcb]

No one is going to deliver mail if they can't make a profit that's why TNT and the like are cherry picking the best areas for end to end delivery. Don't worry joe public will only take notice when they have to go to a pick up point controlled by a private company! Sleep walking into oblivion and worried about social mail when the money is made from packets!

[Judgee]

Can't say I've noticed a drop in Xmas cards so far. Still plenty of time for people to send them yet and still getting hundreds to deliver even now?

I do think it might be an idea for RM to come up with some scheme to discount cards over Xmas. I know there's that one where pensioners can get stamps at 2010/11 prices but they could come up with something simpler. Maybe a discounted Xmas stamp that can only be used for cards and only in December? Let's face it, it would be good for RMs image and we need all the help we can get after destroying a perfectly good service in the name of profit!

[mr ford]

Can't say I've noticed a drop in Xmas cards so far. Still plenty of time for people to send them yet and still getting hundreds to deliver even now?

I do think it might be an idea for RM to come up with some scheme to discount cards over Xmas. I know there's that one where pensioners can get stamps at 2010/11 prices but they could come up with something simpler. Maybe a discounted Xmas stamp that can only be used for cards and only in December? Let's face it, it would be good for RMs image and we need all the help we can get after destroying a perfectly good service in the name of profit!

and in tesco your shopping could be cheaper because after all its xmas i dont think so

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can't say I've noticed a drop in Xmas cards so far. Still plenty of time for people to send them yet and still getting hundreds to deliver even now?

I do think it might be an idea for RM to come up with some scheme to discount cards over Xmas. I know there's that one where pensioners can get stamps at 2010/11 prices but they could come up with something simpler. Maybe a discounted Xmas stamp that can only be used for cards and only in December? Let's face it, it would be good for RMs image and we need all the help we can get after destroying a perfectly good service in the name of profit!

and in tesco your shopping could be cheaper because after all its xmas i dont think so

Umm - well - uhhh - Yes

Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons all do special Christmas deals. Judgee is not saying we do everything cheaply - far from it, he is suggesting that a high volume item such as celebration cards be discounted. It works for the Supermarkets, if planned and marketed correctly it could be a winner for Royal Mail.

[mr ford]

Can't say I've noticed a drop in Xmas cards so far. Still plenty of time for people to send them yet and still getting hundreds to deliver even now?

I do think it might be an idea for RM to come up with some scheme to discount cards over Xmas. I know there's that one where pensioners can get stamps at 2010/11 prices but they could come up with something simpler. Maybe a discounted Xmas stamp that can only be used for cards and only in December? Let's face it, it would be good for RMs image and we need all the help we can get after destroying a perfectly good service in the name of profit!

and in tesco your shopping could be cheaper because after all its xmas i dont think so

Umm - well - uhhh - Yes

Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons all do special Christmas deals. Judgee is not saying we do everything cheaply - far from it, he is suggesting that a high volume item such as celebration cards be discounted. It works for the Supermarkets, if planned and marketed correctly it could be a winner for Royal Mail.

ok they could get them cheaper if they spent a minimum of 30 pounds on stamps

[TeeferTiger]

If they're on Pension credit, ESA or IB etc they can buy the stamps at last years prices.

http://www.royalmail.com/services/perso ... tmas-offer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mr ford]

If they're on Pension credit, ESA or IB etc they can buy the stamps at last years prices.

http://www.royalmail.com/services/perso ... tmas-offer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the investigation branch get them at last years prices lol

[TeeferTiger]

If they're on Pension credit, ESA or IB etc they can buy the stamps at last years prices.

http://www.royalmail.com/services/perso ... tmas-offer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the investigation branch get them at last years prices lol

:-p

[FairyFoot]

I think Tesco, or one of the other big supermarkets, have had discounts on stamps (and mobile phone top-ups) occasionally.