Why you need to be a maths genius to post a parcel

[the deliverer]

Why you need to be a maths genius to post a parcel

BBC News 10 October 2014 by Brian Milligan Personal Finance reporter

In the world of parcel post - as in other areas of human activity - size is critical.

But just when consumers may have got used to the new size criteria introduced by Royal Mail in April 2013, shapes and prices are about to change.

Two old types of "small" are out, and a "new small" will be introduced from 20 October.

Prices for the old "larger small" will be temporarily reduced - until 18 January 2015.

And the complexities get worse.

If you chose to use a rival operator, the size and weight criteria are all different.

Not to mention volumes - some operators measure in litres and some in cubic centimetres.

Do you also know the technical difference between a letter, a packet and a parcel?

If you are planning to post a present this Christmas, it is advisable to be good at maths, or at least go shopping with a tape measure and a pair of weighing scales.

[britwrit]

You slash prices but, nope. Nobody is ever happy.

[Budfrog]

Working out the price is not nearly as complicated as selecting a reliable carrier that offers the best value for money for the service that you require.

[Lounge Lizard]

Working out the price is not nearly as complicated as selecting a reliable carrier that offers the best value for money for the service that you require.

Most difficult is selecting a reliable carrier that doesn't routinely deliver to any neighbour that might be at home.

[Patrick301]

i posted one last week and found the process was quite straight forward
i walked to the post office (it took me 5 minutes)
i said to asian man behind a glass counter i would like to post this parcel please
he said to me put it on the scale
so i put it on the scale
he said to me that will cost two pounds eighty pence for second class
so i got £2.80 out of my pocket
he took the money off me and lifted a flap up
i was then able to give the parcel to him
2 days later and 85 miles away the parcel was delivered by a colleague of mine that i have never met