Large letter confusion!

[H1987]

Hi,

I'm very confused and frustrated over a recent issue with a large letter package. The package (polybag) had the following specs: 25cm width, 35cm length, 1cm depth, 85g weight so clearly qualified for a large letter stamp. However the recipient was charged a £3 postage fee because the stamp was supposedly inadequate for the package - how the heck is this possible??

Is there some unknown rule about specific packaging material? I couldn't find anything. If it helps, the recipient is based in Northern Ireland - any difference in such regulations over there? I've sent similar packages (perhaps 10-20g lighter) in the same packaging and stamp with no issues so this has really thrown me off.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Snaggletooth]

There is no difference in price for NI, Royal Mail are obliged to charge the same price (with same T&Cs) for the whole of the U.K. That's not just RM's policy, that's in the Universal Service Obligation, which is law. The only exception of sorts is Special Delivery by 9am which is not available to large swathes of Scotland & NI.

Size wise, your parcel was at the very limited of what is allowed for large letter. Could you have gone ever so slightly over? LL was designed around a standard C4 envelope, it's possible that your poly envelope is actually a tad larger than the dimensions printed. Might be worth taking a tape measure to one.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

What were the contents? if they had bunched up then it's also possible the thickness that's took it over the limit

[H1987]

Thanks for your replies.

The packaging is definitely within the limits even if just about - I even folded it smaller so there's no way it could have exceeded limits. The contents would not have bunched up as they were fairly rigid.

Seems to me just another case of RM's many cock-ups. Their own rules are too vague for them so the rest of us are paying the prices. Disgusting. I'll speak to them directly on Monday to confirm and if nothing, will be lodging a formal complaint.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

It is actually very rare that surcharges are applied incorrectly, they are manually checked and if they don't fit the plastic guides without forcing then they are not charged if however any force is needed for it to go through then you are correctly charged, and going by the sizes you have given and also saying you folded it I think ir was probably a jiffy to thick, out of interest did you just post it in a post box unchecked or did you post it in a post office where they are supposed to check all items?

[H1987]

Hi again,

I actually did use the post box for this one, yes. But I posted two identical packages off before that through the post office without a hitch - so what gives? Anyway, I'm looking into getting one of those RM letter templates now (had no idea they existed) - that should cut the guesswork out entirely and still save me endless trips to the PO, right?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

Yes if you use the plastic guide then you should be fine just remember to use an accurate set of scales also if it needs any assistance through the slots it's liable for a surcharge, ie if you can only get it through by forcing it then it's too big, it's either over or under in size there is no leeway given unfortunately, and that's possibly why if you sent two near identical packets on the size borderline a difference of just 2mm over the limit and it would be charged (even 1mm over) so even a fraction of a difference could have meant one got through and the other didnt

[Snaggletooth]

Anyway, I'm looking into getting one of those RM letter templates nowt?

I believe that RM customer services should be able to tell you about this (03457 740 740), I think they cost 20-30 £.