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sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 1:21 pm Post subject: new post prices are out

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/RoyalMail_OurPrices_April2013.pdf

I need to find a way to translate this into an update for the shop, under these new rules its size of parcel more than weight that will determine the price, and I've always quoted price based on total weight of order. Starting to think I may need to look at buying a load of boxes in two sizes to reflect 'small' and 'medium' parcels, and then work out what can be stuffed into each one.

I won't be the only small business scratching their heads over this one, the difference between ï¿½3 for a small and ï¿½5.65 for a medium parcel is a large one, and all it takes is for a parcel in its current biodegradable plastic envelope to wriggle and reshape itself and it means the next bracket up. Equally annoying, one plague rat for example will cost as much to post as a whole kilo of the beasties.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:29 pm Post subject:
At least the postage on the lead Nick is sending you will be cheap.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9878
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:36 pm Post subject:
thanks Sally gah. i bought new packaging last time..... sigh

earthyvirgo

Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 7972
Location: creating prints in the loft, Gerlan

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:41 pm Post subject:

vegplot wrote:

At least the postage on the lead Nick is sending you will be cheap.

or he might just pdf it and email it to you!

EV

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:44 pm Post subject:

earthyvirgo wrote:

vegplot wrote:

At least the postage on the lead Nick is sending you will be cheap.

or he might just pdf it and email it to you!

EV

Honestly, who can tell the difference?

sunnybankvines

Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 62

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:52 pm Post subject: pricing ramifications

hmmm... given the length of my parcels are 47cm to take good long vine cuttings and plants it will be going up from ï¿½2.70 to ï¿½5.65 if I read that correctly for what is 'medium' size parcel and usually under 250g.
That will be quite a hike in my single vine (inc pandp) to a UK address price...hmm. It might even pay to talk to our local courier at that rate.
thanks for putting the link up.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 2:55 pm Post subject:
parcel2go.com suggest prices for that from ï¿½2.50 + vat.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 4:24 pm Post subject:

Nick wrote:

parcel2go.com suggest prices for that from ï¿½2.50 + vat.

Plus they collect it too.

Also try https://www.myhermes1.co.uk/

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 13 4:26 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the link Sally. Im selling a lot of eggs through ebay - good to keep one step ahead.

powerjen

Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 44
Location: Argyll & Bute

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 12:47 pm Post subject:

I am completely confused by the new pricing structure. I am sure that the post office counters will be as confused as I am with all these different parcel sizes and what prices they should be. I'm lucky to have a rural post office a couple of miles away who I leave my parcels with and they process them when they're quiet but if you have to stand and queue in a large post office to send stuff this is just going to add to queues and slow processing times whilst staff figure things out.

Whilst couriers such as Hermes are good if you're happy for your items to take up to 5 days to get to their destination, there is nothing of comparable price via a courier of Royal Mail 1st class and if you have something that can't wait around like fertile eggs or plant cuttings then you're pretty much at the mercy of the Royal Mail.

I too have always done my shipping prices based on weight but I really need to sit down and see how this is going to affect things. At least they didn't put up the standard 1st and 2nd class stamp prices again. I think there would have been an outcry if they had. Meanwhile I'm off to try figure out how these size/price structures affect me!

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 1:01 pm Post subject:

I think, having looked at a box about the maximum size for the small parcel rate for a few hours now, that the way I'm going to have to do it is to keep the shop calculating by total weight (which is what most online shop sftware is designed to do) based on that size parcel, but put up the prices of items I know will fall into the next size bracket by a couple of quid to allow for the larger size. Its going to serve people ill if they buy multiples of a bulky item, but looking at the types of things it will include its not going to happen terribly often

Can't offhand think of a better way to do it at the moment

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 1:54 pm Post subject:

Typical that the prices change just as I start out. I ust confess to having been preocupied with the idea of costs for sending out heavier boxes. Body butter is surprisingly heavy. Particularly when presented in glass jars.
I was looking at the idea of a courier instead. It seems you need to be a buisness to use most companies. So perhaps I should register with one. I have no idea what is the best way forward though.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 1:59 pm Post subject:

the new rates will cover up to a kilo on one packet price, so you should be abel to send two or three jars for that.

If you havent already registered as a business, may as well do it now, then you can put against the books any of the development costs in these early stages. It doesnt matter that you arent making a profit yet, but you are spending money on samples, certification, equipment etc, so may as well log it all

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 2:01 pm Post subject:
Sorry I meant register with a courier service. Not very clear of me.

powerjen

Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 44
Location: Argyll & Bute

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 13 2:13 pm Post subject:

It seems to me as though the Royal Mail are trying to price themselves out of the market for parcel delivery. It is very annoying (personally speaking) that there is such a huge difference between a small parcel and a medium one depth wise. 8cm for small and 46cm for medium! I have tended to send my items out small orders in jiffy bags with the items bubblewrapped to within an inch of their lives. But none of these currently fit into the 8cm depth category. I think I'm going to have to get an 8cm deep box and see what I can fit in it. If I can't get 250ml toiletry bottles into them then I'll have to start sending everything via Hermes and tell customers their orders will take longer to get to them.

Sally, have you seen the small print at the bottom of the page which says that 16cmx16cmx16cm boxes are classed as 'small' parcels too? Wondered if this was any help to you?

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