Cost of posting CD's in the UK

Subject: Cost of posting Charity CD's in the UK
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:00 AM

I just went to the post office to send a parcel with 20 yellowbellies 2 cd's in it. I wanted to send them to CLIC Sargent for them to sell on their website as the proceeds go to them.

They Post Office wanted over £10 (for standard delivery and insurance worth £34 and no signature).

To insure for the saleable value £200 and have proof of delivery was well over £20.

This all sounds rather a lot to me. Does anybody have any knowledge in this area. All costs reduce the money going to Clic Sargent.

Is there a cheaper better company I can use?

Many thanks for any help.

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Marje
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:15 PM

I'm not sure you'e been given the most helpful information.

Check out the Royal Mail's website - for £4.75 you can send a packet weighing up to 500 grams, with £500 insurance, next day delivery , signed-for. Wouldn't that cover all your needs?

I think you've been misled. Try them again.

Oh, and a tip for anyone who doesn't need the insurance- it's now often cheaper to send two items like CDs or thin books as two Large Letters rather than one Packet, as long as you keep the packing fairly slim.

Marje

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:22 PM

It's cheaper to send two CDs packed on top of each other as a Small Letter than side by side as a Large Letter.

Given such Royal Mail logic, it's little wonder the posties are going on strike.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:30 PM

Marje
I had to pack the 20 CD's into a parcel box and with packing the whole lot came to over 2 kg.

I might finish up sending them 2 by 2 Diane

Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:33 PM

My PO charged me £10.35 for 50 cds as a parcel only last week.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM

I think that what they wanted to charge me wordy >>They Post Office wanted over £10 (for standard delivery and insurance worth £34 and no signature).
<<

Its the going over 2kg. It probably didn't make any differeence if you sent 20 or 50 in those circumstances.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 01:43 PM

While the circumstances likely are much different, in the US it's usually cheaper for packages over an ounce or two to use a "parcel delivery" service like UPS or FedEx, although there are cases where the postal (USPS) service is competitive.

Our experience has been that UPS is generally a bit cheaper for large packages (> 10 lb or so) and when "ground rate" is acceptable, with FedEx getting our business (usually) when a fast delivery is needed. Your mileage may vary, of course.

(I can't remember the last time one of the publishers we work with sent us manuscript materials via USPS.)

Most such services, at least in advertising here, represent themselves as being "international" in scope, so there should be services available in your area(?). They should have websites where you could check on what services are available quite easily, if they are in fact working your part of the world.

John

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 02:41 PM

Price seems about right for a 2kg+ parcel, with additional for insurance:
Royal Mail Parcels

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:28 PM

2 cds on top of one another would be too thick to go by small letter post. In fact so would one cd.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:48 PM

Well, it's OK at my PO. Maybe they just like me . . .

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Marje
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 05:21 AM

Agreed, Mrs Duck, the Royal Mail leaflet gives a max diameter of 5mm for a letter. Diane is obviously on cosy terms with her post office.

Or are we talking about CDs in a plastic slip-cover, not a "jewel case"?

Sorry I added to the confusion, Villan. It still might be worth splitting them into two packages, though, since the 2 kg threshold is so significant. Give it a try and do the maths.

I think you'll find Parcel Force much more expensive.

Marje

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 08:24 AM

May be worth reviewing This Recent Thread which discusses the savings to be made posting CDs/DVDs without their cases.

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 12:07 PM

I am going to have a chat with Clic Sargent and see if anybody is in my neck of the wood soon and pass them on that way.

Nigel, the problem is that they are saleable products and need the case and sleeve.

Thanks for all your help. I will keep you updated.

Les

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 04:36 PM

Trouble is Diane it may be ok at your post office but at the other end someone will be asked to pay excess postage plus handling charge of £1. This has happened to me twice now! Beware of sending cards with badges on too as same applies.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 07:19 PM

All post offices should have a rigid template for checking thickness and, in order to avoid any item attracting a surcharge further down the line, should use it where any item might be borderline. Make sure that they do, or you may pay too little (and risk the recipient having to pay extra) or too much.

We don't know exactly how heavy the packet was; assuming that it was between 2000 and 2250 grammes, then first class rate ought to be be £7.25; additional increments of 250 grammes being charged at 75p. Recorded delivery costs an additional 70p per item; offhand I don't know about insurance or 'compensation' rates for first class post, though the cost (as opposed to resale price) of modest items is usually refunded without question in the event of loss, provided you can prove it was actually posted.

Standard Parcel (usually considerably slower) has wider weight bands, so anything between 2kg and 4kg would cost £8.24; insurance up to £250 is a further £2.25, giving a total price of £10.49. Since the introduction of pricing in proportion ten months ago, there are a fair few cases where it's actually cheaper to send items as first class packets than as standard parcels. Frequently, people don't appreciate this anomaly and wind up paying more than they need to. Some Post Office Counters staff may point out the various options to you, while others may only answer the question you actually ask them.

'Is there a cheaper better company?' No, not really. The private companies are mainly interested in the lucrative business mailing contracts, while the Royal Mail has a statutory 'social' obligation that the competition doesn't. Ordinary 'domestic' mail, delivered to any address in the UK no matter how remote, costs, on average, more to process and deliver than the rates actually charged. The 'social' service is subsidised from the profitable bulk contracts. As private competitors (which are allowed to undercut, while the Mail is not) cream off more and more of these, it will become progressively harder to sustain the traditional universal service.

The situation in the USA is completely different, so not really relevant to this discussion.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 02:41 AM

Malcolm, thanks for your input.

Subject: RE: Cost of posting CD's in the UK
From: Goldengob
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 10:21 AM

I've found the same thing as Diane - it's more expensive than a letter but if you post 2 CDs on top of each other they charge 98 pence and side by side a la Amazon they will charge you £1.70