Yes, I saw something about that......I would have thought we get enough rubbish already!

Really Baz, the hermits have it the best way   

Why is everything advertisement driven these days? 

There are times when I would agree with you Sprout! Mind you, I get real miffed if I don't get any post

Why are they called "royal" mail?! Is it because the queen is on some of the stamps?

Fink so, Sweet 

Makes you wonder whether she does endorse it  

Cynical.............moi? 

 

I get heaps...pick them up in the hall and straight through to the recycle bin 

Me too Damesy..........just pisses me orf that they deliver in the first place. I even run to the door when anything drops through the letterbox in the hope of catching the culprit...........they must sprint down the street at friggin lightning speed cos they ain't never anywhere when I get to the door! 

It's called Royal Mail because it was established by Henry VIII and was owned by the crown.

My Dad died some years ago but he'd been a postman for many years. In those days you knew what time the post would arrive but also in those days you'd receive letters from friends or families, unlike today, unless it's  Birthday or Christmas cards but even they can be sent online now. It's a whole different way than my Dad's day...he even worked on Christmas morning!

ONE magazine and an Xmas card to USA = £9.40

Sprout, I'm a hermit and I still get it   Hermits have letter boxes you know 

Must have been a heavy mag Renton! Did you ask for printed paper rates? Rather like the BBC being the best TV in the world, our post is the same. Those of us who deal with Europe, North America, and the thieving so n sos in South Africa know well.

It was heavy but that price is crazy - i checked out others like UPS and DHL and they were MORE!!!

It was classed as a 'small package'.

 . . . which i have never been classed as .. haw haw haw

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Printed papers are the way to go.

I dunno wot you mean

I should have classed it as 'printed paper'?

The person serving sed it had to go as small package

 

I was gobsmacked to realise my friend in Latvia doesn't have parcels delivered.  They get a card to tell them to pick it up from the post depot 

The Royal Mail can trace its history back to 1516, when Henry VIII established a "Master of the Posts", a post which eventually evolved into the office of the Postmaster General.

(That's my lesson learned for the day)

Never include letters in small packets then they go as printed paper.

 

 

 

It's probably naughty but...

 

Whenever I get obvious junk mail, I scribble over my name and address, write on the envelope "return to sender" and stick it back in the postbox.

 

Currently there seems to be great confusion around what the different Royal Mail overseas rates mean and what you can and cannot send via them. This confusion, unfortunately extends to counter staff with differing advice/rates being quoted.

However, the rules ARE quite simple!

Think of it this way:-

There are three main overseas rates. They are : Letter, Small Packet and Printed Papers. Anything  can then be sent via Air (Plane) or Surface (Boat)...

But if you think of them, as 'Standard Rate", "Concessionary Rate 1" and "Concessionary Rate 2" then you are on the right lines!

It goes like this:-

Letter Rate (Otherwise known in our new world as Standard Rate) :- ANYTHING (Unless it is on the prohibited or restricted list either generally or specifically for the country you are sending to) and within the size limits  can be sent via letter rate. It does NOT have to have a letter in it! I am convinced that there is this notion in some peoples heads  that there letters weighing 2kgs are whizzing around the world !

Small Packet Rate (In our new world, just for this guide,  its now 'Concessionary Rate 1') -You can send  anything that is gifts, goods or commercial samples. You can also include a letter relating to the contents. This then would include everything  sold on Ebay..

Printed Papers (In our new world, just for this guide,  its now 'Concessionary Rate 2') - You can send  books, magazines, newspapers, leaflets and pamphlets abroad. You can include a letter relating to the contents.

 

Note:- The Size limits for all items sent by Royal mail International is the same whether the item is a Letter, Small Packet or Printed Paper. -Length, width, depth combined: 90cm  Greatest single dimension: 60cm

There is also a minimum size:-One surface at least 9cm x 14cm.

For items in the form of a roll:-Length plus twice diameter: 14cm  Length: 90cm (Minimum Length plus twice diameter: 17cm Greatest single dimension: 10cm)

So the question then becomes 'Why send anything 'Standard' (Letter) Rate if there are concessionary rates that seem to cover nearly everything?  Well,  In a few countries 'letters' are delivered before the 'small packets' say on a first delivery rather than a later one, but in general there is no difference in delivery time as the items travel in the same mail stream.

So, apart from where its cheaper to send an item letter rate (for items upto 40g to Europe and 80g Worldwide) , then make full use of the 'concessionary rates' !

If you  wish to send a 'Letter' -(thats a written one , not our 'Standard Rate') then I would suggest a Airletter ( Aerogram)... seperatly.

Also there are some  weights where the Small Packet rate is cheaper than the Printed Paper rate, in this case you could send the book as 'goods' and make use of that rate instead .

Markings - Items should be marked 'Small Packet' or ;'Printed Papers' as appropriate.

Blimey thats a mouf full 

I saw that idea suggested somewhere online some months ago. It's a good one because then they have to deal with their own junk instead of expecting others to

 

That's exactly my thought process while doing it YR 

They'll also realise they're wasting money on postage if everyone did it

 

Agreed. Let's spread the word Yellow Rose - Who's with us ????

Me but it's more fast food leaflets and stuff like that I get 

 

I have come home to some tonight. I leave them for a while, cut them in half and then return them to the sender when I pass their shop. 

Those are my favourites!! 

 

 I love menus.

Bundle it up and stuff it in someone's pre-paid REPLY envelope and send it off to them.

Amazon sell  a sign for your letterbox 1.99.

Here is the Royal Mail opt out site

http://www.stopjunkmail.org.uk..._to_door_opt_out.php