17 December 2007 Media Release

BBC and Trading Standards survey finds overcharging
problems at Scottish Post Offices

SCOTSS, the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in 
Scotland, and BBC Scotland today released the results of a
survey into the new postal pricing system where letters and
packages are priced by size as well as weight.

Last year Royal Mail introduced a new pricing structure that
moved from the traditional method of charging for letters 
and packages by weight only, to a system where both the size
AND weight are the determining factor in working out the 
price of postage. At the time there was some concern that 
the new system might be confusing for some customers.

South Ayrshire Trading Standards Officers recently checked 
the new pricing regime in their area. 
Using accurate weighing and measuring equipment, Officers 
constructed six items of 3 different sizes including a letter
a large letter and a packet. Ensuring beyond doubt that they 
matched the guide provided by the Post Office for working out
the price for postage, the items were then posted 5 times at
different Post Offices throughout the entire area. 

In total, the price for postage should have been £37.00 but 
in reality the cost for posting the 30 packages was £47.76, 
a fairly hefty overcharge of £10.76 (29%). 

So BBC Scotland's investigations unit got together with 
trading standards and came up with a strategy to test the 
new system.
Trading standards in Glasgow and Dundee made up letters, 
large letters and packets to exact specifications of height
weight and size that were within the .

Using secret filming the BBC randomly targeted post offices 
in Glasgow in a variety of areas - in one branch a large 
letter which should have cost 98p was charged at £1.84 - 
almost double.

In Dundee, officers submitted letters and all failed the 
test - with an over-charge of 67%.

So out of the 41 Post Offices tested by BBC and trading 
standards, 27 of them over-charged.

A Post Office spokesman said:
"We certainly would like to reassure the public we do 
everything we can to ensure that the correct charge is 
put onto their mail,"



Further information on trading standards and weights and measures 
is available from local Trading Standards services which can be 
found through the SCOTSS website www.scotss.org.uk


ENDS

Note to Editors

SCOTSS is the professional body which represents trading standards 
services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It coordinates 
fair trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country.
As a section of the Trading Standards Institute its purpose is to 
promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members 
in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses 
and targeting rogue traders.