Royal Mail removing bpl, which is now the best postage option for large letters
Hi
I have received a letter today from Royal Mail informing me that i need to move my shipping from OBA/BPL to barcoded versions.
Having just looked at the frequently asked questions on the Royal Mail website it would appear that i cannot simply print the barcodes on labels and stick them on, but have to print them direct onto envelopes.
All my orders are sent in grey plastic mailing bags as envelopes are not suitable.
How have other sellers dealt with this and has anyone got any advice regarding which Royal Mail postage option would be best for me. Over 90% of my mail is 1st class large letter.
Thanks
Royal Mail removing bpl, which is now the best postage option for large letters
Hi
I have received a letter today from Royal Mail informing me that i need to move my shipping from OBA/BPL to barcoded versions.
Having just looked at the frequently asked questions on the Royal Mail website it would appear that i cannot simply print the barcodes on labels and stick them on, but have to print them direct onto envelopes.
All my orders are sent in grey plastic mailing bags as envelopes are not suitable.
How have other sellers dealt with this and has anyone got any advice regarding which Royal Mail postage option would be best for me. Over 90% of my mail is 1st class large letter.
Thanks
22 replies
Seller_y7wlA8Npjq1Or
What system do you use for your labels? DMO or CLICK & DROP
Seller_y7wlA8Npjq1Or
This is what i was looking for UNG is new code
Seller_wqciCXuQbNS4p
Use SU1. This allows you to send either 24 or 48, without barcode, parcel, letter or large letter.
Seller_bdSdLjti4IugQ
Yes I got this letter in the post today as well… The letter is really unclear what they mean but after e-mailing them today they responded back saying this is for OBA customers only… if your using click and drop it will remain the same… I would recommend trying click and drop as it’s a very straight forward system, works very well with Amazon and you can continue to print onto thermal labels and stick them to your bags.
Seller_OEOzKaOzBacUi
Thanks for all the replies. Is click and drop tracked 24 and 48 and would i have to buy through Amazon. I have contacted Royal Mail but have not had a reply yet.
Thanks
Joanna
Seller_FZLmkAPnHuV4L
I use the barcodes on large letters (Stick them on with a sticker) but frequently they don’t scan so I get fined 3p per letter (ie, back to the normal rate). It only seems to work on normal letters and even then not all the time. I don’t print straight onto letter or large letter, just use a sticker
Seller_K8edOfPu9HEmN
Like us you’ll have to migrate to click and drop, You still have the option of BPL/BPR but there is also CRL24 and CRL48. Once you get used to it it works pretty well although there are issues with averaging the weights out. Looks like that option will also get axed in the near future.
BPL/BPR are being phased out in the near future. I did hear that DMO is also on its way out all this happens around March next year
Seller_5ia3Q2YxXVCxe
OBA vs Click and Drop
We use OBA at the moment, with the BPL code for Large letters and parcels, mainly 2nd class.
BPL is non tracked. It will be RETIRED from service next year allegedly.
SU1 is untracked cheaper alternative, but will not be offered unless you have a pressing need as it is untracked.
Click and Drop 48 and 24 hour is the only real alternative but it is onerous even though it integrates with Amazon (and about 6 other platforms).
Just had 2 hours of the rep from RM showing me how to use it. It is cheaper (about 60p for packets upto 2kg) and it is VAT able so if you are not VAT registered then its little difference.
Unfortunately all orders need to be tracked so the printing of the postage label is not generic, and has to match the address. so… you cant print your order onto pre-printed postage label sheets as we currently do - and you CANT (get this) CAN NOT generate the postage without knowing the weight and the format - which we don’t know until we pack the order. so you cant print an integrated address, postage and packing list without knowing that info.
How crap is that!
The system DOES enable you to put weight and format against stock items, so if you only get standard items you can sort that - which is a bonus, but all weights include packaging, so orders with multiple items can cause difficulty.
You cant edit the packing slips to include any business info, returns etc, and the address label is 6x4 inches and cant be changed. so that eats up HALF an A4 sheet.
I will run with it for a while, see how it does. I don’t have many orders as we are predominantly B2B wholesale.
The point is they want a tracked service as standard - FINE, but at least make a system that allows you to print the postage lables with tracking and THEN allow you to add weights afterwards. Its an averaged weight service so it could easily be done.
One advantage - as its an average weight service, you can manually decide what items to group together to ensure your average is in the lowest possible bracket - essentially you can game the system if you can be bothered. and RM are fine with that - they specifically said that was OK to do!
e.g. 20 items at 99g and one item at 249g = average 106g so you pay the 100-250g price on all 21 items
pack the 99g ones in one batch, you pay the 1-100g price, and the 101-250g price on only 1 item.
OK, not much for that scenario, but scale it up and you can drop price bands by putting specific items in with other low weight items to get the best average weight.
Swings and Roundabouts I guess - but I really wanted to play on the Climbing Frame…
Seller_vWOZzBGhnkxzM
If you push royal mail they will allow you to use SU1, I had the same problem but as soon as they looked at the monthly spend they changed their mind. Keep pushing them.
Seller_OEOzKaOzBacUi
As the dead line is approaching to stop using BPL,
i was assured by Royal Mail i could use the new UNG / UNH codes.
I have been sent the art work from Royal Mail and was already to stat with the new codes today.
However when speaking to a different rep from Royal Mail earlier was told i should not use the labels on the poly bags after all.
So back to click and drop.
What i would like to know from those using click and drop is do you still get discounted prices. Looking at the Royal Mail website the prices are the same as what i would pay if i just take my post to the post office. I currently pay 75p second class large letter with the code BPL. Click and drop will be 83p.
I was also told i cannot use SU1.
As always thanks for all your help.
