Anyone heard of this from Australia post

[almighty_auctions]

So i just got of the phone to Australia Post and I am absolutely gobsmacked I just got told that the items I post mainly little punchie packs should be sent as a parcel and not in a standard envelope which are apparently strickly for documents and letters has anyone else heard of this my items i send generally are not even that big they are tiny and a letter would be thicker .... They said I should be sending them as a parcel .... 

[brizzybee63]

I recently got sent something in those crappy yellow envelopes.  It had been torn by AP to obviously see inside and the envelope was marked with 'Underpaid - collected from Sender'.  I questioned why they got fined and charged extra, and found out that they sent in a paper envelope.  I have suggested to the seller that they start sending in the proper Shurtuff satchels or Padded Envelope and therefore these items should be still send at letter rate even though it is not paper.  Obviously the items that she was sending (pens) might have stuffed up the machinery as previously mention because could have torn through the paper packaging.

I send most of my items at letter rate and yet have been marked down for postage cost, so obviously people expect cheaper postage and you can't please everyone.  Also I could not justify adding $6 + to my items giving FREE POST but $1.20 is more appropriate.

[thecatspjs]

[/quote]

Well, I am just about to post small item with 3 x60c stamps; as a buyer what would you rather pay; $1.80 for envelope or $6.60 for parcel.  That is for $5 item.  For most people "professional" does not come into it.

[/quote]

As a buyer I expect a seller to send my purchase in the appropriate packaging that will withstand the perils of Australia Post processing ;-).

[digital*ghost]

IMHO it's 'professional' to know how to send an item in the safest and most cost-effective way (safety first, for a reason 😉 ), and half of it seems to be  presentation (when it comes to buyers, I mean). The majority of my items go in envelopes at the large letter rate, but I'm not talking about normal paper envelopes, I either use padded ones or the tough bags (which I still classify as an envelope and are very sturdy). Items are very carefully packaged to ensure no dislodgement etc. 

In regards to the OP, though, they were told that they should be sending flat paper objects as parcels, and there is no evidence to support that assertion on the AP website (just IMO, perhaps), so the issue may not be whether they should be sent in envelopes or not, but perhaps what kind. 

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

I send clothing.baby items (that are prepackaged in a tough plastic bag with a card in place to keep it shape)  in a tough bag with 2 stamps, they fit through the mail slot, and they always arrive within days rather then the weeks it can take for parcels,  so far my buyers have been very happy.     The other day I received two handmade hair clips,  they were packaged and taped between cardboard and in a regular envelope with 2 stamps,  I was happy with the purchase and the packaging made no difference to me.    I would not have paid 6 bux postage for a 3.50 hair clip.        As long as the item is packaged properly and fits through the measurement requirements of a large letter or letter,  why would a buyer want to pay 6 dollars .

[thecatspjs]

If the small/standard letter needs to have a level of "flexibility" like a document to get through whatever automated system they use for small/standard letter processing -  lots of material described by posters sound like they would have this flexibility and/or are sent as large letters/ other types of mailers, with a level of thought and care in their packaging, in any case.

I imagine that 9,999 things out of 10,000 (or even larger volumes) might make it through the processing process fine and unscathed, but the few small (standard) letters with stiff / rigid contents that may not easily flow through their system might cause slow downs to processing volume, other cost inefficiencies and/or risks to other letters - which may in turn to contribute to higher post costs for everyone or slower post processing.

[colic2bullsgirlore]

So i just got of the phone to Australia Post

I wonder if the Op rang australia post and questioned them regarding what could go in an envelope or iinstead that AP rang her with a warning and admonished her for sending stuff she should not in envelopes??

[i-once-was-bump]

The OP uses 140gsm card stock for her punchies.

That is a lot thicker than ordinary paper and it is stiff.

[rpatz_fan]

keep sending them as envelopes , just make sure they are well packaged and just buy stamps and put into post box yourself. so long as they dont exceed the allowed height and weight of an envelope then you will have no problems 

[pattypayne]

For what it is worth, my local Post Office people always say, no, it has to go as a parcel, then I go to the one in my mother's suburb which is a corporate Aussie Post and they gladly see if it will go through the slot thing to send as a large letter for cheaper. From this I learnt that if your local PO is privately run, they will try to push you to pay more regardless of whether or not it fits the dimensions. I just ask but the bags and ask them for the stamps now to save the hassle.

[greatfindoutlet]

I send few small clothes on an envelope but I have no complain from Australia post and customer have no problem except one.

But I still have to inquire Australia post about one of the item I sent because the customer said that she was charged extra $5.50 fee when she picked up the item.

I'm not sure if it's true or not 'cause when I asked her for the receipt or copy or even send the pics well, she can't provide me anything. I didn't hear from her since then.  After 2 weeks she replied for refund of the $5.50.

Anyway, tomorrow I will call Australia post to find out if it's true..