Hi *crikey*mate & chezzy,   I can certainly understand where you are coming from. I’m really sorry for the disappointment that removal of our discretionary cover has caused.   The new product set which was introduced on 8 April has been introduced with a high consideration on customer feedback. Our aim is making it simpler for our customers to send parcels within Australia. It has designed to offer our customers greater flexibility and choice over their parcel delivery service.   Customers can now follow a simple 3-step process for sending parcels; including:   1. Choose your speed (Same Day, Next Day or Regular) 2. Select your size 3. Add your features (eg Extra Cover for Loss and Damage, Signature on Delivery, Track Advice)   The reason we are offering these features are so that our customers have the option to select the postage and service that will meet their requirements for the specific parcel they are sending.   Kind regards,   Mel Australia Post

Generally speaking, my only requirement is that my letter/parcel, once payed for and accepted by AP is delivered to the addressee in a similar condition to that which I entrusted it to them and within a reasonable time frame.

That sounds about as simple as it gets for me.

The question is whether the service offered with Standard Postage meets this requirement.

If not, what is the point of offering that service?

Why not just rip the stitches and 'fess up and admit that the real cost of delivering your letter/package in a timely manner to the addressee, in the condition it was entrusted it to AP is this really large amount $xxxxx, instead of disguising it through a series of additional extras.

That's about what it amounts to, isn't it?

Fair enough, charge extra for a speed faster than that which is reasonable, but to charge extra for a guarantee that it will be delivered to the addressee in a safe manner in the condition sent  just seems a bit deceptive to me.