Royal Mail postage update

[robbtyke132010]

Does anyone know if Royal Mail have updated their policy on "underpaid" items using a first class stamp? Before the latest round of price increases Royal Mail would happily accept a first class stamp as payment for a second class service. However in the last few days my buyers are being charged an extra £1.50 for underpayment when I use a first class stamp even though I write 2nd class over & under the stamp. Because the difference for a large letter stamp between first & second is so great I have  used this method for the last 3 years selling low value items like CDs & DVDs - I have a huge stock of first class stamps I bought before the last price increase and never had a problem before.

[vinylscot]

As all the stamps you are using now will have the barcode on them, they will be treated as though they had been intended to be used for the service they cover. Almost everything is automated; it makes no difference what you write; nobody will see that, and the automated systems will only scan the barcode. If your package is too heavy for the first class service, you will be charged for underpayment. 

To a certain extent, it's "swings and roundabouts" for you - every package which is below the limit will be treated as a first class delivery, so you're getting a better service than you expect with these ones (although you have paid for it)