Wednesday, August 16, 2006

So ...

I took my manuscript to the Post Office. After I'd carefully prepared it, double-checked everything six times, and taken out a bank loan.

To post it first class was £8.14; second wasn't much less so I said I'd go for first. Fine, until I said I wanted return postage as well. In fact, I wanted double return postage as the manuscript has to be sent from the co-ordinator to a reader and then back to me. The nice gentleman behind the counter started counting out stamps for the loonatic woman standing in front of him then he stopped and said, 'Ah, wait. New rules come in next Monday.'
'Yes, I know,' I said. 'That's why I wanted to get it posted before that.'
'But what about the return postage? It won't be enough and you will have to pay a fine.'

Pay a fine as well as being depressed by what the reader will say about my writing? (I am a born optimist!) I brought my parcel home with me.

Then I checked up on the Post Office website. Although prices and the way of charging are changing, according to my calculations, it won't be any more expensive to post my parcel after next Monday, so I can post it now.

If my calculations are correct.

I will take a chance and post it tomorrow. Unless Shirleen reads this and tells me I'm wrong.

3 comments:

Shirley said...

Aha! I think you are right Liz!
I'm assuming your packet is over 25mm thick, so it will go as a packet (as opposed to Large Letter).

I've just checked and calculated that your parcel weighs 2.250kg so the price will remain the same clever girl!

I think PO staff are panicking over the new pricing a bit!

Liz Hinds said...

That's what i thought, Shirleen, thank you!

MaryB said...

Yes, I've been reading about your post changes. Seems you've managed to make the system even more complicated than ours, and that takes a lot of work!

Good luck with the manuscript, Liz. Sooner or later, girl. Sooner or later . . .