Royal Mail parcel services must have barcode

[Mr D]

Hello...2 years later.

We use OBA and have done for years and in a similar situation to Jessie77 and Bharris above in the way we print pick lists and batch print onto integrated labels.

Nothing really came of the barcode situation in terms of it being forced onto us, however, we recently had a letter talking about a withdrawal of one of the products we use in favour of a barcoded product. The letter is still as vague as the ones we recieved in 2016 and I wonder if many people have adopted barcodes in the meantime, especially using the API?

We would have to spend money integrate the API into our current and hope that it does not slow us down too much as we send hundreds of letters/parcels a week in a very streamlined and efficient manner.

I would rather hear from people who use it rather than talk to RM themselves as they are not a gerat help at the best of times.

We've been using click and drop all month. Can see at a glance the label has been scanned and parcel delivered. Here's what it shows for one random order from earlier this month. Normal 2nd class mail delivery for a parcel, no extra services.


Royal Mail
Status:

AcceptedIn transitDelivered

DELIVERY RECORDED

Jul-12-18, 13:59 PM

We sell via ebay and the data is pulled across automatically then we pick from a list of services which one to tick to apply.
International have international options to click, domestic has domestic services. CRL48 still does average weight, still billed to credit account.
I print label, apply to item, put packing note in and seal. Not doing in bulk yet as usually not bulk numbers.

 

[DanH]

Thanks, so it has benefits

 

[Mr D]

Thanks, so it has benefits

Haven't had a claim of INR since starting it so no idea how that would work with ebay. I know how it would work with me.

 

[Jessie77]

What was the product as we use CRL codes and these have been replaced by the SU1 which comes up as non barcoded item but nothing else has changed as far as I am aware we have had no letter x

 

[Jessie77]

With click and drop though do you not have to take it to the post office though for it to be scanned ? We have a collection so would not work if so

 

[DanH]

It is a bit vague when it says "...we will be withdrawing one or more of the letter products you currently use..." which could mean STL, SU1/SU2 that we use...

 

[Jessie77]

They are just replacing the codes thats all like they do now and again not that you have to have a barcode.We have been using the SU1 code now for a month it just comes up 24/48 No barcode thats all

 

[Mr D]

What was the product as we use CRL codes and these have been replaced by the SU1 which comes up as non barcoded item but nothing else has changed as far as I am aware we have had no letter x

RM told us to use CRL when the account was finally opened start of this month and we have been using it without problems and without anyone from RM saying different.

It was a figurine. Resin, moulded, painted etc.

 

[Mr D]

With click and drop though do you not have to take it to the post office though for it to be scanned ? We have a collection so would not work if so

No.
We pack the boxes / envelopes into sacks and take them to post office with paperwork - drop the sacks off in the designated corner, queue up with paperwork. By the time I get home the items have been marked as sent by RM.

 

[DanH]

sorry, it says in full:

"...we will be withdrawing one or more of the letter products you currently use and replacing with a new barcoded product."

 

[Jessie77]

No.
We pack the boxes / envelopes into sacks and take them to post office with paperwork - drop the sacks off in the designated corner, queue up with paperwork. By the time I get home the items have been marked as sent by RM.

We have free collection

 

[Jessie77]

RM told us to use CRL when the account was finally opened start of this month and we have been using it without problems and without anyone from RM saying different.

It was a figurine. Resin, moulded, painted etc.

You need to look on Royal Mail
Old code Old service name New code New service name
CRL Royal Mail 24/48 SU1 RM 24/48 Daily Rate No Barcode
RM1 Royal Mail 24 (LL) Daily Rate
RM2 Royal Mail 24 (P) Daily Rate
RM3 Royal Mail 48 (LL) Daily Rate
RM4 Royal Mail 48 (P) Daily Rate

PPF Royal Mail 24/48 (P) Flat Rate SU2 RM 24/48 Flat Rate No Barcode
PK9 Royal Mail 24 (LL) Flat Rate
PK0 Royal Mail 48 (LL) Flat Rate

 

[Jessie77]

sorry, it says in full:

"...we will be withdrawing one or more of the letter products you currently use and replacing with a new barcoded product."

But what codes are you using now?

 

[deniser]

Same here - they told us on the phone that we can carry on using OBA. The only thing that has changed is that we have been told to use code SU1 instead of CR1 for 24/48 parcels. But the old codes are still working anyway.

 

[Mr D]

You need to look on Royal Mail
Old code Old service name New code New service name
CRL Royal Mail 24/48 SU1 RM 24/48 Daily Rate No Barcode
RM1 Royal Mail 24 (LL) Daily Rate
RM2 Royal Mail 24 (P) Daily Rate
RM3 Royal Mail 48 (LL) Daily Rate
RM4 Royal Mail 48 (P) Daily Rate

PPF Royal Mail 24/48 (P) Flat Rate SU2 RM 24/48 Flat Rate No Barcode
PK9 Royal Mail 24 (LL) Flat Rate
PK0 Royal Mail 48 (LL) Flat Rate

Any particular part? Its a big company with a big site.
Same perks / benefits using the different codes?

 

[DanH]

But what codes are you using now?

STL, SU1/SU2 currently for letters specifically....

 

[DanH]

So I take it that in the interm no one has integrated the API to solve this (still) pending problem? I might, again, sit this out until it becomes enforced. They do say in the letter:

"We're working through the detail right now and I'll write to you again soon to set out when the changes will come into effect. I'd like to reassure you we will give you plenty of time to prepare to switch to the new products and our team will support you throughout."

which could mean next week, month, years...who knows?

 

[Mr D]

STL, SU1/SU2 currently for letters specifically....

Had a look on my list of services when doing parcels this morning.
SU codes isn't on my list. I have BPL, CRL, STL as usual.

Perhaps its being rolled out to some accounts then later to others.

 

[Julie Knight]

Any decent integrated order management system will create RM labels for in the correct format with barcodes, tracking etc. Our feedback from customers who have moved to the 4x6 RM labels has been wholly positive - far fewer problems, fewer items going missing, smoother process flow.

 

[DanH]

Can you use smaller labels? 4 x 6 is bigger than a few of the boxes we use to send items.

 

[Julie Knight]

6" x 4" is the Royal Mail format as they are designed to be printed via 4" wide thermal printers , or integrated into A4 sheets. I do know what you mean though, and would really like RM to create some smaller formats. We have customers who, like yourself, have smaller packages and it's awkward to fit the labels onto them.