Potential Wedding Invite Postage Disaster

shuffles03

Long story short,

We brought the majority of our wedding invites to the post office on Friday morning. Each invite was envelope size, had the standard 68c stamp (custom wedding stamp from the GPO), and each contained an RSVP with mini envelope and return stamp. We also put a strip of fabric around the invite and RSVP to tie it all together before sealing the envelopes.

Anyways, I brought all the invites to the post office counter, the lady brought me over to the hatch at the end and took them all in. Before she did, I explained what they were and also asked her to double check that the postage was correct. She picked one up, said " Oh God Yeah these are fine", weighed one, confirmed they were ok and then took them all in.

All invites were locally bound apart from 5 which she charged me an additional €1.50 in total to add the extra to each.

All seems good so far. Anyways, yesterday morning we had another 5 to send out. We took these to our own local post office, explained what they were, explained that they were already stamped and handed them through. The lady took one look at the envelopes and said there wasn't enough postage. She said the envelope was thicker than envelope size due to the fabric inside. I explained that all our invites were actually sent out the day before and that I had checked with the post office to make sure everything was ok. Her response? "Ah well, sure they're gone now aren't they? Nothing you can do now", and then smiled.

We're freaking out here. Not sure what to do, if there is anything we can do at all.

The envelope size is perfect. The weight is way under so that's ok. It's just the thickness. Pretty pissed because I specifically asked at the post office before handing them over and was ready to add extra postage if necessary.

With regards the extra bulk due to the fabric; you can actually press it completely flat/flush with the rest of the contents. It's just that as it is indeed fabric, it bulges a little bit in the centre.

What's our best course of action? There is no return to sender address on the outside, our address is contained on the inside on the RSVP envelope.

Will they all be ripped open by the sorting office? Will all be delivered as they are the correct size and way under the designated weight? Will some be delivered but not all or will all be delivered with a manky 'not enough postage' stamp emblazoned across the front?

As they were dropped into the post office on Friday morning, they've definitely been dispatched. As far as I can see, my best bet would be to go to the sorting office (not sure which one).

Any advice?

AvonEnniskerry

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure they'll get there fine. But not that you'll be sending out anymore wedding invites but a return address wouldn't have been any harm to have on the envelope. Even if you were to get through to the sorting office they have no idea which are your invites

shuffles03

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

Honestly I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure they'll get there fine. But not that you'll be sending out anymore wedding invites but a return address wouldn't have been any harm to have on the envelope. Even if you were to get through to the sorting office they have no idea which are your invites

Would it be futile to drive to the sorting office first thing tomorrow morning?

elle.en

Don't worry, as long as they're not huge envelopes and if it's just a small bulge due to fabric, they'll be fine. I did casual work in a sorting office for a few years and this was never a problem.

shuffles03

elle.en wrote: »

Don't worry, as long as they're not huge envelopes and if it's just a small bulge due to fabric, they'll be fine. I did casual work in a sorting office for a few years and this was never a problem.

They were in C6 envelopes.

elle.en

shuffles03 wrote: »

They were in C6 envelopes.

They'll be fine so. Wedding invites are usually sorted manually rather than through the machines, so postage isn't usually questioned for these unless it's obviously very bulky or large.

dori_dormer

This has happened to me a few times when selling things. One post office worker will say one price one day, someone else will say I owe 2 euro more etc. once I just put the envelope In the mailbox with the lower postage.

They all got there in the end!

shuffles03

elle.en wrote: »

They'll be fine so. Wedding invites are usually sorted manually rather than through the machines, so postage isn't usually questioned for these unless it's obviously very bulky or large.

Cheers! The stamps we used weren't your average wedding stamps (we used the typical wedding stamps for the RSVP envelope. We put gaming icon stamps on the outside:

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/Mobile/About+An+Post/Media+Centre/Press+Releases/news-article?page=Game+Icons&year=2014

It sets the tone of who we are really. As they are not the 'Love' stamps etc, sorting office won't know. Would these be manually sorted too?

shuffles03

Cheers for all the reassuring replies so far. It's making what seems like the longest weekend in history a little shorter

Reati

If this makes you freak out you'll need a stiff drink in short. Wen I got married I can tell you for a absolute fact worse things are going to go wrong! No matter how much you plan or prepare, something always slips up!

In this case there is nothing to worry about. If the post office women took the post and said its fine, it'll be fine. I bet if you ask someone close you sent an invite too to confirm when they get it it will help relax you mind!

shuffles03

Cheers! You're absolutely right!

tarmon

I'll add my tuppence worth! The post office are usually very helpful and would only return envelopes if someone has taken the P*ss with the postage. Usually what they'll do is deliver it a day or too late if the correct postage hasn't been applied. Once I stupidly posted a job application form with no stamp at all and they actually delivered it!!
Worse case scenario they'll be a day or two delayed..well that's what I'd think.

Milly33

I would think don't worry about it, like said if the post man who delivers them is a stickler then they will open the letter and return I to you saying postage not enough. I would think they know what the invites are and would just deliver them, in fairness the irish postal system is very good.

BabysCoffee

They will be fine. They won't be weighed or assessed again - they will be with everyone within a few days.

Lima Golf

They'll be delivered no problem, once they've got past the first point ie the post office they won't be bothered with. Also there is zero point going to the processing office. They won't entertain you. The post belongs to an post until it is delivered. No one can touch it or interfere with it in transit.

streetcar

If you sent the majority of invites on Friday, people should be able to tell you if they got them today.
I would agree with above posters. I think you have nothing to worry about - although I do know that this is easier said than done.
An Post are generally excellent with their customer service and if you have been told that the envelopes are ok by a member of staff, I would trust them. Especially because the first lady weighed the envelope for you.

Let us know if there is an update.

shuffles03

Good news! They're all delivering! We even got two RSVPs back today! Bloody local post office and their unnecessary rant

Milly33

Yeah happy days!! Ah youll always get the odd grump or just generally moody one in the post office, but the post men/ladies I must say are great.... the best ever I would think..

Great to hear that they worked out now..

streetcar

Milly33 wrote: »

Yeah happy days!! Ah youll always get the odd grump or just generally moody one in the post office, but the post men/ladies I must say are great.... the best ever I would think..

Great to hear that they worked out now..

Completely agree. I sent an invitation to a friend who had just moved - my contact details were visible on the invite (in hindsight - a bit of a risky move!)
and the postman contacted me to say that the address I had given didn't exist (I mixed up the numbers) and they didn't recognise anyone with that name on the estate. Once I was able to double check the correct house number, he got back to me saying it was delivered.

I thought that this was such a kind thing to do when he really didn't have to do anything to help. It's things like this that make a difference!

Milly33

It is isn't it... One of the lads in work was saying the same when they moved house in a town they lived in. They got post at the old address and the post man went out of his way to deliver a couple of miles outside the village to them as he knew they had moved...