In the digital era and online delivery bookings, there are more people using delivery services. This has led many to wonder how much first and second class stamps costs. But with a recent change to the pricing, this is about to change. With other delivery options proving more popular, there is little appeal in first and second class postage. At Parcel Delivery, we understand how stressful this can be. Therefore, we will be outlining the difference between first and second class in this article.
The Cost Of First And Second Class Stamps
When looking to send a parcel, it is important to remember the types of delivery on offer. Two of the most common are first class and second class delivery. But with many using the internet, several people question how much are first and second class stamps? At this time, the first- and second-class stamp differ in price with the first-class stamp costing 70p. Whilst the second-class stamp costs you 61p. This is a clear difference in the cost of first and second class stamps. But just how different is the process of first and second class postage?
The difference between first and second class stamps has changed over the years. This is to the point that more people seeing less of a difference. This is due to the cost of first and second class postage being so little. This means that many opt for faster delivery options. This is beneficial for some as it means that parcels will be sent quicker than those with a second class stamp. The delivery speed is still the case even when using a weekend delivery service.
If you are a business this may be a beneficial delivery option for you. This is because it will ensure your parcels are sorted first. This will also help to ensure important documents arrive on time even with same-day delivery services.
What Is The Difference Between 1st and 2nd Class?
With this in mind, it is important to note that the process has changed. The first and second-class system was developed in the ’60s. Under the fee structure in place before September 1968, the post office could delivery items. They would only be delayed if they were sent at a discounted rate after mid-afternoon. These would be delayed until all the fully paid letters were organized. This created a clear difference between first and second class stamps during this time. But with technology speeding up the sorting process, what is the difference between first and second class stamps?
In all honesty, there is not as much difference as their once was. Despite the price difference, there is very little difference between the two others than price. However, there could be a slight speed difference in the sorting process. This is because the first-class stamp is often prioritized. Therefore, when choosing between the price of first and second class stamps, this is important to remember.
Another difference between first and second class stamps is the strips that are featured in them. The first class and second class stamps have strips in the print. The stripes on the first-class are slightly thicker than that of a second class stamp. This suggests that an optical scanner may be used to identify the two. However, there is no solid evidence to suggest that first and second class postage is still separated. Therefore, using standard postage is becoming less favourable.
The 1st And 2nd Class Price Increase
But how much are first and second class stamps UK has to offer? As of Monday, 23rd March, the price of stamps is changing. The price of a first-class stamp will be rising by 6p and the second class stamp rising by 4p. This is the biggest change to stamp prices since 2012. Though this may not seem like a huge change, the managing director of letters Stephen Agar had this to say:
“These price increases will help us maintain the quality of service that is expected by our customers while supporting the universal service.”
This is set to make huge changes to an industry that is a threat of making a loss in 2021. With this, there could be more changes made in 2020. But with the cost of first and second class stamps changing, this could greatly affect the cost of first and second class postage.
Whether this is the difference in first and second class stamps can affect delivery. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the difference between first and second class beforehand. This will ensure that your delivery is a success at every stage.
