First v Second Class Post in UK - Any Difference?

First v Second Class Post in UKShould you use first or second class post within the United Kingdom?Is there any difference, except for the extra cost. Our sources tell us not!Brief HistoryWe believe that second class post was introduced on 16th September 1968. We guess this was so the Post Office could get more money for its standard service by renaming it "First Class", but it also allowed for bulk mailings sent "Second Class" to be sent at lower rates, but to be handled with less urgency.Separate posting boxes were provided at main "General" Post Offices, and phosphor strips were used on stamps, to help the mechanised sorting of First from Second class. This sorting uses resources, and costs money, so it is possible that it may not have been as beneficial as expected.We cannot now remember, but it must be 5 to 10 years ago that the Post Office started to remove its separate posting boxes. Why? We do not notice phosphor strips any more, either.No DifferenceAccording to a number of sources within or connected to the Post Office, there is now almost no difference between First and Second Class, as far as service is concerned, although there remains a price difference.The one area where a service differential still exists is in bulk-mailed items. Direct Mail is a big industry. Some mailing houses may need delivery on a specific day, or very quickly, and be prepared to pay for First Class, but most would prefer to pay a lower price, and can plan their mailshots in advance. They often pre-sort, saving the Post Office much work, and this helps them to negotiate lower prices. For the typical consumer or small business, posting normal quantities of mail, there is almost certainly no difference in the service, or speed of sorting or delivery between First and Second Classes. It is hardly worth the Post Office's time and effort to sort the two classes.This means that all mail, whether sent with an expensive First Class stamp, currently 32 pence for up to 100 grams, or Second Class costing only 23 pence, is very likely to receive the same service, and be delivered at the same time. The difference, nine pence, may not sound very much to some people, but for a business sending out 100 letters daily, the difference mounts up to 1,000 per annum.For heavier items, the price differential increases, but even at the starting price levels, 9 pence represents an increase of 39%, or a saving of 28%.Service