Courier Thread Mk2 - Advice and links for sending parcels in the U.K and Worldwide

ArmitageShanks

spookylukey wrote: »

Does anyone know how accurate you have to be with weights/sizes when booking a collection?

I want to purchase something from ebay but the seller doesn't offer postage, they've agreed to a courier picking the item up but I don't know how big the box will be or the exact weight. It will be well under the 30kg limits that most companies seem to have and will not be over the size limits either.

Haven't bid on this yet and don't want to pester the seller asking for weights and measurements of a box they haven't even got yet (as they are offering collection only ie not boxed) as they will probably block me as the buyer from hell!

Any ideas?

I'd just go for it.

We do this often (buying from collection only), always fine but some of the packaging leaves a lot to be desired.

heyburn

scbk wrote: »

Lol ok, you don't happen to own the website do you?:rolleyes::rotfl:

Ha! Wish I did - its one of those 'why didn't I think of that' ideas!

spookylukey

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

I'd just go for it.

We do this often (buying from collection only), always fine but some of the packaging leaves a lot to be desired.

Thanks, the sites I was looking at make you specify the dimensions etc when you book the collection so do you mean just put rough dimensions and weight down ie what I'd expect it to be?

ArmitageShanks

spookylukey wrote: »

Thanks, the sites I was looking at make you specify the dimensions etc when you book the collection so do you mean just put rough dimensions and weight down ie what I'd expect it to be?

It doesn't matter. They only ask so they can check to see that it's not over the limit.

Who are you using; parcel2go interparcel? I only say as there are cheaper/better options.

spookylukey

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

It doesn't matter. They only ask so they can check to see that it's not over the limit.

Who are you using; parcel2go interparcel? I only say as there are cheaper/better options.

The one I looked at was interparcel, they will collect from a business address (seller will be at work during the day) and deliver to a residential address - don't know the postcode yet only the town so can't quote with ppwexpress. Express package delivery on ebay says "Please use accurate weighing/measurements,do not guess the weight".

ArmitageShanks

spookylukey wrote: »

The one I looked at was interparcel, they will collect from a business address (seller will be at work during the day) and deliver to a residential address - don't know the postcode yet only the town so can't quote with ppwexpress. Express package delivery on ebay says "Please use accurate weighing/measurements,do not guess the weight".

Business address is good- almost totally remove the chance of any problems. ppw will be £6.95. Express packages are a friendly and smaller out fit so I personally wouldn't use them in this case, as if it was over the max dimensions then they would then get charged extra. ppw will be fine.

J400uk

I'd also reccomended PPW, have used them 2 or 3 times now with no major issues. Quick, easy online booking system, accepts paypal and provides a working tracking number link. Only slight hitch was last time I used them the parcel was mis-routed to the wrong depot, and ended up getting delivered a day late but this could hav easily been DHLs fault.

bjaudio

https://www.dhl.saletrack.co.uk

Was recommended to me by someone who uses them a lot (and a DHL driver)

You need to visit the website and ring them to set up an account, lovely lady called Hayley helped me through it all.

Prices are better than anyone else around as far as I can see, and the booking and tracking facilities look amazing.

Account takes 5 days to activate, so I will report back when it gets going for me.

ArmitageShanks

bjaudio wrote: »

www.dhl.saletrack.co.uk

Was recommended to me by someone who uses them a lot (and a DHL driver)

You need to visit the website and ring them to set up an account, lovely lady called Hayley helped me through it all.

Prices are better than anyone else around as far as I can see, and the booking and tracking facilities look amazing.

Account takes 5 days to activate, so I will report back when it gets going for me.

Already on the first page.

Sale Track & Sale Pack

Offer the complete integrated e-commerce package.
Website est. £200/month
Marketing est. £250/month
Courier £5.00-£6.50 (depending on volume)

We have an account with them but don't currently use them as we have other options. But yes I can confirm they are very good, in fact the whole Sale Group is very good. For anything below 200/month I still think ppw will be cheaper.

BUT come the start of October the whole market will be looking completely different. However saletrack will not be affected.

bjaudio

I had to give up with ppwexpress due to their awful (and broken) booking system, which is a shame, cos they were ok, 2 failed collections out of 50 or so in the past 3 months aint that bad. And they were pretty good on replying to email queries and providing confirmation and tracking details.
Been using the much maligned directparceldelivery this week, booking is easy, but no continuity with their service in the past, and no confirmation / tracking details forthcoming from them makes you sit chewing your nails whether the driver is coming to collect that day or not (luckily this week they have all be collected when booked through DPD)

I am hopeful that Saletrack will work out, even if you are sending low vloume per month (under 10) they come in slightly cheaper than anyone I could find this week, and if you are sending more, the price you pay comes down in proportion.
Add to that the fact you can book right up to the minute the driver knocks on your door, and instantly have the correct tracking details and forward them to your customer, is way beyond what other online booking agents seem to be offering.

We shall see.....