Cheap Parcel Delivery Official Discussion

StaffsSW

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

The problem is RM's parcelforce is very expensive to start with no matter how much cash back

I found this too, but after trying a lot of alternative companies I ended up with lost or damaged parcels, failed collections and missed deliveries. Parcelforce has been 100% reliable for me so far, and that is worth paying the extra for.

Also, looking at the http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-parcel-delivery guide, I find it worrying that people are being encouraged to arrange their own courier for ebay sales.

If you've bought a big item and the seller charges excessive delivery rates, ask if you can arrange your own postage. Then have a courier pick up the item and deliver it to your house, reversing the usual procedure. Of course, this doesn't always work as some sellers rely on taking a cut of postage rates for profit, but it's worth a try.

What it does not make clear that if anything goes wrong, then the seller is still left responsible. Invariably the buyer will use the cheapest nastiest option available without tracking or insurance, so if it does go missing or gets damaged, the courier will not be at all helpful, and the seller is lost with no item and a refund to be issued all because the buyer chose an inferior service. Likewise, this "advice" assumes that the sellers' packaging is free. And that the seller is willing to sit around and wait for the courier who may or may not arrive on the day.

Shockingly bad advice from MSE.

deanos

woodface7 wrote: »

And while I'm here, anyone know how strict Collect+ (or Yodel their carrier) are on size? They quote 50x30x30cm max. My parcel is 62x30x16cm. So the volume is lower - and I had Yodel ship bigger than their quoted limit the one time I used them.

Old posts (IIRC) suggested that if the newsagent etc takes it, it'll get there... No-one been surcharged?

(BTW If any registered Collect+ user wants to offer me a 10% discount using their 'Refer A Friend' link, pm me. Then I can reciprocate after I sign up. :beer: )

If you see my post a few back, Collect+ told me as long as the store accepts , it will be delivered but only if its to someones house, if it gets sent to another store the store may refuse to accept

Obviously_the_best

stevew8975 wrote: »

Parcelforce has been 100% reliable for me so far, and that is worth paying the extra for.

I think you're one of the lucky ones, from what I've read, Parcel Force seem to have a record of destructing parcel beyond recognition.

Strapped

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

I think you're one of the lucky ones, from what I've read, Parcel Force seem to have a record of destructing parcel beyond recognition.

I've heard them described as ParcelFarce as well, but have to say, a few weeks in, so far so good (where's that crossed-fingers smilie gone). I have a friend whose company has used them for years for plant deliveries too without major issue.

StaffsSW

With such a vital part of the customer contact point, I'd rather not scrimp on costs and if it takes a more expensive service to ensure that my selling standards are not at risk and my customers are satisfied, then so be it.

Cheap comes at a price. As John Lewis will soon find out...

StaffsSW

And here is a great example of the risk of letting a buyer arrange their own courier - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3928623

CountryGoose

stevew8975 wrote: »

I found this too, but after trying a lot of alternative companies I ended up with lost or damaged parcels, failed collections and missed deliveries. Parcelforce has been 100% reliable for me so far, and that is worth paying the extra for.

Also, looking at the http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-parcel-delivery guide, I find it worrying that people are being encouraged to arrange their own courier for ebay sales.



What it does not make clear that if anything goes wrong, then the seller is still left responsible. Invariably the buyer will use the cheapest nastiest option available without tracking or insurance, so if it does go missing or gets damaged, the courier will not be at all helpful, and the seller is lost with no item and a refund to be issued all because the buyer chose an inferior service. Likewise, this "advice" assumes that the sellers' packaging is free. And that the seller is willing to sit around and wait for the courier who may or may not arrive on the day.

Shockingly bad advice from MSE.

Why? Surely this is the same as a buyer collecting? The courier is the buyers agent and the buyers responsibility ends when the goods are handed to the courier.

Make this clear to the buy, get a receipt from the courier and the job's done.

StaffsSW

CountryGoose wrote: »

Why? Surely this is the same as a buyer collecting? The courier is the buyers agent and the buyers responsibility ends when the goods are handed to the courier.

Make this clear to the buy, get a receipt from the courier and the job's done.

The seller is entirely responsible for getting the goods to the buyer when paypal is used. Signed bits of paper are meaningless to paypal if it hours wrong, and as for being the "buyers agent" how does the seller get recompense after paypal have reversed the payment?

There are numerous threads on here with clear examples if why paypal is not safe for sellers when items are collected. Google "paypal collection scam" for many more examples.

Kayster

I've just tried to send a transformer (electrical item) to the far east and it is being returned as too dense to XRAY so cannot be shipped. Never been a problem before. Any experience out there?

volvodude

Kayster wrote: »

I've just tried to send a transformer (electrical item) to the far east and it is being returned as too dense to XRAY so cannot be shipped. Never been a problem before. Any experience out there?

I got the memo about certain dense things yes, such as a paint spray gun, for the love of god! I am just about to send a pressure washer type gun that looks like a spray gun, lets hope it doesn't get returned!

I read an article that drug dealers are using normal couriers for international deliveries now, concealing them in lead lined boxes etc. So blame these idiots for forcing UPS into such measures not UPS themselves.