Cheap Parcel Delivery Official Discussion

steveE2

Deleted_User wrote: »

I sell a lot of cheap things on Ebay. For just a few pounds. Are there any alternative ways to send post cheap rather than going to the post office. I know there are a few companies that specialize in big items but what about small items?

For example. on a few occasions, I have went to the post office and been charged £2.20 to send an item. But because its VERY slightly too big to fit through the gap in their board thing, it doesnt get sent for 69p. Big difference between 69p and £2.20 especially when your sending a lot of stuff. Just because the package is a little too big!

Post office has been such a rip off since they introduced the weight and size!

No one cheaper for small items,
If it's only VERY slightly over and you cannot re pack smaller try getting some PIP Boxes to fit such as these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=pip+boxes&LH_PrefLoc=1

Campden

Still at the lightweight end of the scale can anyone tell me where to find the Royal Mail rule which defines a letter sent abroad, please

To send a letter to Europe, the price goes up in steps from 87p for 10 grams to £2.21 for 100 grams.

All small packets up to 100 grams are £2.70 to send to Europe.

How can I turn a thin light packet into a letter?

Does it need some chatty correspondence to be included? Or would something connected with the contents be sufficient?

costnowt

I was thinking of bidding on wooden bedstead on ebay and arranging a courier myself for collection and delivery. I've got loads on my watchlist in all areas of the country, so I can't give a specific area. The average weight seems to be around 15kg and the sizes are 200 x 100 x 30cm (this last size is a guess of the packed down size). I'd probably ask for the for the head and foot-board to be separated and packed flat on the bed to reduce the size. Of course if this is going to be too expensive, it's probably not worth my while but I've no way of knowing without a quote.
After reading through the forums for inspiration, the cheapest quote I got was about £35 from Parcel Force, which seems a bit steep. Is this as cheap as I'm likely to get?

Regards

Strapped wrote: »

Many (most?) sellers won't allow you to arrange your own courier so do check before ordering. I assume that you must be buying second hand, because any business seller selling new bedsteads would have their own courier arrnagements. Perhaps a private seller would allow you to send a courier, although they probably won't want to/be able to pack it up very well (and therefore courier is within their rights to refuse to take it).

Thanks for your reply! I will be purchasing second hand. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation really. Before requesting the use of a courier I'd still like to know how much it's likely to cost? As I said before, if it's too pricey then I just wouldn't bother and will just confine myself to a bed locally.

Don't know if I made it clear in my last post, but I still need help with this. If anyone has any advice/info. that would be fantastic. :T Cheers.

excel

I need to send a parcel of weight 1.5kg, dims variable (can be big jiffy bag) abroad (Europe), inc. insurance cover for £180.

Please can anyone update me on the cheapest reliable option?

Many thanks!

Quinny_2

excel wrote: »

I need to send a parcel of weight 1.5kg, dims variable (can be big jiffy bag) abroad (Europe), inc. insurance cover for £180.

Please can anyone update me on the cheapest reliable option?

Many thanks!

You will still need the dimensions of the parcel/jiffy bag, as it could be 8ft square despite the gross weight.

paulofessex

excel wrote: »

I need to send a parcel of weight 1.5kg, dims variable (can be big jiffy bag) abroad (Europe), inc. insurance cover for £180.

Please can anyone update me on the cheapest reliable option?

Many thanks!

What prices have you already found upon your own searches?

excel

paulofessex wrote: »

What prices have you already found upon your own searches?

So far basically just RM = £10.82 with cover only up to £46 or £18.57 inc £250 cover

excel

Quinny wrote: »

You will still need the dimensions of the parcel/jiffy bag, as it could be 8ft square despite the gross weight.

in terms of box-size something along the lines of 30x30x32 cm - haven't packed it properly yet, though that should fit

matty_hunt

Just a comment on MyHermes service.
I've used them a few times now, both collect from home and drop off service. No problem. The only issue I have, and would like to warn others using it for ebay is that if you give a price to ship an item in your listing, MyHermes may not actually ship to the postcode of your buyer, forcing you to use a more expensive shipping service elsewhere. They do not ship to all places. There is nowhere on the site about where it does not ship to. E.g I had a parcel to post to Southampton highstreet. Nothing difficult about that but MyHermes will not do it.

Gary123456790

Deleted_User wrote: »

I sell a lot of cheap things on Ebay. For just a few pounds. Are there any alternative ways to send post cheap rather than going to the post office.

I buy stamps in bulk at a discount then stick them on.

£2.20 currently costs me £1.72, I buy the stamps from a company called BB Stamps. They will be a mix of books, part sheets, etc but all usable.

If you buy over £200 face value of stamps they post them to you for free - I bought £240 of stamps and they charged me £187.20.

Plus you can stick the stamps on, walk into the post office, stick the parcel in their big grey bag and walk out again - no queueing!!

I just write '£2.20 xx grams' next to the stamps and '2PK SECOND CLASS PACKET 2PK' near the top.

Gary.