Cheap Parcel Delivery Official Discussion

Strapped

appleblossom wrote: »

Has anyone had experience with DHL of checking parcels?
I booked through parcelbee yesterday, have used them loads of times,normally PF but this time DHL - not a problem to me as used DHL loads of times too and always happy with them.
Anyway, spent a good deal of time carefully wrapping the contents and securing the BIG box!!, DHL chap comes and said that he has to unwrap the parcel and check the contents to make sure its not prohibited items - I asked if this was new as never ever had to do this before and he said it's standard practice - I queried what would happen if I wasn't there(which I'm normally not and any parcels are left in a pre-arranged safe place where they also leave my parcels) and he said he wouldn't have taken it.

So he then proceeded to tear all my careful packing apart, unwrapped the contents said yes thats ok and I had to repack it all up again, he said at least you'll know for next time to which I replied, yes, not to book through DHL again!

So is this something they have just started to enforce or have I just always had lazy couriers that cba to check it before?

I'm a bit annoyed as I like either DHL or PF but I can't risk booking with parcelbee now incase they send DHL and 9/10 times I'm not here when they collect.

Never had that happen before - and I'm almost never here for collection either! Hope it's not going to become a standard thing. (What did you put on the booking form that the item was, out of interest? Just wonder whether that set off any alarm bells for DHL.)

jordanryan

appleblossom wrote: »

Has anyone had experience with DHL of checking parcels?
I booked through parcelbee yesterday, have used them loads of times,normally PF but this time DHL - not a problem to me as used DHL loads of times too and always happy with them.
Anyway, spent a good deal of time carefully wrapping the contents and securing the BIG box!!, DHL chap comes and said that he has to unwrap the parcel and check the contents to make sure its not prohibited items - I asked if this was new as never ever had to do this before and he said it's standard practice - I queried what would happen if I wasn't there(which I'm normally not and any parcels are left in a pre-arranged safe place where they also leave my parcels) and he said he wouldn't have taken it.

So he then proceeded to tear all my careful packing apart, unwrapped the contents said yes thats ok and I had to repack it all up again, he said at least you'll know for next time to which I replied, yes, not to book through DHL again!

So is this something they have just started to enforce or have I just always had lazy couriers that cba to check it before?

I'm a bit annoyed as I like either DHL or PF but I can't risk booking with parcelbee now incase they send DHL and 9/10 times I'm not here when they collect.

Was this going within the UK or overseas? I've never had this nor heard of it. Maybe you had an International driver picking up a UK parcel?

appleblossom

It was machine parts going to UK-he wasn't an international driver afaik.
There is a thread on the parenting forum that I use where several others have experienced this over the last couple of days, they have been advised that it is a new thing and that in addition to the parcels being checked when collected they will also be reopened at the depo and checked there too.
Not happy at all now and won't be using parcelbee or any other courier service that use DHL as 1/ I am rarely at home and 2/ how do you know if they are putting anything in the parcel when it's open at the depo.What is the point of checking it twice anyway?

razer12121

hm that does seem odd, pretty darn anoying aswell i bet! ive just had ups pick up an item and they never wanted to look in the package, does it state that they do this online??

wackojackouk

Have just ordered two collections from ParcelBee. Not used them before so hopefully everything goes well.

Have used ParcelMonkey and found them to be quite good so will see how PB pan out.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes usually for the Parcel label to arrive as my printer is being funny at home.

Cheers

WJUK

Kayster

wackojackouk wrote: »

Have just ordered two collections from ParcelBee. Not used them before so hopefully everything goes well.

Have used ParcelMonkey and found them to be quite good so will see how PB pan out.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes usually for the Parcel label to arrive as my printer is being funny at home.

Cheers

WJUK

Varies in my experience - recently there has been a 2 to 3 hour time lag but over the weekend often i have placed orders on a Saturday and not had a label appear until Monday morning.

Kayster

razer12121 wrote: »

hm that does seem odd, pretty darn anoying aswell i bet! ive just had ups pick up an item and they never wanted to look in the package, does it state that they do this online??

In the past a couple of the parcel arrangers ( i think bananadoo was one) have stated in the confirmation email that you MUST leave the parcel open for the DHL Express driver to inspect - i think it is a standard DHL requirement for air shipped items that is not often observed.
I know non of the drivers who collect from me would be very pleased if i left them open and finished the packing while they waited - certainly non of them have ever asked to see whats in and i've had plenty of DHL collections.
I do notice on DHL tracking details you sometimes see an entry "security check" after a parcel has been out but not delivered for some reason but i always thought this was an xray or just checking that the parcel was still in their care..

tommyb147

Just a little help needed. I want to ship and item but I have just payed parcelmonkey and now recieved this horrible postage label. Can I make my own with the same citylink tracking number as parcel monkey don't actually handle the item.

Thanks Tom

custardy

tommyb147 wrote: »

Just a little help needed. I want to ship and item but I have just payed parcelmonkey and now recieved this horrible postage label. Can I make my own with the same citylink tracking number as parcel monkey don't actually handle the item.

Thanks Tom

you would need the barcode
you wont win any favours if the courier has to manually input at every tracking stage

Kayster

tommyb147 wrote: »

Just a little help needed. I want to ship and item but I have just payed parcelmonkey and now recieved this horrible postage label. Can I make my own with the same citylink tracking number as parcel monkey don't actually handle the item.

Thanks Tom

I havent used PM for a while but i used to cut off the cartoon monkey and all references to parcel monkey from the label as it does not look proffesional before sticking it on the box. never had a problem.