Using a Courier for the First Time

Ms_Chocaholic

Hi

I'm about to list some heavier and bulkier items and was hoping someone could offer me some advice re using a courier.

I've had a look at the sticky but I found it confusing, hence this post.

My listings will state that I will only send items within the UK and I wondered:

1. What's the cheapest courier(s) available?

2. What happens if an item is damaged or not received - can you claim from the courier in the same way you can with Royal Mail, is there an additional charge for this usually, is it tracked?

3. What happens if the buyer is not in to collect the parcel or does not re-arrange delivery, would I incur a cost in getting the parcel returned to me.

4. Do most couriers offer to collect parcels from work addresses.

Many thanks
Ms C xxx

coolpig

Hi Ms choc, I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1. What's the cheapest courier(s) available?

The cheapest isn't neccessarily the best, it pays to shop around and compare both prices and T&Cs.

2. What happens if an item is damaged or not received - can you claim from the courier in the same way you can with Royal Mail, is there an additional charge for this usually, is it tracked?

All couriers have some form of insurance against loss or damage, all couriers will make you jump through hoops should you ever need to claim.
Most domestic couriers don't offer online tracking which Paypal/eBay require for a dispute but as you hve incontravertable proof of delivery there are other avenues to pursue a fraudulent claim.

3. What happens if the buyer is not in to collect the parcel or does not re-arrange delivery, would I incur a cost in getting the parcel returned to me.

I've yet to come across a courier that charged for a return, check T&Cs.

4. Do most couriers offer to collect parcels from work addresses.

Yup, all couriers will collect from a work address.

cyberbob

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

My listings will state that I will only send items within the UK and I wondered:

Make sure your seller preferences are set to exclude those from countries you don't send to otherwise they will still be able to bid.

Also remember some couriers will charge more to the Highlands and Islands and Northern Ireland. If you want to offer the same price throughout the country if you use Parcelforce and pay via paypal it will cost 10.99 up to 30kg. Full online tracking as well. It's also cheap to upgrade the insurance.

http://www.parcelforce.com/portal/campaign/content1?catId=7300052&mediaId=21600363

martindow

Most carriers have some insurance cover up to 50 pounds or a rate per kg and the option of buying more insurance for higher value items but there can be a lot of exclusions so read them through carefully. Apart from the usual exclusions for glass and ceramics some will only insure new items which can be a big issue with Ebay items. Claiming is not easy and most difficult with resellers like Parcel2go (there's a current thread on this). Don't think they will be a pushover compared to RM.

Some carriers reserve the right to charge extra if they make several attempts at delivery but this is not always enforced apparently.

Most carriers offer online tracking don't they? Certainly Fedex and UPS who I use show proof of delivery by putting the tracking number into their sites.

jafsie

Ask courier for a price in case he "just happens to be going that way"

Example I was quoted £120 for Newcastle to Leeds for a desk, found one "going that way anyway " £35

Saved £85

I've never used them but Shiply courier service will get you a dozen quotes on the basis above

martindow

jafsie wrote: »

Ask courier for a price in case he "just happens to be going that way"

Example I was quoted £120 for Newcastle to Leeds for a desk, found one "going that way anyway " £35

Saved £85

I've never used them but Shiply courier service will get you a dozen quotes on the basis above

That is fine for large or difficult to pack items, but I assume the OP is sending more normal sized boxes but heavier than is economical with RM. We are talking about under 25kg and sending for less than £10.