Cheap Parcel Delivery - official discussion

otterjpf

We need to send parcels to Oz and Canada every few months. Typically 1Kg -2.5 Kgs and so far have just used the local P.O. sometimes a lot of saving is made by splitting the parcel into two equalish smaller ones and posting them separately. This is basically inconvenient, and in any case still gets expensive. Can anyone recommend a good economy service for these countries? The parcels are usually toys and can be organised ahead of time.

Wings_of_Ambition

I guess this has been mentioned before, but Quidco are offering £1 cashback on Collect Plus bookings. So that's £3.89 for up to 2kg on their slower service.

hander

A downvote for Hermes here.

First time I'd used them (to send a coffee machine within London) and it was packed incredibly securely with huge amounts of wrap etc. Arrows indicating 'This Way Up', etc.

It arrived really heavily bent - damage to the bodywork all over. It still works but must have been tossed around quite a lot to get this much damage. Really disappointing. I'll never use them again.

martindow

hander wrote: »

A downvote for Hermes here.

First time I'd used them (to send a coffee machine within London) and it was packed incredibly securely with huge amounts of wrap etc. Arrows indicating 'This Way Up', etc.

It arrived really heavily bent - damage to the bodywork all over. It still works but must have been tossed around quite a lot to get this much damage. Really disappointing. I'll never use them again.

I'm sorry the coffee machine was damaged but if it was reliant on being kept the right way up it's not surprising. Parcels are going to be thrown around and roll down conveyor belts in depots - this way up or fragile stickers are not going to protect the contents.

Unless the box is crushed with tyre marks across it, damage demonstrate inadequate packing. Weight and size often makes no difference to the price with carriers so there is scope for double boxing and lots of packaging.

I regularly send delicate items which are not covered by insurance and have no illusions about much care being taken. It is up to me to pack defensively. If you're not happy to drop the parcel onto a concrete floor after packing it, it needs more protection!

John_Pierpoint

You have to realise that your parcel will travel on probably 3 different vehicles.
It will get thrown on an off each of these vehicles and risk falling off a conveyor belt between each vehicle; until its final journey up and down curbs tottering on a sack barrow.
The final driver has a narrow window in which to deliver, some addresses don't open until 10:00 and at this time of year it is getting dark by 16:00 - so the whole day is one continual rush.

You other choice is a courier driver, and make sure you supervise the strapping down of your parcel or it could bounce about in the back of the van, like the steel ball in a pinball machine.
The driver might well be on little more than minimum wage or a labour only self employed person; so don't expect him to be equipped with even a ball of string.

Kayster

I would echo what the previous two posters have said.
Some of the items I have received are packed appallingly yet against the odds manage to get delivered intact.
The worst was a lead acid car battery sent in a cardboard box with a plastic bag inside. He had put "keep upright" on the side and expected it to be kept upright. If that had leaked it would have damaged every parcel in the van and caused injury to the driver. I reported the sender to the courier company as they were a commercial enterprise sending out lots of batteries.
If someone else packs their item badly so something sharp sticks out they are putting your parcel at risk and the poor delivery driver.
I have received delicate instruments that have been damaged in transit in what i would consider marginal packing yet the sender swears blind they used loads of bubble and it was bomb proof then the sender gets upset when the carrier refuses their claim and blames the carrier. Senders have no idea how roughly parcels can be treated.
Take a look in the back of a the couriers van - the only one you will find with racking to my knowledge is UPS. The rest pile them high and if your light item is at the bottom of the pile God help you if it is not packed properly.

4457

I have to return a the above heater (69 x35.5 x50cm)and I am wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap, but reliable parcel delivery service? I tried My Hermes, but they do not deliver electrical items, I tried parcel2go, item too large, parcelforce too expensive!! I could go through Interparcel but I am put off by all the bad reviews. Any suggestions?

mgdavid

parcel2go are just a broker and usually offer at least four different carriers. Your item certainly not oversize IME - which carrier did you try getting a price for?
Also if it is well-packed and the contents say 'heater' how does anyone know it is an electrical one? Think of Alan Clark - be 'economical with the actualite'

bylromarha

I want to send 3 large boxes to the same address. Anyone know if any courier/broker offers a cheaper price per parcel for this?

4457

Hi
I tried Hermes before reading the list of exclusions (which are VAST - what DO they carry (and insure) apart from clothing, I wonder!! Although I think it is just a ploy to get out of paying compensation.) They quote just under £10, which was very reasonable, but not if I cannot insure it, which I can't do, as it is on their list of exclusions. I tried parcelforce and they want well over £25. Parceltogo said it was too big and sent me to couriers, who wanted me to sign up, before giving a quote - no quick quote available. I looked for any reviews on the couriers, but they are not mentioned. I went to parcel+ but the parcel is too big. I haven't tried any others yet - thought I would ask here first. I really don't want to pay over £20.