Want to use courier for the first time - advice needed

porto_bello

Froggitt wrote: »

A few years ago, RM was saying the number of letters posted had gone off dramatically due to use of email, but their revenue was fine because of a similar increase in parcels due to the number of people selling on ebay and the like.

Looks like they now want to kill their parcel business.

Letters market gone, parcel market collapsing: all it needs to do now is sell ERNIE to the National Lottery for a token quid and the Premium Bonds have gone too!

Perhaps the idea is to defeat privatisation by ensuring there's nothing to privatise?

morganedge

kalsha wrote: »

If I have to set up an account, do I pay by paypal? Will I need to print the label?

I used them for the first time a few days ago.
Had an item that is worth about £80.00, so I wanted it tracked.

Lady at post office quoted me £25.00! (the same item cost 12.50 to send a month ago)

So, I opened up a hermes account, and they wanted £5.50, including insurance and a signature.

Sent it off a few days ago, and I imagine it should be out for delivery today. Fingers crossed that it gets there!

You set up an account, and can pay with your debit/credit card, or with your paypal account.
You then print the labels off yourself.

I'll probably get neg feedback though, as the listing stated that it would be royal mail delivery! It was only when I went to post the item that they quoted me the ridiculous price of 25.00, so I was forced to use someone else.

morganedge

Just checked the tracking.
Everything 'looks' good! :
Date Time Status
06/04/2013 11:43 Signature From Customer
06/04/2013 09:17 Courier Received
06/04/2013 04:38 Out For Delivery
05/04/2013 12:11 Courier to Re-attempt
05/04/2013 04:57 Out For Delivery To Courier
05/04/2013 02:00 Processed at Depot
04/04/2013 21:36 Receipt at Depot
04/04/2013 07:38 Receipt at Hub
03/04/2013 23:20 Order Generated
03/04/2013 10:15 Collected

aeb_2

I use parcel2go and can then choose collect+ or MyHermes drop off or take to store options amongst others.

For people who sell quite a few items you can prepay £100 and get a £5 bonus. I've done this and it also makes paying for the parcel quicker too

The last couple of times I've used Collect+ the item has arrived next day! (bought Sunday, dropped off Monday am, delivered Tuesday mid-day)

Another tip, get to know when the Collect+ and MyHermes parcels are collected from the shop. For me, Collect+ collection is at 8.30am whereas MyHermes is always 3pm. By choosing the right one I can 'save' delivery time.

Blether

If you are offering free postage do you have to specify what service you are using. Does Hermes deliver to the address or does the seller have to collect it. My listing don't end for 4 days so I can change them.

techspec

Blether wrote: »

If you are offering free postage do you have to specify what service you are using. Does Hermes deliver to the address or does the seller have to collect it. My listing don't end for 4 days so I can change them.

They deliver to their home. Hermes don't offer a collect from store option - but are going to.

Collect+ offer both - but you must post to buyers address on ebay to be protected wit paypal.

But for sending to friends, to collect at a shop, is just £3.49 with collect plus. I also use it to send return labels. I pay for buyers return - email them url for the label - then i collect it from shop when convenient.

Obviously_the_best

myHermes offer, in my eyes, a fantastic service, as long as you really do state other 3-5 courier rather than myHermes. The same with Collect+. I've found that buyers don't actually know who either of them are, and that deters them from bidding. Just upload the tracking number afterwards and 99 times out of 100 the buyers are happy with the service they receive.

sophieg123

i've used parcelmonkey in the past

you have to specify the weight length width and height but when they picked the item up they didnt check it, they just shoved it in the lorry!

something to think about...

duncan-biscuits

collectmyparcel.com is a great experience , used them for BULKY uplifts

I like using collect plus to leave SMALL packets at local grocery shop, they are a bit slow to deliver but seems to be adequate and a good price for tracked.

Paypal states to always post to someone within 7 days of being paid , and you are required to use a service where a signature is obtained service showing the date delivery /a signature in order to have protection.

Standard parcel loss/ cover is up to £50 for most UK parcel firms but extra cover can be purchased at the time of booking .

techspec

duncan-biscuits wrote: »

collectmyparcel.com is a great experience , used them for BULKY uplifts

I like using collect plus to leave SMALL packets at local grocery shop, they are a bit slow to deliver but seems to be adequate and a good price for tracked.

Paypal states to always post to someone within 7 days of being paid , and you are required to use a service where a signature is obtained service showing the date delivery /a signature in order to have protection.

Standard parcel loss/ cover is up to £50 for most UK parcel firms but extra cover can be purchased at the time of booking .

Signature is only required if above £150.