Help with laptops and parcelforce

HappyGamer

Hello. I have some questions regarding posting laptops and using Parcelforce and am hoping that someone can help me.

I have some old laptops which have batteries in and it is my understanding that Royal Mail restrict items with batteries in. Each laptop has just one battery in it and I do not have any spare batteries. Would there be any problems sending these via Royal Mail or via Parcelforce? Are laptops fully covered if they were to become lost or damaged?

I have previously sold items and am aware of how to list items etc. I have not previously sold a laptop however so is there anything I should be aware of?

I have not used a courier before but having price checked some items on the Royal Mail site it appears that it would cost less to send some via Parcelforce. I am a little unsure about using a courier and the Parcelforce website does not explain everything clearly.

I understand that packages being sent by Parcelforce can be dropped off at a Post Office. Am I required to buy the postage online first and then drop it off or am I able to buy it and send via Parcelforce through the Post Office?

Are there any other reliable couriers that might cost less than Parcelforce? I know of MyHermes but do not wish to send via them.

Any help would be appreciated. Thankyou.

mgdavid

use a courier broker like Parcel2go.com or Parcelbroker.co.uk and you will get a choice of several couriers at different prices and delivery speed options, so you can avoid Hermes if that's what you want. Personally I try very hard to avoid ParcelForce as they usually work out mega-expensive. YMMV

HappyGamer

Thankyou for the links. Parcelforce does not appear to be too costly for what I wish to send and it would be the easiest courier for me to use but I shall consider others.

I am still interested in knowing whether I can buy and send with Parcelforce via the Post Office or whether I must pay for postage online.

lovinituk

Yes, you can purchase Parcelforce services at post offices...

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/uk-express-parcels

HappyGamer

Thankyou

steveE2

You can also buy and print parcelforce labels via ebay and drop off at post office.
Parcelforce 24 £13.19
Parcelforce 48 £11.99

http://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/ebay-postage-discounts

http://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/buy-and-print-postage-eBay

gollum007

Parcelforce *will* not cover laptops for loss or damage. Basically anything with an LCD screen is excluded.

I believe Special Delivery will cover for damage, assuming it's posted in appropriate packaging (I.E. the original box), and clearly marked with FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE

Batteries are allowed to be shipped when enclosed in the original device, and the appropriate declaration and label is attached at the post office

HappyGamer

gollum007 wrote: »

Parcelforce *will* not cover laptops for loss or damage. Basically anything with an LCD screen is excluded.

I believe Special Delivery will cover for damage, assuming it's posted in appropriate packaging (I.E. the original box), and clearly marked with FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE

Batteries are allowed to be shipped when enclosed in the original device, and the appropriate declaration and label is attached at the post office

Oh right, thankyou.

Are there any other couriers who will cover damage for laptops? It will cost over £25 to send them special delivery. One of them is barely worth £25 in value. No one is going to pay that much in postage for it

gollum007

I stand to be corrected, but I'm reasonably certain the answer is no with regards to damage.
I think there's one which will cover for loss, but not damage, but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

TBQH if it's just £25 in value, you're probably best off sending via standard Royal Mail Recorded.
As you're posting them in an electronic device (The laptop), then you're fine so long as it's properly protected using the original box, and you've sorted the label and declaration

HappyGamer

I see.

Royal Mail Signed For is too expensive so if none offer cover I suppose it would make sense to go with the option that costs less. I will pack it well anyway.

I do not have the original boxes anymore. I have different laptop boxes I can use though. Packing them in them boxes makes a fairly big difference to the size however.

The one that is worth about £25 would cost just over £16 to send Signed For. I have another that is worth a tiny bit more but not a lot and I'd have to send that Special Delivery at just over £25 which is not worth it.

Originally I stated I do not wish to send via MyHermes but due to costs I am reconsidering. I assume the laptops would not be covered through them but would it be the better option?

Obviously_the_best

If they're packed VERY well then myHermes shouldn't be a problem. Check out https://www.parcelmonkey.co.uk , their own brand service where the driver brings the label is run by a very good company called DX, take a look at it.