Parcel Delivery - Who to use

Gurj247

Hi all,


it has been a while since I was last on and a lot has changed.


I am in the process of putting my local business online, but a big issue is parcel delivery and prices.


The margins on the products are reasonably good but I want a parcel delivery company that is able to help me reduce my costs.


I am looking to post circa 10 parcels a week of various sizes, increasing as time goes on, but which companies do you approach?


Any recommendations?

Wizzbang

I don't know if you want a commercial firm, but 10 parcels a week is no more than I post with eBay (so I doubt you're going to get any massive discounts at that volume. Maybe more applicable as your volumes increase). At one point in time Collect+ were offering some volume discounts, but I don't know if this still applies.

At the end of the day- what size and weight are the things you are looking to post and what is their value? Cheapest isn't always best because you won't get insurance with a lot of these new firms (i.e. other than Royal Mail) unless you pay separately which increases costs.

In terms of reliability, ease of use and cost- I generally stick with Royal Mail. If I have something of an odd size or weight, I try Collect+ or looks at a website like parcel2go which lists all the major couriers in one place.

ElefantEd

Under 2kg - Royal Mail small parcel

Over 2kg - MyHermes is what I usually use, but I know couriers can be rather variable across the country as they depend on individuals, so your best bet might be a different one.

soolin

I've switched to MyHErmes for nearly all of my parcels , £2.60 for up to 1kg if dropped off at a parcel shop. That compares to Royal Mail small parcel rate (watch the size limits) which is £2.80 with no tracking or proof of delivery.

Gurj247

Thanks all for your replies, much appreciated.


The packages that I post are usually between 300g to 15kg depending on quantities people order.


I have been using Royal Mail for the smaller parcels but I hate their claim procedure as they lost one parcel and the process is very drawn out, still waiting having submitted my claim before xmas.


I have also used MyHermes for the larger parcels as like the fact that you get tracking on parcels.


As my business grows (touch wood) so will the number of items that need to be posted as such I'm looking for recommendations for other postal deliver companies.


I have been in touch with DPD and am awaiting pricing from them, but any others?