another order to Scottish Highlands...which courier please?

[Deleted User]

Can anyone recommend which is the best courier for heavy items as prices seem more than standard UK prices?

comeandgo

We, in the Scottish Highlands, are fed up with companies charging more for delivery. I live 2 miles from the main A9 road, but still companies try and get more money for delivery. I do not deal with companies who charge more. Our local newspapers and MSP's are asking for details of companies who charge extra and name and shame them.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

comeandgo wrote: »

Our local newspapers and MSP's are asking for details of companies who charge extra and name and shame them.

Would be more productive if your local papers and MPs would focus on the couriers who make the charges the first place rather than businesses passing on their costs.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Daveym79 wrote: »

These are Hermes (10 day delivery time) or Collect+ (approx 7 days) bur neither of which company I've used before.


Can anyone recommend either of these couriers or should I stay away and just contact the customer?

Hermes don't get any praise from me but generally depends on the driver servicing the delivery side of things.

I think Yodel delivery Collect+ stuff round here so can't comment on them.

I'm sure there is a setting somewhere so it shows seller may not ship to highlands and islands on listings which you require to send via courier.

If you can find the setting its a question of whether swallowing the extra costs (or the time spent messaging buyers and the potential of annoying them with extra charges) is worth the extra sales or blocking the areas would be best overall.

RFW

On Ebay the shipping rate via Parcelforce is the same for the whole of the UK.
Express48 is £8 plus VAT for up to 30kg.
https://www.parcelforce.com/sending-parcel/sending-your-ebay-items

RFW

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

Would be more productive if your local papers and MPs would focus on the couriers who make the charges the first place rather than businesses passing on their costs.

When I used couriers I used to factor in the Highlands and islands costs and charge a flat UK fee to customers. It worked well on getting those buyers and was never excessive enough to be a problem.
The bigger companies are able to negotiate deals to get a fairer price from the couriers. Although I do agree that if you're naming and shaming (which is never a great idea) then starting with the couriers seems sensible.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

RFW wrote: »

On Ebay the shipping rate via Parcelforce is the same for the whole of the UK.
Express48 is £8 plus VAT for up to 30kg.
https://www.parcelforce.com/sending-parcel/sending-your-ebay-items

That's a decent offer for up to 30kg.

Our local depot is 60 miles away but even £10 including VAT for Post Office drop off and next day including £100 compensation is good going.

RFW

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

That's a decent offer for up to 30kg.

Our local depot is 60 miles away but even £10 including VAT for Post Office drop off and next day including £100 compensation is good going.

I used to use it a lot. Surprisingly it's now £3 cheaper than it was when I last used it about 4 years ago! Before VAT was introduced on it it was £11.99, then went down to £10.99 including VAT. I used to have an account with PF and they charged a different rate to Highlands and N. Ireland, at the time it was cheaper to go via Paypal than use my account charge.

lindens

I found shutl through ebay cheapest previously, so try the new packlink

molerat

comeandgo wrote: »

We, in the Scottish Highlands, are fed up with companies charging more for delivery. I live 2 miles from the main A9 road, but still companies try and get more money for delivery. I do not deal with companies who charge more. Our local newspapers and MSP's are asking for details of companies who charge extra and name and shame them.

I ordered something the other week using DHL and noticed IV1 post code +£5 and 4 day delivery, IV30 post code free and 2 day delivery - guess where the courier depot is, yep IV1, go figure

halogen

As a resident in an area that national companies seem to think is an island in the highlands ( it's neither) I find the only reliable delivery company is Royal Mail. The main problem is the inability of national companies (Hermes, Yodel...) to relay instructions (leave in greenhouse) to the local agents. This results in parcels being taken back to the depot which is often a 2 hour+ drive away.