Beware of the full cost when using parcel compare

Domino61 · 5 June 2023 at 3:26PM

I used parcel compare when sending a gift to a friend. The cost for an EVRI delivery was substantially lower than royal Mail. However, when paying for the delivery I was asked whether I wanted insurance for damage or loss. The total cost with the insurance was higher than other companies so I declined. Although, there was a warning that no compensation would be payable if I declined insurance, I thought that the courier would be legally responsible for my parcel. Needless to say the parcel was lost and parcel compare said that as I had not taken insurance they would not follow up with EVRI. They also said that EVRI would not speak to me directly as my contract was with Parcel compare. This post is to warn people to be careful when using this company. If you book directly with a courier then you have some recourse but not if you book with parcel compare unless you pay for the insurance.

DullGreyGuy · 5 June 2023 at 3:37PM

Royal Mail is the same, there is a token amount of cover depending on the service you are using and you have to use one of their higher services to have the option to add insurance for cover over this amount.

Given this has been the process for the whole of my life at least, I assume people have already tested the legal grounds/duty of care aspect as to why for a lower price couriers can cap their liability. The natural consequences had it been tested and found wanting is that you'd have seen the doubled price from both RM and EVRI and had no choice but to pay it (which you now have buyers remorse and wish you had paid it)