Who do you use (recommended) for very large parcels to UK addresses, please?

ih8stress

As per title, I am thinking of listing an item on Ebay but the package size will be approx. 40 inches x 45 inches x 5 inches.

I've looked on Parcelforce and it would cost around £28 - eek!

I've only ever used RM or Parcelforce so don't know if there are any decent Courier firms who would be cheaper and good to use.

All advice welcome, thanks

tightauldgit

If you use a comparison site like parcel2go you'll find probably the best option for your parcel in terms of price. Large parcels can be expensive though especially if you need to insure for a decent amount.

Spoonie_Turtle

tightauldgit said:

If you use a comparison site like parcel2go you'll find probably the best option for your parcel in terms of price. Large parcels can be expensive though especially if you need to insure for a decent amount.

Going via a broker usually means more hassle if something goes wrong - you won't be able to deal with the company because the contract is with the broker not the courier, and they tend to have different T&Cs from if you went directly with them.

Probably best would be to manually get a quote from all of them and check what each of them covers at the same time.

soolin

Spoonie_Turtle said:

tightauldgit said:

If you use a comparison site like parcel2go you'll find probably the best option for your parcel in terms of price. Large parcels can be expensive though especially if you need to insure for a decent amount.

Going via a broker usually means more hassle if something goes wrong - you won't be able to deal with the company because the contract is with the broker not the courier, and they tend to have different T&Cs from if you went directly with them.

Probably best would be to manually get a quote from all of them and check what each of them covers at the same time.

I agree, adding a broker in just adds another layer of things to go wrong. Personally I would do as Spoonie_turtle suggests and check out the main couriers directly, especially as they all have different restrictions on what they will or will not insure, and each has a different add on charge for full insurance coverage. 

ih8stress

Thank you everyone for your replies, @tightauldgit @Spoonie_Turtle @soolin - looks like I will be best checking the main couriers out when I have more time

Buster_Danog

Just to add to this I once sent a large parcel (air conditioner) using either Parcel Monkey or Parcel2Go and the T&Cs allowed the parcel to be left with a nighbour. This was a return of an item I had paid for through Paypal and I was very lucky that Paypal refunded me as the parcel was not delivered to the exact address I had sent it to. If you need the parcel to be left at the address and not with a naighbour beware of the above sites.

tightauldgit

soolin said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

tightauldgit said:

If you use a comparison site like parcel2go you'll find probably the best option for your parcel in terms of price. Large parcels can be expensive though especially if you need to insure for a decent amount.

Going via a broker usually means more hassle if something goes wrong - you won't be able to deal with the company because the contract is with the broker not the courier, and they tend to have different T&Cs from if you went directly with them.

Probably best would be to manually get a quote from all of them and check what each of them covers at the same time.

I agree, adding a broker in just adds another layer of things to go wrong. Personally I would do as Spoonie_turtle suggests and check out the main couriers directly, especially as they all have different restrictions on what they will or will not insure, and each has a different add on charge for full insurance coverage. 

What I meant was if you check the broker you will get a good idea of the prices and who is cheapest - you can then book directly or whatever if you prefer. 

Yeah I've found when you need to add insurance they're often not cheapest. With regards to customer service - a lot of the couriers are harder to contact than the brokers anyway so sometimes thats a wash.