Alternative couriers to Royal Mail

[stevie_b]

Does anyone on here use couriers/postal service than the Royal Mail for everyday items? I ask because I've just sold a book on Amazon for a total of about £2.50. The postage on it, for the cheapest service on offer, was £5. Clearly, not a good business model for me to be operating!

 

If you do use other postal services, where do you go to use them? I've only ever been to a Post Office to post stuff. I don't live/work near an Interlink depot or anything like that.

[Wez]

2nd class recorded should be less than that

[stevie_b]

It was too heavy for 2nd class according to the chap who served me. It weighed a touch over 1kg. I wouldn't be surprised if they make it up as they go.

 

Edit: I think he was right about the weight limit. Anything over 1kg can't go 2nd class.

 

So, how does anyone send things like hardback books or academic texts (which tend to weigh a bit more) for sensible money without having to drive to some out-of-town courier depot?

[supra joe]

Try dhl

[stevie_b]

Try dhl

Good shout. Looks like branches of Rymans can act as a drop-off point.

[stevie_b]

double post

[gjp]

Try

http://www.parcel2go.com

 

I use them for almost everything I send

For large stuff try

http://www.paisleyfreight.com

 

I've never had any issues with either of them

[merckx]

A little cheaper than the post office

 

You can send items using your local shop, if the recipient collects from their local shop it's a little cheaper aswell.

[vertex]

without looking into it id say RM is your cheapest bet. if they send it as a standard parcel it will cost you £4.41.

without an account with a courier firm your looking at their price + vat. (there's no vat with RM.)

unfortunately I'd say you'll have to absorb a bit of the cost.

[stevie_b]

Try

http://www.parcel2go.com

 

I use them for almost everything I send

For large stuff try

http://www.paisleyfreight.com

 

I've never had any issues with either of them

Where do you drop the parcels off? Do you have to go to one of their depots?

 

without looking into it id say RM is your cheapest bet. if they send it as a standard parcel it will cost you £4.41.

without an account with a courier firm your looking at their price + vat. (there's no vat with RM.)

unfortunately I'd say you'll have to absorb a bit of the cost.

It's a shame that the guy didn't offer/suggest the standard parcel service to me. I, like most customers, don't care whether the package goes 1st class, 2nd class, Parcelforce, or whatever. The price difference in my case is trivial, but it's the principle. It reminds me of train fares in the recent past: you needed to either rely on an honest and knowledgeable ticket clerk, or know the various cut-offs and validity clauses of the different options yourself.

[Awisto]

I use http://www.parcelmonkey.co.uk since Parcel2go's diabolical customer service during the snow earlier in the year.

 

You book a delivery, they collect from your door and deliver, same as parcel to go, but cheapest parcel is £4.85 + VAT via City Link (one of the companies they use) so dearer for a book than RM.

 

Do you not need signed for delivery if selling? incase of a dispute or anything?

 

You can see on the RM website how much parcels will cost and your options http://sg.royalmail.com/portal/rm/PriceFinder?catId=23500532&gear=pricingcalc&campaignid=pricefinder_redirect

[stevie_b]

Thanks for the info guys. AFAIK sellers on Amazon don't need to send stuff out as Signed For: I would if it was high value, but I just usually get proof of postage.