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[Shackeng]

I have a 21 KG parcel of a returned gas hob to post. Can anyone recommend the 'safest' courier in their experience?

[Doctor Gollum]

Properly packed, either UPS or TNT.

The key advantage being reliable tracking and, within reason, guaranteed next day delivery. I would suggest dropping it off at the depot though.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I usually use Hermes and drop the parcel off at the local drop off shop. 

[Doctor Gollum]

I usually use Hermes and drop the parcel off at the local drop off shop. 

It's a bit big for my Parcel shop.

A pop into Swindon to drop it off minimises the chance for damage and means that should get a physical receipt.

[johnnydog]

I would put the dimensions in one of the Parcel Delivery search companies with accounts with all the major couriers, such as Interparcel, Parcel2Go, or Parcel Monkey (although I prefer Interparcel), and then you can see the cost for your preferred options.
If you dont have a business account with any courier company, the costs are high, so it is better to use a ''search' company with accounts with courier companies, such as one of those above.

[Doctor Gollum]

The only problem with Parcel 2 go etc is that your contract is with Parcel 2 go and not the carrier. This can complicate any issues.

[johnnydog]

The only problem with Parcel 2 go etc is that your contract is with Parcel 2 go and not the carrier. This can complicate any issues.

That's a little negative really. I have been using Interparcel for many years to send literally hundreds of parcels both in the UK and Internationally following Ebay sales, with not one problem whatsover. Parcels are tracked, and if you are prepared to pay a small additional cost to fully insure the contents, what is there not to like? The delivery is fast and efficient in my view, whether with drop off or collection services.
Unless of course you prefer to pay the extortionately high prices that non account customers would have to pay if dealing with the courier direct?
I take it therefore that over the years you have never taken car insurance out through a broker then....?

[Doctor Gollum]

No, but I have had issues getting a damaged parcel resolved, sure it may have been the recipient pulling a fast one, but it never got resolved because neither the carrier nor the agent would accept liability inspite of the insurance.

I have also worked for TNT, DHL and a Pallex/Palletways agent so have a reasonable understanding of how it all works.

How I ship things depends on a number of factors, but I always pack things well enough to survive the process.

[johnnydog]

How I ship things depends on a number of factors, but I always pack things well enough to survive the process.

Exactly. Some people expect their item to arrive as sent with only minimal packaging, and whilst it shouldn't happen, parcels do sometimes have a bit of a rough journey. So the moral is to package properly.
But I wouldn't not send a parcel though one of the intermediary companies on the off chance that an issue wouldn't be satisfactorily resolved by either party, the chance of which would be quite minimal in my opinion. There's more chance however of an issue with ParcelFarce in my experience....

[Doctor Gollum]

The trouble is, if Chris is waiting on a refund dependant on it arriving as purchased, then it makes sense to not mess around for the sake of a couple of quid.

[TheBoy]

The only problem with Parcel 2 go etc is that your contract is with Parcel 2 go and not the carrier. This can complicate any issues.

Or if the courier decides that due to an unspecified Major Event on Friday, their next day guaranteed delivery was not valid, and I have a pissed off punter, and no comeback, as my contract was not with the courier. Cue, I'm out of pocket for the postage there, the return postage when it does turn up (as buyer needed by Saturday), and other costs, none of which I seemingly can claim back. And yes, I had paid the extra for insurance, fortunately, as my best hope is that the courier has lost it (it which point the insurance kicks in, and I can claim).

Now, had my contract been with the courier, I would easily get my out of pocket back.


Unaware of any such major events on Friday. I think a small section of the M5 was closed for less than an hour, though if any courier was sending my parcel anywhere near there, they have bigger issues.

[Shackeng]

 I’ve used UPS as the parcel is 21kg, and the village shop is an agent.

[Doctor Gollum]

Job jobbed