postage

Have to say Red that we have time and again investigated courier services for low cost and generally low weight parcels and the prices are a lot compared to Royal Mail. Every company I look at I try a test parcel to my parents to see how the system works and although some are terrible, some are okay, but the fees outweigh the benefit. For example if someone buys one pot of Grimas paint from me at £3.40 they won't want to pay up to £9.99 in courier fees.

We have now resorted in sending all parcels for abroad "International Signed For" and this has reduced the amount of lost or undelivered parcels to zero at the moment. Having said that had one for Germany and that was returned to me in the UK as undelivered. Probably the German postal service being efficient more than anyone else. Probably put the kiss of death on it now though. I have the following wording at checkout etc - "INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN SHIPPING ONLY - all parcels are now shipped "international signed for" and this is taken into account in the price for shipping". It doesn't seem to have put customers off. A colleage sends all parcels recorded delivery regardless for the UK to reduce loss. She reckons though she loses some customers becuase of this. I don't know for the UK as I only send parcels over £70.00 recorded and they are free delivery for the customer anyway so its me footing the bill. International parcels wise I don't seem to have lost any customers they still come through at the same rate.

I absolutely hate Royal Mail with a vengence, but there is little choice I think. If you get a good solution let me know.

Good luck.


Edited by raineshoe - 06 April 2011 at 11:58am

I know I was shocked at the increase. I use Smart Stamp to price up my parcels and was shocked to find large letter which used to cost me 66p to post is now something like that is now 75p and packets that used to cost £1.39 are now £1.58. For the service they offer its a rip off in my opinion. I wouldn't mind if they didn't lose so much etc.

They seem to have bozos working for them too as I always put a return address in very small letters on the reverse of the parcel and it clearly says FROM, but clearly they can't read as I've had several parcels delivered to me instead of the address in the "documents enclosed" envelope. Makes me spitting mad. Spit blood frequently with them.

Hi
A lot of the increase is due to some VAT changes in last years budget (it was nicely hidden!). This might be useful:

"The following services now have VAT added:
Airsure to EU destinations
Special delivery by 9am
Special Delivery by 1pm (but only when bought with Saturday Guarantee and/or Consequential Loss)
Standard Parcel (but only when bough with Additional Compensation)
International Redirections to the EU
Local Collect
Keepsafe
Prepaid stationery for Special Delivery by 9am or the Airsure (EU) Air Pack.

All other postal services remain free of VAT "

Cheers
Nobby

Corkhopper - just looked at your web site. What lovely bouquets. Will save you to my faves for future. If the actual product is as good as the pics I'm impressed.

I think they are obliged to take Smart Stamp post regardless. Our local PO has changed hands yet again, and again the owners are less than helpful. In fact so unhelpful to the point that instead of being able to walk to it I'm considering driving to one or another one which are two miles away in different local towns in preference. One of these PO's actually offered to take all most post stamp it for me and allow me to return the following day with the next lot and pay then. Not our local PO, can't be that helpful.

Also with the Smart Stamp our local PO insists on checking every single parcel on the scales, the price the receipt everything. The other two further away just stamp my receipt and its done.

Sooooo annoying. I just hate Royal Mail and the POs associated with it. Roll on some good competition.