Cheap Parcel Delivery Use the web to cut courier costs

Desperate to send a last-minute package or parcel to friends? If it weighs more than 2kg, you can save an absolute packet (sorry) by using a discount web courier service instead of the Royal Mail - and even have them collect the goods from your house.

When should I use a courier service?

Most of us instinctively link the need to mail anything with a trip to the Post Office. Yet for the price-conscious, the internet's changed all that. The bar's been lowered on courier service prices, so they're now accessible to all.

Use these quick tips to help decide when a web courier service works for you:

• Are you sending something weighing more than 2kg?

  While Royal Mail's generally still cheapest for sending cards, letters and packets weighing under 2kg (use its Price Finder - at the time of writing its website seems to be struggling, so it's worth checking back later if this is the case), sending anything heavier with it will set you back over £7 - and that's without tracking. Yet you can buy a 3-5 day service which also includes this for under £6, see the best buys below.

• Do you need it there fast?

  Courier services are speedy, and many offer same-day collection if you book early enough. So for urgent deliveries, couriers may be the most economical option.

• Have you bought something on eBay, with over-priced postage?

  If you've bought a big item and the seller charges excessive delivery rates, ask if you can arrange your own postage. Then have a courier pick up the item and deliver it to your house, reversing the usual procedure. Of course, this doesn't always work as some sellers rely on taking a cut of postage rates for profit, but it's worth a try.
  
  It's also less worthwhile when the package's value exceeds £50, as the cost of extra insurance can be steep. Read the full eBay Buying Secrets guide.

What are 'discount courier services'?

This is a hidden way for you to access big courier firms like DHL or UPS, but only pay the amount that large companies do. It works via middlemen, who bulk buy postage slots from big delivery agencies, then sell them to the public.

You can usually book a pickup for the next day, depending on how early you email the postage form. However, same-day pickup is often available, provided you meet the daily cut-off time, which is usually before (or around) midday.

The cheapest place to buy these discounted mail services used to be via online auction site eBay*, but now many of the top sellers have their own websites. Do remember you’ll generally be dealing with the middleman company, not the courier itself.

How big can my parcel be?

All couriers calculate costs based on the size and weight of items. However, discount courier companies tend to offer flat-rate prices, based on DHL and Parcelforce's standard maximum dimensions. These are are generally about:

Max. length 150 cm, max. weight 30kg

If your parcel outguns these measurements, you'll have to use a specialist courier. Some services also go by volume; to calculate the volume of your parcel in cubic meters, it's width x length x height in cm divided by 1,000,000. See the best buys for options.

Get your packaging right

This isn't just for cosmetic purposes. Poor packing can void postal insurance and compensation claims, so package goods properly. You never know how much they'll be thrown around in transit, so take the following precautions:

• 

  Measurements.
  
  Be sure to measure and weigh your parcel accurately when getting a quote. If the package is bigger or heavier than stated, you may have to pay a surcharge.
  
  Plus if it exceeds size restrictions, it may not fit in the courier company’s depot sorting machines and could be damaged, or even returned to you.
  
  If you try sending something over 31.5kg it may not be accepted, as Health & Safety guidelines mean goods of this weight should be carried by at least two people. Therefore, you'll need a specialist service; these may be offered, but will cost more.
  
  Note for international shipments: International delivery costs can sometimes be calculated based on 'volumetric weight'. To work out the volumetric weight of your package, the calculations are usually length x width x height in centimetres, divided by 6,000. This gives you the volumetric weight in kilos.

• Banned / 'no compensation' items.
  
  All couriers have a list of 'forbidden' items that they won't deliver, so most couriers will inspect your items on collection. Because of this, it's sensible to leave the top of your packing box open until it's been inspected.
  
  Easily breakable items such as china or antiques will generally only be carried by economy courier services on a ‘no compensation’ basis, so if they're valuable look elsewhere.

• Packing materials.

  All good packing requires is a bit of common sense. Wrap delicate items tightly in bubble wrap. Grab free cardboard boxes from supermarkets, and if you run out of bubble wrap or the item isn't very delicate, pad with screwed up newspaper or even popped popcorn.
  
  If you live near a large Post Office, look inside for packing materials; special delivery plastic post bags may be available for free. The Royal Mail website also has useful tips on how to package items safely and securely.

• Delivery forms.
  
  Courier services make you fill in a booking form for each box you send. These can be completed online, or downloaded from the web and printed out. If the form isn’t filled in properly, compensation claims will be invalidated.

  Note for international shipments only: To send any items overseas you'll need to fill in a more detailed form for tax purposes. It's fairly straightforward, but if you don't fill it out accurately you risk delaying your package in customs, so be careful.

• Collection / delivery times.
  
  This sounds obvious, but make sure you're going to be in for the whole of the day. If you miss it, it's likely you'll have to repay - and that just isn't MoneySaving! Most couriers will attempt delivery three times at the destination address before returning items to sender, but always double-check.

Do I need insurance?

Since you're getting the equivalent of the courier company’s full price service, you naturally get the same protection, which can be about £50 per item - or more. It does vary, so always check.

Additional cover is generally available for a small surcharge, and if you've any concern you won't be covered enough, it's worth adding.

For example, you may be able to cover your item up to £500 for an extra £5, and up to £1000 for £10. If you've asked for it, make sure it's included on the order confirmation or you won't be covered.

Warning! Check before you send

Make sure you read these key warnings before you buy:

1. If parcels go missing, you’ve little rights.

While you’re likely to be using big courier firms, this doesn't mean it's impossible that your parcel could go missing, though the fact you’ve done it through a discounter shouldn’t increase the chance of that. However always think twice before sending irreplaceable items anyway (and consider insurance).

Yet if the worst happens, it can be bureaucratically more difficult as you should first go to the middleman - the discounter. The company should give you a claim form from the main carrier. It's up to them to deal with any enquiries, and sometimes these are understaffed so be sure to chase things up. Weigh this up before deciding what to do.

2. What if these companies go bust?

If one of these middleman companies goes bust after you've placed an order, it's likely to have little impact as long as your order has already been referred to the mainline courier (this usually happens a couple of hours after you've placed it).

However, should your parcel not arrive or be damaged in transit, sadly it may be impossible to make a claim for compensation, as these have to go through the account holder.

As with all parcel delivery services, unexpected problems can arise so it's about finding the best balance between lowest price and established reputation that you're comfortable with.

This system hasn't been tried and tested, so we can't guarantee it works this way - please let us know how you've got on in the forum discussion.

3. What about the service?

There’s no problem with the delivery service - well, no more than if you’d used the big company direct that is. This is because you're getting the same service as you’d get if you went direct.

However, there's some negative feedback from MoneySavers (see the discussion) as some discount courier services can be slow to respond to enquiries and sort out compensation claims. Usually this isn't for want of trying; they are small operations and find it tough staying on top of things at busy times.

Therefore it’s a question of balance between price and service. This is a decision you need to make, depending on what you’re sending.

4. Always check who the delivery company is

Finally, make sure you only go with a delivery company you've heard of and are happy to use. If there's only a few pennies difference, it may be better to go with the established company with a reputation than a totally unknown name.

If you have delivery problems and are forced to take extra time off work for redelivery, it's possible to get compensation - see the Failed Delivery - Fight Back guide for more.

BEST BUYS: UK delivery

Though we've given best buys below as a guide, always check who your deliverer is for yourself before buying and make sure you're happy with the company first.

Here are the top deals based on price, and also forum feedback. Prices include VAT and are based on a 30cm x 30cm x 30cm parcel; if you find any issues, or services no longer available, please report them to brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com.

Crucially, make sure you have read ALL of the key warnings before sending using any company.

• Items under 5kg: £5.99 (3-5 days).

  For a basic 3-5 day service, MyHermes costs £5.99 for items between 2-5kg. If you've a lighter parcel, it's £3.30 for items up to 1kg, and £4.19 for 1-2kg items.

  It's owned by Hermes UK, which operates its own independent courier network that delivers for online retailers including Next Directory, Debenhams and QVC. Do note feedback's mixed - please let us know how you've got on in the forum discussion.

• Up to 10kg: for £7.14 (3-5 days)
  
  Offering delivery in 3-5 days, MyHermes costs £7.14 for items between 5-10kg.

  Again, it's worth that noting MyHermes' feedback is mixed - see above for full info.
  

• Up to 30kg: from £8.34 (1-2 days)

  If you've a bigger parcel that weighs in at up to 30kg, ParcelsPlease* charges £8.34 via UPS standard service in 1-2 days. Do note that it'll cost more if the parcel's bigger than about 53cm³.
  
  

• Over 30kg? Let the couriers bid for your custom.
  
  There are several websites that are handy for arranging cheap delivery of larger packages. Anyvan*, uShip and Shiply allow couriers and deliverers to bid for your custom, which can mean good deals on moving large items.
  
  These services work the same way; they allow couriers and larger-scale hauliers to sell spare capacity in their vans and lorries. This means extra efficiency and cash for them, and a cheaper, greener service for you.

  While Anyvan doesn't charge any fees to users (it takes its fee from the transport company instead), uShip and Shiply do so always ensure you factor these in before you accept a bid; see uShip's fees and Shiply's fees.

  Anyvan and uShip have good feedback from forumites but Shiply's feedback is mixed. Please share your experiences in the Cheap Parcel Delivery discussion.

• PayPal Royal Mail service
  
  The main selling point of eBay's Royal Mail postage is convenience rather than price; if you've a printer at home you can print postage labels straight from your PayPal payment page, paying conveniently by PayPal.
  
  For items that'll fit in a post box it works brilliantly, as you can just print, stick and post; see more info.
  

BEST BUYS: International delivery

Though we've given best buys below as a guide, always check who your deliverer is for yourself before buying and make sure you're happy with the company first.

With international postage, Royal Mail's generally cheapest for small packages, but gets expensive for items over 1kg. Its prepaid C3 envelopes for up to 500g can be bought in the Post Office or from its online shop for £6.85 (worldwide postage), delivered in 1-2 working days.

The cost to send parcels internationally depends on the destination. Yet the following services are usually the cheapest, or among them. Below are examples of delivery costs based on a 30cm x 30cm x 30cm parcel, though these can vary depending on size and destination so always check. Ensure you’ve read the key warnings before sending this way.

It's worth noting that if you're sending or receiving parcels from overseas, you may have to pay extra tax or duty charges, depending on what you're sending. So always check this first - find more info on the HMRC website.

• Cheapest Europe Delivery: Berlin. 2-3 days, 10 kg
  
  The cheapest service is Worldwide Parcel Services* at £14.99 for DHL European Road service in 2-3 days, whilst ParcelsPlease* is £15 for UPS Europe by Road delivery.

  Then Collectmyparcel is £20.44 with DHL Euro Plus in 3-5 days, plus you'll get a further 5% off all European and International deliveries if you sign up for its free account, bringing it to £19.42. The offer's scheduled as ongoing, and you can use it as many times as you like. Alternatively, P4D is £20.44 for DHL's service in 3-4 days.

• Cheapest Worldwide Delivery: New York. 2-4 days, 10 kg

  Worldwide Parcel Services* is £33.50 via DHL in 2-4 days; then Transglobal Express is £36.43 via UPS Express Saver in 1-3 days.

  Next, ParcelsPlease* is £43.40 via UPS Express Saver in 2 days, but use code EXPRESS10 for 10% off all Express imports and exports, making it £39.06. It's valid on international deliveries via UPS Express Saver by Air, UPS Express by Air and DHL Express Worldwide services until 31 Dec 2011.

• Then P4D offers an economy express service in 3-4 days for £44.14 (the courier isn't specified).

If you use any of these, please let other MoneySavers know how it goes in the forum discussion.