Cheap Parcel Delivery

When should I use a courier service?

Most of us link instinctively the need to send anything with a trip to the Post Office. Yet for the price-conscious, the internet 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 1kg?

  Royal Mail is generally still cheapest for sending cards and letters and is competitive for small parcels under 1kg (use its Price Finder - check dimensions carefully). The price jumps for heavier parcels - anything over 2kg costs about £13 with tracking. You could halve your costs by using one of the services in our Best Buys below.

• Do you need it there fast?

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

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 large companies do. These discounted courier services work as middlemen, who bulk-buy postage slots from big delivery agencies, then sell them to the public.

They're usually online-based and notable companies include Worldwide Parcel Services*, P4D* and MyParcelDelivery*. Before you use any company, read ALL our key warnings below and see our Best Buys to find out which one is best for your package.

You can usually book a pick-up for the next day, depending on how early you email the postage form. But same-day pick-up is often available, provided you meet the daily cut-off time. It's usually before or around midday, but can be later.

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. Remember, you'll be dealing generally with the middleman company, not the courier itself.

Are they always cheaper?

It's always worth checking Royal Mail and courier services, UPS or DHL, against discounted courier services, just in case they are offering a stonking deal that beats their price.

How big can my parcel be?

Couriers calculate costs based on the size and weight of items. However, discount courier companies tend to offer flat-rate prices based around DHL and Parcelforce's standard maximum dimensions. As a rough guide, these are are generally about:

Max length 150cm, max weight 30kg.

Of course, it varies depending on the company, so check first as some may offer larger sizes. If your parcel outguns these measurements, you may have to use a specialist courier. Some services also go by volume. To calculate the volume of your parcel in cubic metres, it's width times length, times height (all in centimetres), divided by 1,000,000. See best buys for options.

Get your packaging right

Poor packing may 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 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 safety guidelines mean goods of this weight should be carried by at least two people. This means you may need a specialist service - these may be offered, but will generally 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 times height, times width (all in centimetres), divided by 5,000. This gives you the volumetric weight in kilograms.

• Banned and 'no compensation' items

  Couriers have a list of 'forbidden' items they won't deliver, so your items may be inspected 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 are generally only 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 and use free cardboard boxes from supermarkets.

  If you run out of bubble wrap or the item isn't very delicate, pad with screwed up newspaper. Some even recommend using popped popcorn (buy kernels in bulk, cook the popcorn without oil and let it cool). If you're sending internationally, watch out as some countries have tight controls on importing food.

  If you live near a large post office, look inside for packing materials - forumites have reported 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 generally, or downloaded from the web and printed out. If the form isn't filled in properly, compensation claims may be invalidated.

  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 and delivery times

  This sounds obvious, but make sure you're going to be in for the whole of the day if you can. If you miss it, you'll probably have to repay.

  Most couriers will attempt delivery about three times at the destination address before returning items to the sender, but always double check. Also make sure you include a return address, in case problems arise.

Do I need insurance?

Since you're getting the equivalent of the courier company's full price service, you get the same protection, which can be about £50 per item. It varies, though, with some offering much lower than this, so always check.

Additional cover is generally available for a small surcharge, and if you have concerns you won't be covered enough, it may be worth adding. Always check any policy exclusions before you buy to ensure your item's covered.

For example, you may be able to cover your item up to £500 for an extra £5, and up to £1,000 for £10. If you pay for this, make sure it's on the order confirmation.

Warning! Check before you send

Make sure you read these key warnings before you buy:

If parcels go missing, you've few rights

While you're likely to be using big courier firms, parcels do, on occasion, go missing. The fact you've done it through a discounter shouldn't increase the chance of this. Always think twice before sending irreplaceable items (and consider insurance).

If the worst happens, it can be a bit of a pain 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. Sometimes they're understaffed, so be sure to chase things up. Weigh this up before deciding what to do.

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 main courier (this usually happens a couple of hours after you've placed it).

However, should your parcel not arrive or be damaged in transit, it may not be possible 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.

What about the service?

You're getting the same service as you'd get if you went direct. However, we've seen some negative feedback from MoneySavers (see the forum 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're 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.

Always check the delivery company out

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

For an idea of customer service, an MSE poll run in December last year highlighted which of the big delivery firms have the best and worst feedback. You still need to read their terms and conditions carefully to make sure you're covered should something go wrong.

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 the delivery company for yourself before buying.

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 - prices fluctuate, so always check. If you find any issues, or services no longer available, please email brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com.

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

We've blagged 8% off your first order with discount courier service Parcel Hero* if you enter the code MSE8 at the checkout. There's no minimum spend but unfortunately the code is just for those who haven't sent a package via its service before.

It has competitive prices for packages of all sizes and with the discount you could make a saving, however it's still worth checking the delivery options below as they may still be able to beat the price Parcel Hero* quotes you.

It's essential that you measure and weigh your package accurately as you'll be charged more automatically if it's larger or heavier than you stated in the inital quote. You'll have an opportunity to appeal the extra charges if you have photographic proof that your package was within the dimesions and weight you stated. It's also key that you read its list of restricted items as well as those not covered by its insurance.

Standard delivery services

Items under 5kg

If it's under 1kg, Royal Mail is generally still cheapest for sending cards, letters and small parcels (use its Price Finder - do check dimensions carefully though). It's still worth checking out discount courier services live MyParcelDelivery* as you may be able to do better.

For items 1kg or over this, the cheapest is generally MyHermes, which runs its own delivery service directly. Go via Parcel2Go and MyHermes may work out cheaper for the same service.

It's owned by Hermes UK, whose network delivers for online retailers including Next Directory, Debenhams and ASOS. Feedback's mixed though - let us know how you get on in the forum discussion.

Up to 10kg

In this weight bracket, UPS Access Point via online discounter ParcelsPlease* is cheapest at the time of writing. Your parcel will also be protected up to the value of £60. If your items are more expensive than this, you can upgrade the amount covered for a fee.

 

Up to 30kg

If you've a bigger parcel, online discounter MyParcelDelivery* is a reseller that sells slots from delivery firms. It offers next day delivery of a 30kg parcel around the best prices we've seen.

Alternatively, Parcelsplease* charges around the same price, sent via delivery firm ParcelForce in 1-2 days.

Bidding delivery services

Over 30kg? Let the couriers bid for your custom

Several sites are handy for arranging cheap delivery of larger items. Anyvan*, Shiply and uShip allow couriers and deliverers to bid for your custom, which can mean good deals on moving big parcels.

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 and Shiply don't charge fees to users, uShip does so factor these in before you accept a bid. See uShip's fees.

Anyvan has good feedback generally from forumites but Shiply's feedback is mixed, while we've yet to hear much about uShip. Please share your experiences in the Cheap Parcel Delivery discussion.

Alternative delivery services

Ebay 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 eBay page. For items that'll fit in a post box, it works brilliantly - just print, stick and post. See more info.

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