DSF

I have spent a bit of time looking into couriers - who knew there were so many now?! Prices vary as do the services offered ........ which can be very different to the service actually received. I'm sure we've either heard of or have experienced some horror stories! I was wondering who you would recommend for price and service ........ and likewise, who do you avoid using at all cost! As a start-up I have absolutely no idea on volume but recognise the importance of a reliable service. So, who is your courier of choice?

Royal Mail for me.

I worked for 11 years for Hermes as a self employed courier and wouldn't touch them with a bargepole!

DPD Local. Hands down.

DPD are the best we have used, we now use APC because they give us a 5pm collection time, touch wood we've had no major issues with them.

As the saying goes:

"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"

so you will find horror stories with all of them and, as another with experience of working for a (different) parcel company, I could probably write a book on what goes on.

However, another vote here for DPD. They have the best system where the addressee gets an e-mail or text giving them a one hour time indication of their delivery.This means a householder doesn't have to wait around all day listening for a knock at the door and they also have the choice of deferring the delivery until another day or having it left with a neighbour, etc.

If you are new to sending stuff out then you do not know what volumes you will be sending and will be best served going through a broker such as Interparcel. You can send next day through them for £5.99 + VAT if you use one of the DPD drop off points. There are a few in your area which you can check on the DPD website. This also means you are not hanging around for a driver to collect from you.

Hermes is cheapest but slow and probably not worth the stress. For small items we use the Royal Mail.

Parcel2go, covers everything really if you are just starting out. Parcelforce for me as they are easier on the weight / size & price, they have started doing the text delivery alerts-about time too.

If your customer is in no rush or wants to play "Where did you leave my parcel?" definitely Hermes

DPD for me, but I only ship larger higher value parcels ( garments) so I wouldn't know who is best for smaller items. You can either have them collect or get good discounts by taking to a local drop off ( usually a branch of Halfords).

We use DPD local, we have a collection each day at approx 4pm. Been using them a while now with very few problems. The good thing is the customer gets an email or text giving them a 1 hour delivery slot meaning they don't have to wait in all day.

DPD or DPD Local for me for bulk items. Less than £5.00 for 20 kilos across any number of boxes.

If I were sending D2C then I would probably use Royal Mail just because of their network

We receive alot through DPD and DPD local, and they are always on time and friendly.

We don't send enough by courier to warrant a collection, so if we send by courier, we always use UPS as their collection point is nearer for us, than DPD. Never had an issue, and 24 hours seems to be standard, even if sent using 3 day service (in my experience).