Courier with flexible collection times needed urgently!

[clairemackaness]

Hi guys,

As you know I work full time and also run my painting business. I have a large painting that is too big to take to the post office and need to get it couriered.

Only trouble is I'm rarely in to sign it over. Hubby is often in some mornings but only for short time frames, i.e 7am - 9am or 9am - 1pm and I'm finding most companies only collect between 2pm - 6pm (massive gap when nobodys in and even if I took it to work, I'm only there until 5pm!).

Can anyone advise me? Poor DarrenC is waiting very patiently for his new painting.

[UK2004]

Try Citilink give thema call they might eb able to sort something out for you.

[clairemackaness]

I've fixed the issue for now, just paid an extra surcharge for a saturday delivery as Stu is home tomorrow to pass the parcel on.

It's good to have a fall back company though so keep those recommendations coming.

Claire

[UK2004]

I've had to look through a lot as I want things arriving without being kicked about and getting their next day, many distirbutors have sent me large consignments and some small so I've had an idea of who provides what quality service, CityLink have been exceptionally good and polite and things arrive as they should, in shop condition.

[coxadmin]

I also use Citylink and am happy with the service I'ce had.

My husband works for Parceline as a driver and one of the reasons such companies prefer to do afternoon collections is that their vans are full of parcels to be delivered inj the mornings. By the afternoon the van is emptier.

[Whistle Ink]

Parcelline are not that good in my experience so far. Once they said one parcel was held at depot and hadn't been loaded for next day service and another time they didn't leave any cards for the customer because the 'driver might have ran out'!!!

I didn't get a sorry from them and my customers weren't happy either. Also the online tracking I find isn't too quick to update. Another time a parcel delivered in the morning and yet it showed up on tracking around evening.

Might just be me.

[coxadmin]

Parcelline are not that good in my experience so far. Once they said one parcel was held at depot and hadn't been loaded for next day service and another time they didn't leave any cards for the customer because the 'driver might have ran out'!!!

I didn't get a sorry from them and my customers weren't happy either. Also the online tracking I find isn't too quick to update. Another time a parcel delivered in the morning and yet it showed up on tracking around evening.

Might just be me.

I think the service you get from any one driver is down to that driver - many Parceline drivers are franchises who are paid per stop so their number one priority is to get as many stops done as possible.

My husband is an employee who cares about what he does (but I do know within his depot he's a rare breed) and has done his job for nearly 20 years. One of my husband's customers kicked up a big fuss when he was moved to a different route and the level of service dropped significantly. Parceline had no choice but to put him back on the route - suited my husband as the client always offered him a coffee and has become a friend of mine and also is one of my suppliers.

I think Parceline is like everyone else - there will be some drivers who give good service and others who will give bad and that applies to every parcel service and many other industries.

[Whistle Ink]

many Parceline drivers are franchises who are paid per stop

Oh right didn't know this. I guess I have just got bad ones so far!! The telephone support when you have a problem though is still far from good though.

If I had a choice to use someone else I would. Unless it was your husband that was delivering :D

[Hedgehog Toys]

Royal mail are still cheapest for small parcel though but i guess you get a worse service..... :roll:

[UK2004]

I find Royal Mail very good for special and recorded deliveries its just the heavy items that I need to courier.

[coxadmin]

many Parceline drivers are franchises who are paid per stop

Oh right didn't know this. I guess I have just got bad ones so far!! The telephone support when you have a problem though is still far from good though.

If I had a choice to use someone else I would. Unless it was your husband that was delivering :D

I use CityLink for my own parcels and I have also had problems with Parceline's main customer service number.

[clairemackaness]

It's only large paintings that I need a courier for, most of them go throught the post office.

Parceline are useless at delivering though, they always leave a card because I'm out and when I phone to arrange re-delivery you get an automated system, telling you that it will be delivered tomorrow. The card has a section you can fill in and stick in your window to say leave with a neighbour, but they never do even if it's stuck over the middle of the door with gaffer tape (I've tried it!). Thats if they even come. Sometimes the card has been stuck on the door for over a week and I've called every day!

[KM-Tiger]

As you know I work full time and also run my painting business. I have a large painting that is too big to take to the post office and need to get it couriered.
Take a look here:-

http://www.thenca.co.uk/

I use their local member and as they are a small company the service is friendly and helpful. Certainly requesting pickup at a particular time would be no problem for my local firm.

Their rates are not the cheapest, but they are reasonable, and it's not cheap you want.

[clairemackaness]

Thanks for that, just found a great one, based down the road. I'll try them out next time.

[boro97]

have you tried buisness post they are a few quid cheaper than most couriers

[clairemackaness]

No, this was the first time I needed to use a courier.

[EDS]

Hi Guys

My brothers Girl Friends parents run a same day courier business they have a large fleet, and take care of your parcels unlike a lot of couriers. Very reliable and friendly check out their website http://www.jklonlinecouriers.co.uk/ or give them a call on 020 8386 0998 no problems if you tell them I recommended them.

thanks.

Michael Turner
EDS
http://www.elegantds.co.uk

[same day city courier]

It's only large paintings that I need a courier for, most of them go throught the post office.

Parceline are useless at delivering though, they always leave a card because I'm out and when I phone to arrange re-delivery you get an automated system, telling you that it will be delivered tomorrow. The card has a section you can fill in and stick in your window to say leave with a neighbour, but they never do even if it's stuck over the middle of the door with gaffer tape (I've tried it!). Thats if they even come. Sometimes the card has been stuck on the door for over a week and I've called every day!


Hello there i run a large wheel base high roof movano so large paintings no problem, for a more accurate price you could email me pick up and drop off address details, as a rough guide i charge 85 pence a mile, I'm based in cambridgeshire but travel all over UK, long distance not a problem. my customer service is second to non if no answer at delivery address ill ring to see where you'd like the goods to be left.

[Net Links]

Hi

Why not try our website it offers a low cost dedicated service for sameday and next day parcels,

I always say paying a little bit more will always give you the service you want,

Most next day companies are not worried about the end user because once the parcel is in the system it is theirs,
and it mostly means you have to run to them to get it if you have missed them, which takes out the "delivery" out of their title.

Paying a little bit more with us could provide the same driver to pick up your parcel and delivering it to you in one go which insures the saftey of the parcel and more reasurrance for you.

www.net-couriers.co.uk (http://www.net-couriers.co.uk)

Kind Regards

Simon

[clairemackaness]

Thanks Simon but you have actually dug up a really old post. I stopped the painting business 2 years ago. I did however discover a lovely courier company via UKBF who I still use on the rare occasion I need to send something large.

Sorry