DHL, UPS, FEDEX, TNT, Best delivery service?

[Unicornsandferriswheels]

Just seeking advice on which might be the best to go with for a luxury brand? Obviously service is paramount being a luxury brand, secondary is cost being a start up

To find rates I need to set up accounts with them all and I'm not at that stage yet with an idea of how much and how often I will be shipping initially. I just need an idea of who to look at and who to avoid...

Many thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Creamcrackered]

Never had a problem with UPS. Parcelforce damaged a couple of items I sent. If you are just starting out, you could look at using a parcel2go.

 

[Ashley_Price]

One deliveries are sent direct from our suppliers via courier, with the two main ones being UPS and DPD.

I have to give it to DPD because they will give an hour timeslot of when the item will be delivered. UPS refused to do this just saying it is out for delivery by the end of the day.

Also, for a time earlier this year, we had several problems with drivers not following delivery instructions (e.g. "Please use intercom to alert customer" or "Press Bell", deliveries marked clearly for No. 6 have gone to No. 4).

However, thankfully, these have since been sorted out. But still prefer DPD for the accurate parcel tracking.

 

[Unicornsandferriswheels]

Thank you, this is really helpful. I hadn't considered DPD and good to know re Parcelforce and damages as that wouldn't be very affordable if they damaged what I'm sending (handmade)

 

[Ashley_Price]

Let me make one thing clear here, though. For as many horror stories you will hear about different couriers you will also hear those who will have never had a problem (see @Creamcrackered above regarding UPS) with the same courier.

In a previous business and before email really took hold, we used to receive manuscripts from a book publisher to copy-edit and mark up ready for printing. We used a courier service for this - Initial Citylink (no longer in existence) - and we never had a problem with them in over three years.

Yet, if you look back through UKBF you will see lots of others who had endless problems with the same firm!

 

[bharris]

DPD are good and have good delivery tracking for your customers. One thing to watch out with UPS is they charge and extra fee for non business delivery address (£2 per parcel i think), so it your delivering to the public this can cost quite a bit more than you expect.

 

[charcinders]

I use TNT or FedEx for overseas shipments, and UPS's drop-off service for UK ones which I find is is convenient because you don't have to wait in for a driver to collect it.
I avoid DHL because they once lost a £5000 piece of kit. They sent it to the wrong address and couldn't be bothered to trace it.
Unless you are sending things out regularly I'd consider booking shipments through an agent because it will save you a fortune. Parcel2Go are OK, but I can recommend Transglobal in Wirral. I've used them for years and they give a really good service with good communications if something goes wrong.

 

[Paul Norman]

DPD consistently come out as best. Their service is still fairly unique, with the delivery van tracker so that your customers will known almost to the minute when the driver is arriving.

Most of the horror stories about couriers are over stated, however. All carriers will lose the occasional parcel, and most will try to not compensate you when it happens.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Just seeking advice on which might be the best to go with for a luxury brand? Obviously service is paramount being a luxury brand, secondary is cost being a start up

To find rates I need to set up accounts with them all and I'm not at that stage yet with an idea of how much and how often I will be shipping initially. I just need an idea of who to look at and who to avoid...

Many thanks for your thoughts!

Don't go opening an account just to test them out...

try them all out via www.transglobalexpress.co.uk

We use these all the time for all our parcels that we send... majority of the time we end up sending Via UPS

Depending on the product - insurance - size etc we've never actually paid more than £12

we sometimes take our parcels to a collection point around the corner from us - which saves us money... that service via UPS through transglobal costs us £6.49 + VAT

£8.49 + VAT if you book before 12.00pm and they'll collect same day too for £1

Never had any issues with this company - and will continue to use them until they do bugger up

 

[vibrantcolour]

If DPD appeals, then you may have difficulty as they primarily focus on large accounts. Their franchise operation Interlink Express uses the same backhaul network and 1hr tracking service, but has local businesses running the services who you deal with.

 

[bharris]

If DPD appeals, then you may have difficulty as they primarily focus on large accounts. Their franchise operation Interlink Express uses the same backhaul network and 1hr tracking service, but has local businesses running the services who you deal with.

Our Interlink who we use is now actually fully DPD (about 3 months ago) as they are gradually merging (closing) all Interlink operations and taking them in house with DPD. We have the same driver doing daily collections but he has a new van and polo shirt, other than that we wouldn't know there has been a change. You should be able to get a price to from them that betters the ones above.
How big and heavy are your products as this may change how much a courier charges some only take items upto 1 meter in size. Again watch-out for the UPS extra charge for a domestic delivery if you go with them. When you get your quotes make sure you have the full costings as they all seem to add a fuel surcharge and obviously VAT needs to be taken into account if your not registered. Parcelforce also add an account management fee of a few pounds per month.
You need to also make sure the items you are sending are not excluded from cover in there t&c's.

 

[Rob2012]

UPS are by far the best... 1000%

dpd are complete crap, parceforce terrible, dhl can be very cost efficient and good for some situations

 

[FreebieBoy34]

Just seeking advice on which might be the best to go with for a luxury brand? Obviously service is paramount being a luxury brand, secondary is cost being a start up

To find rates I need to set up accounts with them all and I'm not at that stage yet with an idea of how much and how often I will be shipping initially. I just need an idea of who to look at and who to avoid...

Many thanks for your thoughts!

My personal choice would have to be UPS... Never had an issue with them since I started acquiring their service. But then again, DHL is also great for they always deliver my package on time whenever I order something online...

 

[Ashley_Price]

As I say, one person's courier nightmare ("dpd are complete crap") is another person's best., ("DPD consistently come out as best")

At the end of the day it is which gives you the best service.

 

[Unicornsandferriswheels]

Thank you all, the replies are very helpful! I will definitely look into transglobal initially

 

[merc_fintail]

We have just recently used Trans-global express for a delivery of a 30kg box from Bangkok to Manchester. UPS was the courier and they were a pain in the ass but TGE dealt with all the issues and made it happen. They have a very good customer service line and are very helpful.

 

[Deleted member 268094]

Been using FedEx for International and Domestic since 2008 but they're service levels have dropped a bit lately there seems to be constant changes / updates to their systems which create niggling issues more than we'd like. Could be a temporary issue though so we are sticking with them for now.

Been impressed with DPD whenever I've personally received a delivery from them. Would also look at Transglobal if we do change.

Finally consider how you're chosen suppliers software integrates with whatever else you use to run your business.