Shipping to Germany - Are there any "cheap" tracked options?

[Nickdavis87]

We are starting to see growth in our German sales as we are growing sales on their platforms, one thing we struggle with is postage, we currently send with Royal Mail standard Airmail but find that we are getting a lot of questions for tracking. Now looking at Royal Mail it's going to be about £8 to send to Germany tracked, baring in mind our items are only 200-500 grams and cost about £12-25 this £8 seems a lot.

We can send within the Uk with myhermes for £2.20 on a 2 day service, with this in mind I have been thinking about sending our items from the Uk to Germany in a big box next day for approx £1 per item and then paying someone or a company to ship within Germany with maybe Myhermes, I am sure the total cost per item would come out less than £5 per item. Anyone done this?

 

[Pish_Pash]

Last year I was in dialogue with a company called Future Pro, their prices to Germany were almost half the Royal MAil's 'over the counter' (retail) prices - for example for 500g Royal Mail track & signed was £8.68...their price was £4.49. Even bigger savings were to be had to the States ...for example 250g Royal Mail £8.68, their price was £3.99) ...these were quoted March 2014...so not sure what's happened since then, but probably worth checking our (it's on my todo list for this quarter)

 

[Nickdavis87]

I am actually waiting on a call back from them, their email bounced so interested to see what they can offer.

DPD have a 3-4 day service coming up at about £5.50 to Germany

 

[Soopadoubled]

I'd second DPD - they have some great rates to Germany, and they're rolling out their 1-hour notification service there as they have a pretty strong network there. It really depends on volumes as to whether they would be a viable option.

 

[FuturePro]

Nick apologies that your email to FuturePro Logistics got bounced back. Thank you for bringing it to my attention I am on the case to rectify the address issue. All our other emails & web site work just fine.
I have called you and left a message.

 

[japancool]

@FuturePro do we need large volumes to use your service?

 

[Jayser100]

I've just signed up with Future Pro following a tip-off on this forum. Our service will start in a few days time and I'll let you know how we get on. It is certainly cheaper, especially to the US where their prices are unbelievable - around £2.50 for tracked parcels! That means I will be able to drop my US Amazon prices by around $10.00 per pair of sunglasses, and that will allow me to be far more competitive out there.

 

[Pish_Pash]

That was my tip ....I found out about this early last year, but a couple of things put me off...

1. There was (at least back then) a £5.00 collection charge....I didn't have sufficient volume to be paying that back then
2. it wasn't clear when the collection would take place ...random, set time? (such is the way I run my business, I can't be held in waiting on someone to collect 'at some point throughought the day'...I don't need an exact time, but afternoon or morning would be a start!)
3. it wasn't clear how I'd get the tracking number (to email customers) & therefore how I could weave them into my existing order process flow.

On the whole whilst the prices were attractive, there wasn't a whole lot of information available...I did ask the contact but never really got satisfactory answers

I agree with the competitive win though, some of the high value items I send to the USA will be far more competitve (indeed I could build the postage into the price & offer free postage) therefore I look forward to hearing how you get on!

 

[Jayser100]

Most of what we ship are untracked packets - initially, we're going to trial the new service on tracked packets only and maintain our Royal Mail business collection for the rest. If they turn out to be rubbish we can quickly switch back to using RM for everything. If they are good then we'll switch the whole lot as all of their prices are cheaper. They have told me that they will collect late afternoon, however their initial quote was based on using City Link which of course isn't going to happen now. They are using UK Mail instead. The main downside I can see is that they can't do RM Special Delivery packets on a next day, because you lose a day whilst they sort them in their warehouse in Reading. That means we'll have to take Expedited's down to the local Post Office, which of course costs more because we will have to pay the full whack. We don't do many of these to be fair, and the PO is only about a mile away in the local village so it isn't too much bother. it will give me an excuse for a quick trip out of the office!

 

[Pish_Pash]

Just called them again...they're saying 100 packets is the 'crossover point' where it becomes worthwhile (opn account for less than this they charge £6.00 per collection)....most of my sales are UK (where Royal Mail are more competitive) & of those that are international, only about half are to those countries where their savings are compelling)...therefore I'll probably not be saving that much until i grow to the point where I have 100 packets per week to the USA, France & germany. The main worry for me is to generate tracking numbers you have to open a 'world options' account ...this is an extra admin 'hop' in the dispatch process & I'm not sure how well that will integrate with my existing processes, but certainly the savings to the US are compelling enough to consider trialing.

 

[Jayser100]

Their rates do vary from country to country but they are all cheaper to some extent. As I understand it, with the tracked stuff all that happens is that you have to fill in a spreadsheet (I already have the template) with details of the tracked stuff and keep it for your own records / checking.

The other thing I like about their US service is that they get the packages to the States quickly, then the USPS deliver the item, so you're not relying on some backwater 'man with a van' to get it there at the other end. At £2.50 per pop instead of £8.00 it could be a game changer in the States for my business.

 

[kulture]

I used them for a while for last year for their untracked US service. They bill weekly. They weigh every single parcel and charge you based on their weight. I had two problems with them. Firstly their weights did not always match mine. Secondly a significant percentage of my customers messaged asking me where their orders were. It took far longer for parcels to get to the US than the Royal Mail. All parcels eventually arrived, and it was a cheap service. I fine Royal Mail Max sort better and cheaper.
For TRACKED however it would be hard to beat them.

 

[Pish_Pash]

When I spoke to future pro, I asked them how I get the tracking number - they said I'd need to get my tracking number via worldoption (which sounds to me like it'll add time to what for me is an existing slick/fast process I already have in place), so I 'registered' on world options website ...someone from worldoptions then called me quickly about my enquiry, but had no clue what I was on about wrt future pro ...watch this space!

 

[FuturePro]

Hopefully I can clear up any misunderstandings. FuturePro provides our customers with valuable cost savings against Royal Mail ever week, we focus on Tracked International and Tracked, and provide a complete range of mail options including all UK services.
To understand the savings available potential customers go to our website and request a "Postage Savings Quote".
How it works. We collect customers mail at an agreed time everyday (or less frequently if more practical). Collections are ideally FREE. However if volumes are low we may need to agree a collection contribution.
We have a number of collection suppliers which we will agree with you prior to start (depending on volume and location).
Tracking numbers are provided directly to our customers daily to their email.
I hope this helps.
Mark

 

[Pish_Pash]

Tracking numbers are provided directly to our customers daily to their email.

...could you add more meat here (since it's future pro's tracked services that offer the most savings). Do you outsource the 'provision of tracking numbers' for the packages to worldoptions?

So, for example would a merchant need to login to worldoptions, to request a physical collection & be assigned the tracking numbers required for the parcels?

 

[FuturePro]

World Options is one of a range of daily collection options available to us.
We will agree with you the most efficient collection option for you, based on volume & location.

Your tracking numbers are provided by us daily to you email one each tracked item has been received, processed and dispatched.
Hope this helps.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Sorry it's still not clear.

Let's say I have 10 packages, going to the USA, France & Germany

Who do I contact to get them collected? (when I spoke to future pro, I took away from the chat that I'd have to book a collection)

Ok, a man turns up at my door & I hand over the packages...but with no tracking numbers on them yet? (If so, I must them wait until I can I tell my customers their tracking number? i.e. until Future Pro have emailed me back with the tracking numbers)

How is everything correlated in your supplied 'tracking number' email ...by postcode? In other words postcode N20 8LX = tracking number 12345678 etc.). You say it's daily, but with what slippage? i.e. if I hand over the sack to the chap collecting , will it not be until the end of the following day before I have the tracking numbers?

What was the worldoptions providing the tracking numbers all about? (doesn't everyone use the same process?)

many thanks

 

[FuturePro]

OK, in this particular example.
Assuming our customer was using our World Options collection service. They would log on and book a collection (Sacks or Parcels, your choice).

Tracking is managed via an Excel file you would email to us. This would simply include the customers name / address details. From this we identify the package and provide you - by return the tracking number.
I hope this helps.

 

[marcinex]

[/QUOTE]I have been thinking about sending our items from the Uk to Germany in a big box next day for approx £1 per item and then paying someone or a company to ship within Germany with maybe Myhermes, I am sure the total cost per item would come out less than £5 per item. Anyone done this?[/QUOTE]

I can help you with this service if you want. Shipping direct from Germany by DHL full tracked. Delivery usually in next day after shipping in Germany.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Earlier you said this....

Your tracking numbers are provided by us daily to you email one each tracked item has been received, processed and dispatched.
Hope this helps.

but now this...

Assuming our customer was using our World Options collection service. They would log on and book a collection (Sacks or Parcels, your choice).

Tracking is managed via an Excel file you would email to us.

How many options do you have?

Also, assuming a customer is not using your worldoptions option (btw, the chap I spoke to at world options was not familiar with future pro), how about my earlier question...

Ok, a man turns up at my door & I hand over the packages...but with no tracking numbers on them yet?

[snip]....

You say [emails with tracking numbers] it's daily, but with what slippage? i.e. if I hand over the sack to the chap collecting , will it not be until the end of the following day before I have the tracking numbers?

It seem quite hard to get all the info!

 

[Pish_Pash]

I can help you with this service if you want. Shipping direct from Germany by DHL full tracked. Delivery usually in next day after shipping in Germany.

there are lot of people who can 'help' ...but at what cost? How much would a 200g package to Germany cost using the service you can help with?

 

[marcinex]

there are lot of people who can 'help' ...but at what cost? How much would a 200g package to Germany cost using the service you can help with?

Up to 2 kg can be 5 pounds with full tracked. Can be cheaper for that small letter we can find soultions.

 

[Pish_Pash]

Up to 2 kg can be 5 pounds with full tracked. Can be cheaper for that small letter we can find soultions.

So £5.00 for 200g 'large letter' fully tracked?

What's your criteria when you say ..."Can be cheaper for that small letter "

 

[marcinex]

That depends what size is you parcel and do you need tracking. With tracking up 2 kg is 5 pounds.

 

[Pish_Pash]

That depends what size is you parcel and do you need tracking.

That's why I was asking...what's the criteria....you're making it hard! Or are you saying that if tracking is needed...then £5.00 is as low as it can be done for?

With tracking up 2 kg is 5 pounds.

Yes, you've already said this....but you also said it could be cheaper for smaller parcels...so what;'s the size/weight criteria for smaller items?

 

[marcinex]

That's why I was asking...what's the criteria....you're making it hard! Or are you saying that if tracking is needed...then £5.00 is as low as it can be done for?



Yes, you've already said this....but you also said it could be cheaper for smaller parcels...so what;'s the size/weight criteria for smaller items?

I prefer to offer you service with the tracking number so I have proof that I have shipped your parcel and you can check it and is also insured.
Cheaper can be when we send normal letter without tracking. Size can be 30x25x5(high) cm up to 400 g for 3,50 pounds
But I am always using with tracking.

 

[marcinex]

So £5.00 for 200g 'large letter' fully tracked?

What's your criteria when you say ..."Can be cheaper for that small letter "

How much cost you shipping to France?

 

[Mail Workshop]

We are starting to see growth in our German sales as we are growing sales on their platforms, one thing we struggle with is postage, we currently send with Royal Mail standard Airmail but find that we are getting a lot of questions for tracking. Now looking at Royal Mail it's going to be about £8 to send to Germany tracked, baring in mind our items are only 200-500 grams and cost about £12-25 this £8 seems a lot.

We can send within the Uk with myhermes for £2.20 on a 2 day service, with this in mind I have been thinking about sending our items from the Uk to Germany in a big box next day for approx £1 per item and then paying someone or a company to ship within Germany with maybe Myhermes, I am sure the total cost per item would come out less than £5 per item. Anyone done this?

Hi Nick, which e-commerce platform are you using?

 

[apricot]

Their rates do vary from country to country but they are all cheaper to some extent. As I understand it, with the tracked stuff all that happens is that you have to fill in a spreadsheet (I already have the template) with details of the tracked stuff and keep it for your own records / checking.

The other thing I like about their US service is that they get the packages to the States quickly, then the USPS deliver the item, so you're not relying on some backwater 'man with a van' to get it there at the other end. At £2.50 per pop instead of £8.00 it could be a game changer in the States for my business.

Did you really get £2.50 per mail for tracked service? It sounds extremely cheap.

 

[Nickdavis87]

Hi Nick, which e-commerce platform are you using?

We are currently making the move to Magento

 

[KevinRockett]

Apricot, the prices start at £2.99 for 0-250g not £2.50. The rates and info are shown on the FPL website in outline but in more specific detail at etail-usa.com.

Hope this is useful...

 

[Mail Workshop]

We are currently making the move to Magento

Where are you based? We currently integrate with around 50 Magento stores, but only work with high volume, regular shipments:

http://www.parcelhub.co.uk/parcelhub-magento-shipping-software/

 

[KevinRockett]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that the service is based on directly-injecting into ups/usps delivery confirmation tracked product with tracking info at usps tracking website.

The service is therefore typically viewed as "domestic" by the US end customers because they are tracking parcels at the familiar "home" usps tracking site. Delivery times are 5-6 working days from UK.

Hope this is useful info...