The winter holidays will be here before you know it! Meanwhile, people across the UK are still preparing to send their Christmas parcels to friends and family this year. Parcel shipment demand is through the roof. To deliver on time, we need to know which companies provide the most optimal solutions, what they charge, and know key cut-off dates. Parcel2Go is one of the biggest parcel delivery companies in the UK. Its closest competitor is fellow major UK player ParcelHero, but is followed by strong showings from global players ParcelCompare, Parcel Monkey, and Worldwide Parcel Services.
This year, Royal Mail remains the best value for money when sending smaller items under 1 kg. It provides regular first-class delivery on small packets at rates of £3.05 to £3.30. For sending heavier items or small parcels over 2 kg, Royal Mail takes care of that for you. They have something for everyone, from a full suite of services to do-it-yourself tools. With Christmas right around the corner, senders need to be aware of the immediate deadlines. That way, they can make sure their presents get there in time for all the holiday cheer.
Understanding Delivery Options and Costs
It can be confusing to navigate often unknown delivery options for many consumers. Royal Mail continues to be the carrier of choice, particularly for small goods and parcels. It has introduced a £3.40 untracked standard delivery as the minimum charge for delivery of large letters overseas. For small parcels under 2 kg, it includes second-class standard delivery from £3.50 to £3.99.
Gurpreet Chhokar, a spokesperson for Which?, said timely delivery will be essential during this busy peak season.
“The festive season is the busiest time of year for sending post and deliveries, and many of us will understandably be worried about whether important Christmas post will arrive on time.” – Gurpreet Chhokar, Which?
Companies like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer make the alternatives appealing to gift-buyers. Consumers love them too when looking for that hard-to-shop-for person. John Lewis offers free delivery when you spend more than £70. M&S meanwhile doesn’t pay for delivery until over £60. These services not only bring customers into stores, but they make gift-giving simpler by easily allowing customers to shop online.
For everyone who plans to post Christmas cards, that makes it even more important to know your last posting dates. Royal Mail has already declared December 17 the deadline for second-class delivery of Christmas cards to UK destinations. As the deadline draws near, mailers are encouraged to use advance planning to prevent last-minute scrambles that will likely lead to delays.
Royal Mail advises customers to consult the price finder on their website for the most up-to-date parcel delivery prices. Be sure to factor in postage date, too! This means senders are completely transparent before they send their products.
“I’m afraid it’s not good news to keep this item a surprise.” – Royal Mail
When shipping packages with other carriers, it is crucial to be aware of item-specific prohibitions. Evri doesn’t allow shipping of all kinds of goods including nail varnish, perfume and aftershave. Around the same time, DHL adds bans on high-value designer goods, antiques, and certain types of shoes. Knowing these limitations up front can help avoid added confusion in the delivery process.
Consumer Experiences and Satisfaction
Though millions of households depend on their local parcel delivery services to bring cheer during the holiday season, the experience can be frustrating. Citizens Advice has described it as one of the things that 15 million people faced issues with parcel delivery over the past few years. This statistic highlights the need for careful consideration and selection of a trusted service provider.
Taking a page from disruptors like Amazon and FedEx, which have both scored high on customer satisfaction surveys. That means they deserve your attention if you’re looking for great service as we approach this incredibly busy holiday season. For consumers wary of spending cash on sending gifts, MoneySavingExpert recommends including tick box descriptions of items when sending.
“Avoid general terms like ‘gift’ or ‘clothes’ and aim for something like ‘knitted woollen scarf, clothing’,” – Parcel2Go
This strategy is in the interest of avoiding any bumps in processing from parcel companies that tend to charge by size and weight. For one, retailers usually calculate costs based on the final cost of the item and not the size or weight of an item.