sara started this topic @ 10:46 on 05/03/2004
Hi All
We're a small start-up and are looking for a reliable delivery service. We import from the US so we need a company that can handle customs clearance and import procedures. In addition, we send out goods to customers in the UK and mainland Europe. A bonus would be a service which could deliver and pick up outside office hours because we're still working full-time until the business takes off and therefore not at home during the day when deliveries arrive. (This is probably asking too much, I know! Alternatively, a company with a depot in south London or the City so that we can collect and drop off ourselves would be a solution.)
Because we're a start-up, we don't yet have a high volume - probably two or three deliveries a month - but this will increase over the next year.
We've been using Parcelforce but they're just a joke! Stuff has gone missing or taken twice as long to arrive, and their customer service is practically useless! [

!]
Thanks!
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
Clementine | 05/03/2004 11:11 AM
For international deliveries Fedex are hard to beat.
For nationwide deliveries TNT Express are also hard to beat. You could also use TNT International for the european deliveries as they are pretty good too.
Incoming freight is a different issue as there are many more issues to consider. Fedex could bring your stuff in if it's urgent and small, but it will cost you. If you are importing in bulk it is better to find an agent from someone like Danzas/DHL for example.
For all of these options though, out of hours pickups will be a problem unless you live right next door to a depot. Having said that, these companies have many depots around the country so you might be lucky.
HTH
Clem.
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
sara | 05/03/2004 12:12 PM
Thanks Clem. I've looked at TNT but they're a bit pricey - even their economy service (to Europe) works out at over half the value of the goods we're sending!
Thanks anyway, looks like I need to find a small company or something.
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
Clementine | 05/03/2004 02:46 PM
I know a great smaller company who are very efficient and are good value for money, but they are based near me at Heathrow.
Is that anywhere near you?
Also, if you are sending small goods that are not of great value, you are going to struggle sending them to europe cheaply. You will need a reliable service to your customers in europe, and I would only trust someone like Fedex/TNT maybe even DHL, but they do have a relative cost to consider.
Every courier will have a minimum charge before calculating weight charges so you may find this to be a problem.
Good luck though, sorry to be negative.
Clem.
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
sara | 05/03/2004 04:07 PM
We're in south east London so we're not too far from Heathrow. Would appreciate the details of the company you know about.
Our goods have a minimum value of around £250 but they're quite bulky. I priced a parcel on the TNT site and it was about £150! Most of our orders will be sent within the UK, but we do need to find a reliable delivery service to mainland Europe. I've just had so many bad experiences with Parcelforce that I really don't want to use them again - certainly not for sending goods overseas.
Thanks for your help anyway - it's not negative, all advice is useful!
Sara
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
Clementine | 05/03/2004 10:42 PM
Sounds good.
Well their name is Flight Air International and their number is 01753 686393. Ask for Simon and tell him Clem gave them your name. They have a web-site at www.flightair.co.uk.
I haven't used them for a while but they are great and not as expensive as TNT etc. They have online parcel tracking too which was very helpful.
Hope that proves to be of interest.
Clem.
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
sara | 08/03/2004 09:08 AM
Thanks Clem - sorry I haven't got back sooner but had hectic weekend!
Will give FAI a call soon. I've heard of them before - I remember the website!
Thanks again for your help.
S
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
actionscript | 08/03/2004 12:39 PM
Hi we use [url="http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/click?p=14672&a=967634&g=94545"]Parcel2Go[/url] click on name to go to website, has online costings and is next day delivery, backed up by the best UK couriers next day from 8.99 plus VAT, they also do worldwide
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
RJ@2D | 11/03/2004 08:35 PM
i run a courier business in South Wales (no good to you sadly), I can provide you with some good recomendations, need a bit more info to say who will be best for you.
Do you need same-day, next-day or non-priority (upto a week) delivery?
What is max size of consignments? plus average size?
Whats your post code? first part should do
alternatively mail me directly and I can help you out.
RE: Can anyone recommend a good delivery service?
Catherine | 12/03/2004 10:16 AM
For customer service I would say DHL are hard to beat. They actually went on a plane on a saturday morning to remove some goods which I urgently did not want to leave the country (major cock up [:o)]) just before take off and delivered it all back to my door and gave me a full refund!
Don't know how they would compare £ wise with smaller companies though...
www.getshirt-e.co.uk
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