OT - Parcels

[Alan]

Surely it IS a small village if carriers such as Parcelfarce consider it not big enough to have a depot anywhere near it.?

[Adrian C]

I had thought of a response something along the lines of

"due to some of our deliveries going missing, please do not leave items at number 9"

Which might be seen as petty and slightly inflamatory as it's not true, so I won't. Besides, we get on quite well with his wife...

[Graeme]

In message , pete writes

Not wouldn't - couldn't. Services such as passports and MVLs are highly prized, both for the footfall and income they generate and the 'value' they add to a sub post office.

[Graeme]

True enough, but it is still rarely used, and TBH, if I started receiving items PR for one individual, I wouldn't make a fuss, particularly if they became a regular customer of the PO :-)

[D.M.Chapman]

parcels??

Certain can't see any in Folkestone.

I've given up - I get stuff delivered to work and have a credit card registered there. Never had a problem with Citylink delivering to work but nothing but grief at home. Not sure if it's due to a better driver who actually gives a toss or if they are just careful not to annoy large companies...

Darren

[chris French]

Surely that is because they aren't allowed to though. I'm sure any sub-postmaster would love the business.

It seems somewhat ironic, but having moved from NW Leeds, to living in the middle of a reasonably sized village. On the whole the whole parcel thing is much more convenient for us.

Like Graemes, we live opposite a sub-post office, that also operates as the local delivery office, but also Parcel Force use it for leaving parcels for collection as well. So all pretty handy for us.

And as it happens, at least 3 of the main carriers have depots in surrounding areas - while they might be a bit further in miles than when we lived in Leeds, it's a quick drive to get to them if I need to.

[chris French]

In message , D.M.Chapman writes

The problem seems to be like all these sort of good ideas, they have yet to recruit enough pubs to the scheme. There are no UYL registered pubs within 20 miles of us, and there were 2 within 20 miles of our old one

IO think lots of these problems are down to drivers. CL is one ofmy favoured companies. Never had any problems with them. There depot isn't to far away, and being rural we are usually on early on their run.

[geoff]

In message , Mark writes

Sorry, that's simply not true (I do about £10,000pa with them), although I prefer to leave an instruction like "can leave in porch" - porches don't have a tendency to go shopping

APC will leave with a neighbour if you're not there by default, unless otherwise instructed

[The Medway Handyman]

Surely that should be;

Sally Likes The Cockwright Inn Tillet Herts

?

[The Medway Handyman]

Whats the village called?

[Pete Verdon]

end of my road is registered as a delivery point. Unfortunately though, it looks like I'd only be able to use it if the vendor explicitly offered, which I have never seen.

Pete

[Pete Verdon]

More the fact that large companies have a Goods Inwards department who are always open (at the times couriers operate), are ready to handle parcels easily with no fuss or delay, and are probably the destination for several parcels at once. A courier driver short of time and being paid x pence per parcel will love this, compared to a single packet for Mrs Miggins 20 miles from any other destination who always takes five minutes to answer the door and another ten to actually complete the transaction.

Pete

[Chris J Dixon]

What's the next unit after miles, light years?

I'm in a large village (pop 6,000) and the village post office is very handy for parcel collection, though I'm generally at home these days. Home Delivery Network drivers seem to work out when folk are at home, and adjust their visits accordingly. Other large carriers are miles away - I once had to collect an urgent parcel from a place nearly as distant as the original sender.

With the steady increase in on-line shopping, and the diversity of delivery firms, there surely has to be a workable business proposition for local pick up shops with long opening hours.

Chris

[Dave Liquorice]

Delivery

Who stole my 2?

I expect the stumbling block would be liability if something got lost or damaged. The courier would disclaim liability as they have delivered to the supplied address, which would leave your "corner shop" open to the claim.

One could argue that the corner shop could get the courier driver to wait as they check each parcel as even waiting 30 mins for that to happen would be quicker than doing all the drops themselves. But would you want the corner shop knowing what you had ordered from Anne Summers?

[Mark]

It is true. Don't call me a liar.

[ACE]

Maybe Anne Summers should offer the parcel drop service. Then no-one need be embarrassed about being seen going in there, as they could say they were collecting a parcel.

But would you want Anne Summers knowing what you'd ordered from Screwfix?

Owain

[Owain]

If Anne Summers were the parcel drop point people could pretend they were just picking up a parcel and wouldn't be embarrassed to go in.

But would you want Anne Summers knowing what you'd bought from Screwfix?

Owain

[Adam Aglionby]

Must be the google groups curse, but there is a business based on this between Paypoint and HDN

[Dave Liquorice]

None round here either. Looking at what is listed as "not accepting parcels" I suspect they have just imported a database of premises licensed to sell booze that can be consumed on said premises. Round here the golf club and the Masonic Hall are listed along with the hotels and pubs.

[Dave Liquorice]

use that?

Curiously I see Woolworths listed as one of the sellers that provide it as an option. Presumably "Shop Direct Home Shopping Limited. Registered number: 4663281. Registered office: 1st Floor, Skyways House, Speke Road, Speke, Liverpool L70 1AB." bought the name and brands after the orginal Woolworths went bust?