Cheap parcel delivery: how to send parcels for less

Parcel delivery in the UK is big business, and there are lots of UK-based and global companies that deliver our parcels and packages all over the country. 

So what do you need to think about? Most of us have sent a parcel, but have you always got the best deal? Again, not necessarily the cheapest but the highest value for money. Price is always going to play a part, but a cheap parcel delivery service might not have some of the benefits of a more expensive company. 

According to research, it’s always a good idea to send smaller parcels through Royal Mail, as they work out the cheapest for weight and size (under 1 kg for a small parcel size). After that, it might be better to compare the options. 

There are lots of choices — which company, where you drop it off, if the company picks it up, figuring out weights and dimensions, and so on. The easiest way of checking is via a comparison site.

When posting a parcel, there are quite a few factors involved when trying to lock down a decent price. You’ll need to check:

When buying online you can choose a different delivery address to your billing address. So if you are sending a present, for example, you can have it gift-noted and sent directly from the store to whomever you wish. It is nearly always cheaper to send a gift directly (some stores do gift wrap for a price), than get it sent to your own address then forward it on. And it’s made even better if the delivery cost is nothing. 

Some stores do completely free delivery for smaller items, like Currys PC World, Zalando, Carphone Warehouse, and ao. Lots of stores do free shipping over a certain amount, say £20-£50 like Amazon, but also a selection of stores have free delivery for ‘members’. 

You can join a free membership programme to gain free delivery and other perks like points or bonuses, giving the stores vital information about you and your shopping habits — adidas, H&M, Nike, and Foot Locker are just a few.

First things first, you need to pack your items properly. Wrap your items in bubble wrap or paper, pack them in a suitable box or bag, and fill the empty space too with old scrunched-up paper. This will keep the items secure inside the box. Badly packaged parcels are one of the main reasons things go wrong en route, as well as giving the wrong size and weight.

Measure your parcel with a tape measure if possible, and as it is unlikely you’ve got a package scale at home, just use a bathroom scale to weigh the package. Alternatively, have a look online for the weight of the item, most stores show the weight in the specifications. 

Another way of measuring the package is by using very handy apps — there are a few out there that act as a virtual tape measure using your smartphone’s camera. Check out CamToPlan on Google or Apple; there are others, but that one gets the best reviews.

If you are sending a selection of second-hand t-shirts, worth next to nothing, then probably not. But if you happen to be posting a family heirloom to your brother’s wedding in France, then I’d say yes. You’ll definitely need some insurance.

You will find that most courier companies offer insurance up to a certain amount, included in the fee. A lot of companies will offer £100-£200 compensation for lost or damaged parcels, but anything over that will need to be insured in another way. 

There are companies specialising in package insurance, for example Secursus, which covers everything from lost or stolen goods to damaged parcels. Often, expensive or fragile items are excluded from being insured by the courier, and the exclusions lists can be very long. But these insurance companies will cover such items, such as high tech items or expensive jewellery, up to the amount you want to cover them for, for a price.

Note that it is very important to keep hold of the shipping receipt, and to have proof of the value of the item, in case of any claims being made.

Everything has a comparison site nowadays, and parcel delivery is no different. Parcel delivery comparison sites work with various big name courier companies and make your search quicker and easier by searching for the best price for your package. 

It is always worth knowing about the company you are sending your parcel with, so do a bit of research before sending. Questions like: do they deliver internationally? Are they reliable? Can you have your parcel delivered faster with a certain courier - next day instead of two days? Can it be delivered on the same day even? 

The table below is made up of the bigger names in the market, and all of them have good reputations, and the savings you make with an unknown brand might not be worth it in the long run. These providers have made their names for being the best and most reliable out there. 

*Cost based on small parcel (Weight: 3kg, Size: 30 x 30 x 30cm) drop off to door next day delivery

Parcels go missing, it is a fact of life, either they can get lost in transit or some unscrupulous member of the public might take it from the doorstep. Considering how many parcels are sent each day it is quite uncommon, but it does happen. 

If an item being sent to you is lost in transit, your first thought might be to ask the courier for a refund, but actually it is the responsibility of the retailer to compensate you. Same goes if the item was left in a bin outside and is no longer there — you need to contact the store and tell them the item was missing, it can then compensate you accordingly. 

If you are the one sending the parcel, then choose a respected courier, and get insurance if it is an expensive item. If the item is never received by the recipient, then file a report and a lengthy search will be carried out by the courier, followed by a pay out by the insurance if not found. Although it must be said, most packages are delivered, 97% according to the couriers. 

It’s a good idea to always add a return address too, as then the courier can get it back to you if the addressee cannot receive the parcel, for whatever reason.