A courier service is operated by a logistics company that is responsible for the delivery of packages, documents, and mail between two parties.
Unlike the options available at the Post Office, courier delivery services are usually privately-owned companies that offer more competitive services such as door-to-door package delivery, 7 days a week delivery, with some even boasting 24/7 services. Some couriers will also offer same day or next day package delivery and international package delivery services at more attractive prices.
You know that feeling when you need to post a parcel to a customer overnight across the UK and the panic that sets in whether it gets delivered on time?
Or when your daughter went to do study overseas and needed a care package shipped to her ASAP?
Or when you nearly forgot about your brother's birthday and needed a present to be delivered the very next day?
We've all been there. When the Post Office just didn’t cut it, or you get fed up with their ever increasing prices. Not all heroes wear capes, instead, they drive vans and wear a 'high vis'.
Have your item collected and delivered the same day by express courier in the UK. Learn more.
If you need a superhero to get your parcel delivered quickly and intact, you should book a courier. Or actually, better still, compare a set of courier superheroes using our quote engine and choose the one who offers the best service, for the best price.
But how do you choose the best courier service to ensure deliveries safely and on time? Which courier offers the best prices? We have the answers.
Even though there are many different courier services available in the UK, choosing the best one for you can be quite tricky. How do you decide between Parcelforce, DHL Parcel UK, DX, DPD or DHL courier services? If the parcel is bigger or longer who would be best - Tuffnells or DX Freight? Which will be most suitable for your needs? The short answer is it depends on your situation.
In the world of online retail and eCommerce, delivery speed is everything. Wedding gifts must arrive before the wedding, not after. Closing a business deal and sending key documents or contracts? Failing to have them delivered on time could result in a missed opportunity. Can the courier provide a Next Day delivery or even deliver the very Same Day?
How long does it take to deliver parcels to those who live overseas? They will be expecting a fast delivery at a reasonable price. If you book early enough in the day, some courier services offer lightning-fast pick up and can come and pick up on the same day you order the courier. If you have a parcel that is time sensitive, timed delivery is another factor to consider.
We have business couriers who can help you remove the risk of late deliveries.
If you are sending of higher value or great importance, choosing a courier that is expedited and fully tracked is essential. Leave the tracked mail services out of the equation as although they come with partial tracking, you will want to get the parcel signed for and be able to monitor it in full. When sending valuable goods you want to be 100% sure that you are protected against potential loss and damage.
Imagine you have purchased an expensive birthday gift, what if the courier loses the parcel?! To protect yourself from this, make sure to choose a courier with additional insurance and tracking options.
With tracking, you can have full oversight and with extended liability, you can cover the value of the items in your parcel, as long as you have packaged the item correctly and declared the value and contents correctly.
When you send a package, the courier provides a shipping label with a tracking (or consignment) number on it. This is then scanned as the package moves through different steps on its delivery route. This allows you to ‘track’ your package on the courier’s website or via Parcel Monkey, To make this even easier, delivery comparison sites like ours allow you to track packages sent through different courier services.
TOP TIP - Parcelforce Next Day by 12 pm provides cover up to £2500.
So, you’ve decided to move to abroad, or you are heading to University. Congratulations! Now you need to figure out how to send your life’s belongings to another country without breaking the bank.
Rather than spending hours browsing different courier delivery websites, finding it extremely hard to compare courier prices between different companies as they depend on various criteria, you should use a parcel delivery comparison site, like Parcel Monkey.
By providing package weight and size, plus delivery destination we can help you discover information about delivery speed, customs rules in the destination, and help you understand and add additional services like extra insurance. Compare delivery courier prices in one place to get the best price on domestic and international shipping.
Nowadays, almost everyone has friends and family overseas or does business with people abroad. Need to know what countries your courier delivers to or how long it takes to deliver packages from the UK to the US, Germany even to Hong Kong?
Getting the best deals on international parcel delivery to over 200+ countries is something a comparison site can also help with, whilst also helping you handle the customs documents for a smooth delivery.
Collection and delivery times are also important when choosing your courier service. When you need to send or collect a package in the evening or during the weekend, choosing a courier service with designated drop-off points is the best option for you (and will likely save you time and frustration by forgoing long line wait times).
Sending multiple parcels, or something heavy? Having a courier to come and take the parcel directly from you can make life easier, or if you are at the office, book a collection from there rather than home - it will ensure you don't miss the driver and avoid the 'Sorry you weren't home' note.
After we’ve discussed what a courier is and how to choose the most suitable one, you can probably see that making these decisions can be really tricky. Parcel delivery comparison sites have been created to solve these problems, alleviate stress, save you time and money and give you all the information you need before posting a parcel.
They can help you choose the best courier service depending on your needs, completely free! Wherever in the world, you want to send your package, you can compare the best couriers to get optimal service and delivery rates. Happy shipping!
Related Information
Large and heavy parcel delivery
How much does it cost to post a parcel?
Have your item collected and delivered the same day by express courier in the UK. Learn more.
Compare, book and send parcels using discounted parcel delivery services. Save time & money with Parcel Monkey.
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