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Courier services are a popular alternative to large logistics firms. If you have large or heavy items such as furniture, bicycles, or garden equipment which are unsuitable for a normal parcel delivery network, then a courier service is often the most appropriate, cost effective delivery solution.

This guide is intended to help users understand the different services available and the key considerations to bear in mind.

Advantages and disadvantages of using couriers

One of the main advantages of using a dedicated courier service is that as your items won’t be going through a parcel network there is far less risk of damage or loss. With parcel couriers, such as DHL and Parcelforce, your consignment can be handled up to 10 times during a typical transit which can greatly increase the risk of damage or loss, whereas with a courier company it tends to be a dedicated service, in that your consignment will collected and delivered straight to the destination address.

Other advantages include greater security, as the consignment will only be handled by the one individual, which is particularly beneficial when arranging the delivery of valuable items, as well as greater flexibility with respect to delivery dates and times.

The downside of a dedicated courier service is that because it is bespoke to your requirements it will be more expensive than a standard parcel delivery, however the advent of price comparison services such as deliveryquotecompare.com, have greatly reduced costs by enabling courier companies to secure additional work along their scheduled route, thus reducing the costs per load.

Packaging items for courier delivery

When organising any form of delivery it is absolutely essential to get the packaging right; good packaging will ensure that the consignment arrives undamaged and will prevent any costly disputes with the courier company. When packaging an item for delivery you need to ensure that it is capable of withstanding impact from other items on the vehicle as most couriers will carry out multiple drops along a particular route which means that your consignment will be travelling alongside other, potentially heavier, consignments.

For items which cannot be packaged, such as furniture, it is advised that you speak with your courier in advance of collection to see whether they are able to provide blanket wrapping and strapping to protect the item during transit.

Insurance

All professional courier businesses will have Goods in Transit insurance in addition to general vehicle insurance; it is essential that you check to ensure that the level of cover provided is sufficient to cover the value of your goods whilst in transit.

All of the courier companies on deliveryquotecompare.com are required to detail the level of insurance cover they provide. If the level of cover is insufficient, ask to see whether it can be increased for a small additional fee.

Signing for delivery

It is important to remember that the couriers’ responsibility for the goods ends as soon as they have been delivered to your door and signed for. As such it is imperative that you check the condition of the goods prior to signing for them. Claims for damages will not be accepted after the goods have been signed for. If the consignment is in any way damaged to not sign for it and contact the courier company immediately.

Different services available

There are many different types of service available depending upon your needs. For urgent consignments you might want to consider same day couriers. A same day courier service is a bespoke service used primarily for high value, or important items. The delivery company will collect your consignment and travel straight to the destination address, often carrying just your consignment, which is reflected in the cost of the service.

For overseas consignments you will require an international courier service. International couriers are effectively an extension of the UK parcel network; your consignment will need to conform to certain dimensions and weight restrictions, which although different depending upon the carrier tends to be approximately 120cm x 60cm x 60cm with a maximum weight of 30kgs.

Courier service costs

The costs of the service will vary dramatically depending upon the service required, the distance between collection and delivery points, the size and weight of the consignment and the level of insurance required, which is why finding a cost effective solution using traditional methods can be a time consuming process.

Deliveryquotecompare.com can help you in this process by matching your requirements against 100’s of national and international courier companies competing online for your business. The way it works is simple; enter details of your requirements, including the weight, dimensions, collection and delivery points and we’ll match those requirements against companies providing those services who will then submit quotes for your consideration. The service is entirely free of charge and there is no obligation to accept any of the quotes submitted, so when you next require reliable, cost effective courier services just click on the button below and start comparing quotes!