Here’s another novel way to get around the postal strikes. Collect+ offers a network of shops around the UK, where you can drop off a parcel. It then gets picked up by the Home Delivery Network – the same people who deliver for huge mail order and high street companies – and dropped off at another store, close to where your buyer lives. It costs just £3.99 per parcel up to 10kg.
The service has some great features: sender and recipient can both be notified of dispatch and delivery by email or SMS; the receiving store will hold the parcel for collection for up to ten days, and insurance up to £40 is included. Online tracking is available.
Having a play with postcodes I know in various English cities, it seems that most of the stores in Collect+’s network are small corner shops and independent supermarkets. I love the idea that this network is itself being used to support independent businesses, though I think we can probably bet that some of the supermarket chains are looking at it (and if I were Messrs Tesco or Sainsbury, parcel drop-off and collect in store would be my next product launch). As most of these stores have long opening hours, it’s a much more convenient option for buyer pick up than having to go to a courier depot.
Disclaimer: Collect+ do not advertise with TameBay, though frankly I think they should. Thanks to the lovely Maria from Seduction Lingerie for the link.
If you’ve used Collect+ either as a sender or recipient, please leave us a comment and let us know how it went for you.
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