Hermes open new 15,000m distribution hub

We switched over our dispatch from Royal Mail to Hermes and cannot praise them high enough. My previous post (pasted below) is relevant and i hope it will help other sellers to make up their minds too.

We used Royal Mail 2nd class recorded for years and after getting fed up with their level of service, lack of tracking and price jump from £2.39 to £3.89 within a year, we decided to give Hermes a try who were offering £2.78 (up to 1kg pack) instead of £3.89. Few set up teething problems but we are now on track.

I can honestly say this has been the best decision we have ever made. On average we used to receive 2 to 3 “where is my item” emails daily. Hermes email tracking to buyers and are delivering on time and so far we have only received 2 emails in 6 weeks. One got delivered the same day and other the next. One parcel arrived damaged and dedicated business support helpline sent claim form within minutes and all we had to do was fill in basic details and attach photo of a damaged product. No fuss and lengthy process like RM.

Due to cheaper postage, we reduced the prices and our dispatch of packet post jumped from 100 parcels a week to 250+. Had a chat with Hermes account manager and now we are on £2.64 rate (including Vat, no fuel surcharge). Next target is 500+ and we will be on £2.02 plus vat (£2.48). A local friend also a seller has negotiated under £3 for upto 5kg (500+ a week).

New RM international prices also affected our dispatch with them and now we are using dpd for Europe.

I don’t know about other areas but word of mouth is getting around faster in Glasgow area and number of sellers we spoke to have now moved majority of their dispatch to Hermes. We are all using royal mail too but they are no longer a major carrier.

Not surprised at increased Royal phone calls and visits here offering to help. They must have felt the pinch or noticed the change in volume.

This is not personal but is a business decision. Anybody who can dispatch 100+ a week should give Hermes a try and see the difference in level of service. By switching over from royal mail to Hermes, 150 parcels a week means at least £600 saving a month and £7950 a year.

Hope above information will help other fellow sellers. End of the day you have to choose what is right for your business and Royal Mail may suit many but it’s good to know that there is a strong competitor out there now. You can stick to royal mail but I think you are in a bargaining position now.

7 Responses

Maz says:

23 May 2014 at 3:37 pm

We switched over our dispatch from Royal Mail to Hermes and cannot praise them high enough. My previous post (pasted below) is relevant and i hope it will help other sellers to make up their minds too.

We used Royal Mail 2nd class recorded for years and after getting fed up with their level of service, lack of tracking and price jump from £2.39 to £3.89 within a year, we decided to give Hermes a try who were offering £2.78 (up to 1kg pack) instead of £3.89. Few set up teething problems but we are now on track.

I can honestly say this has been the best decision we have ever made. On average we used to receive 2 to 3 “where is my item” emails daily. Hermes email tracking to buyers and are delivering on time and so far we have only received 2 emails in 6 weeks. One got delivered the same day and other the next. One parcel arrived damaged and dedicated business support helpline sent claim form within minutes and all we had to do was fill in basic details and attach photo of a damaged product. No fuss and lengthy process like RM.

Due to cheaper postage, we reduced the prices and our dispatch of packet post jumped from 100 parcels a week to 250+. Had a chat with Hermes account manager and now we are on £2.64 rate (including Vat, no fuel surcharge). Next target is 500+ and we will be on £2.02 plus vat (£2.48). A local friend also a seller has negotiated under £3 for upto 5kg (500+ a week).

New RM international prices also affected our dispatch with them and now we are using dpd for Europe.

I don’t know about other areas but word of mouth is getting around faster in Glasgow area and number of sellers we spoke to have now moved majority of their dispatch to Hermes. We are all using royal mail too but they are no longer a major carrier.

Not surprised at increased Royal phone calls and visits here offering to help. They must have felt the pinch or noticed the change in volume.

This is not personal but is a business decision. Anybody who can dispatch 100+ a week should give Hermes a try and see the difference in level of service. By switching over from royal mail to Hermes, 150 parcels a week means at least £600 saving a month and £7950 a year.

Hope above information will help other fellow sellers. End of the day you have to choose what is right for your business and Royal Mail may suit many but it’s good to know that there is a strong competitor out there now. You can stick to royal mail but I think you are in a bargaining position now.
JohnR says:

23 May 2014 at 5:54 pm

I drove past this new hub a few months ago and the scale of it makes it look quite impressive and professional. I think it is right next to M62.
northumbrian says:

23 May 2014 at 8:15 pm

so thats why the M6 is such a pain in the arse between Liverpool and Birmingham
Maciej Wiankowski says:

24 May 2014 at 8:37 am

Glad to see Hermes expanding. Competition is very much needed on UK and international market.

Regards