We’ve often thought it totally bizarre that neither Royal Mail nor the Post Office have a collection service aimed at the consumers and SME markets. That’s all changing today as Royal Mail have launched a parcel pick-up service – Royal Mail Parcel Collect.
Currently Royal Mail Parcel Collect is only available in a few postcode areas of West England as part of a phased roll-out of the service. Parcel Collect is a new daily collection service from customers’ doors or a nominated safe place.
Customers in certain postcode areas of West England can pay for their postage and collection online or via the Royal Mail app and opt for ‘Parcel Collect’. Royal Mail will then pick up the parcel from their door or nominated safe place for 72p per parcel, in addition to postage costs. Parcel Collect is also available for pre-paid return items at a cost of 60p per item. One might think 72p is quite a steep price to pay, but for many the cost of petrol and parking to get to a Post Office will far off set this, making it appear a relatively modest charge for the time saving convenience the service offers.
Important to note that Royal Mail will only collect up to five parcels per address so if your business ships great volumes you’ll need to use other arrangements. However for small sellers and consumers in lockdown this will be an invaluable service and one we hope to see roll out across the country as quickly as possible. Parcel Collect is available six days a week and can be booked up to five days in advance and up to midnight the day before.
“Parcel Collect makes it easier to access Royal Mail services than ever before. Whether you’re up against time and working from home, selling online or sending a gift to make someone’s day, Royal Mail Parcel Collect is here to help. The launch of Parcel Collect is part of our commitment to providing a great experience for our customers and delivering greater convenience.”
– Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail
You can check if the Royal Mail Parcel Collect services is available in your area and book a collection here.
5 Responses
Brilliant, I heard about this from my postman when i tried to see if he would take a parcel back in his van. He said no, but this was coming and here it is. South East please! This will bring back the Royal Mail in to my thinking in these covid times. I am not standing in a post office queue and you cannot put tracked post into a small parcel drop box, so I have been sending to the US, Canada, S America and Europe by FedEx, UPS etc (Hermes lost the parcel to Portugal). These courier services are all more expensive for under 2kg, so to get the RM to collect my parcels will be a big plus when it happens in my area as I can go back to their cheaper rates – albeit it takes a tad longer than FedEx.
It’s long overdue and will also be of great use to people self isolating.
royal mail missing the boat and trying to swim upstream to catch it again
I don’t drive.
As I am a delivery person, I welcome the idea with open arms and don’t even want any extra money for this service, as long as all the profits go straight back into the business.
I am just worried about the FAT CAT bonuses. What reassurance do I get that no one will profiteer from this?
A bit more work for your already hard pressed postie.