We are not competitive in the parcel/packet market

[Budfrog]

As we are all aware letter volumes are falling (Ex D2D) and the future of RM really depends on an innovative and competitive parcel/packet strategy as this is where the growth is.

Yesterday I had reason to cost out the sending of an item that I have sold 5.3Kg 42x32x10Cm. RM Parcels came in at £12.30p with a 3 day delivery and no Track and Trace. A competitor was able to offer a 2 day service with Track and Trace for £4.70p. There were several other carriers who all came in well below the RM price inc TNT.

Whilst profits are up (mainly due to the hike in stamp prices and the shedding of the pension liability) it is only a matter of time until more customers steer away from RM (although the brand itself will still attract custom) unless the business can compete on cost and QofS with every one of our competitors. I

[POSTMAN]

CollectPlus is a big danger for us...
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 40&t=48387" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Budfrog]

Haven't a clue who Hermes are but they will either PU from you or you can drop at a local shop.

[ratchet]

CollectPlus is a big danger for us...
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 40&t=48387" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not after you've used them.......... they are atrocious.

I sell a few bits and bobs on ebay, and thought I'd struck gold when I found Collect+. How wrong was I !.

I had major problems with 3 out of 6 items posted. I delivered 3 parcels to their drop off point, they screwed up booking 2 of them in. 3 days later I had to return to the drop off point, collect the 2 parcels, take them back home, phone up collect + for a new code, print off a new delivery docket, and take them back to the drop off point............... but what should be borne in mind is that I was the customer paying for their services !

To top it all off, the 3rd parcel that was dropped off at the same time as the 2 parcels above, was shown as having been collected and processed through their delivery network, and was out for delivery - then how come I'd seen the parcel in question still sitting at the drop off point with my own eyes 3 days after being dropped off by me !.

I reverted back to using the RM in order to save my ebay feedback, and to stop my customers getting the run around.

Why am I on here I hear you all ask - I'm awaiting the outcome of the pre-employment checks before I become a p/t Postie with driving

[Budfrog]

Good to see Hermes are getting rave reviews as well ;)

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews263555.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fishtank]

Good to see Hermes are getting rave reviews as well ;)

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews263555.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hermes are probably the bottom feeders of the parcel delivery world.
Owner/drivers usually in a clapped out '94 Ford Escort Van lobbing packets like hand grenades.
Paid per grenade i think.

[PostieSP1]

LoL i see Hermes dropped at doors all the time on my rural for the wrong address/soaking wet etc=Useless

[eastie]

Good to see Hermes are getting rave reviews as well ;)

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews263555.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hermes are probably the bottom feeders of the parcel delivery world.
Owner/drivers usually in a clapped out '94 Ford Escort Van lobbing packets like hand grenades.
Paid per grenade i think.

They get 50p per item delivered, or thrown over the 6ft fence .

[blackbooks]

There are two women who courier for Hermes around us. They run around in old Focus hatchbacks stuffed full; they are nice enough but just doorstep everything. I could good money following them about and collecting all the Next packets. I am told they get paid 70p per collection item.

[eastie]

I'm surprised the Police dont pull them over , they can't see anything out of their back window.
Plus does their insurance cover for them delivering parcels in their OWN car!!

[Lateagainpostie]

There are two women who courier for Hermes around us. They run around in old Focus hatchbacks stuffed full; they are nice enough but just doorstep everything. I could good money following them about and collecting all the Next packets. I am told they get paid 70p per collection item.

They get 75p per packet, if it's delivered, thats why they doorstep it, if they take it back they get nothing.

[POSTMAN]

And there's more...
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 40&t=49295" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The way things are going,we'll have to go cap in hand to the local takeaways for extra D2D's.

[clumsycourier]

Im an ex Hermes courier, until I saw the light , we only got around 50p per parcel in our area. I believe Yodel pay the more 'generous' rate of 75p

[clumsycourier]

I'm surprised the Police dont pull them over , they can't see anything out of their back window.
Plus does their insurance cover for them delivering parcels in their OWN car!!

LOL..As an ex Hermes courier I can tell you insurance was a major issue, a few couriers had been pulled up and had insurance checked and subsequently taken to court. Some insurance companies require couriers to insure on a goods in transit basis, very expensive. Hermes advises its couriers to ensure they have the correct insurance although they cant actually tell you what this is, although they did offer their own (optional) top up deductable though wages.

My 'business use' insurance was insufficent, when I shopped round and got quoted for something that wouldnt land me in court I decided the costs just outweighed the profit, that combined with the clutch, starter motor and gear box that all decided to pack up under the workload, just about did it for me

Did really enjoy the job though, despite the fact I looked really unprofessional and may as well have just dressed up as coco the clown with the doors of my car bulging with parcels about to break, lol

[krussel]

Dont start me on Yodel They doorstepped a £145 parcel from Amazon in the plain open. Lucky i was home about an hour later.