Thus, many couriers offer the possibility of sending a parcel with a home collection service. In fact, this solution is suitable for all shipments, but especially for fast, particularly urgent, heavy or bulky parcels. However, in most cases the express courier charges a fee for the door-to-door parcel service.
Consequently, almost all couriers treat this service as optional and therefore charge for it. At this point, home collection becomes a real extra cost. But how much does the home collection service affect the price of the shipment? In this article, we will look at how couriers articulate this service and how you can get it free of charge for your shipment.
Types of home parcel collection
In most cases where dispatch a parcel with express couriers, UPS, TNT, Bartolini, DHL and other couriers charge extra costs for collecting the parcel from your home. Of course, the cost of the service depends on the nature of the pick-up. Let us take a look at the most common options offered by these couriers for parcel pick-up:
- same-day: for same-day collection parcels, the express courier picks up the parcel on the same day you book the pick-up. This service is suitable for very urgent quick shipments and generally has a higher cost;
- next-day collection: with many couriers it is possible to ship via the web with the option of arranging next-day collection of the parcel. In this case the shipment of the parcel costs you less and is a suitable option for less urgent shipments;
- out-of-hours: some couriers offer the option of collecting parcels on Saturdays or out-of-hours. This is a great option for those who have a job with special or frequently changing hours;
- special pick-ups: couriers are also able to take home delivery of pallets and heavy or bulky packages.
When to request a home parcel pick-up?
Home parcel collection by express courier is a convenient solution for all types of fast online shipping. However, in some cases, collecting the shipment at home is absolutely necessary. Let us give a few examples:
- dispatch pallets and heavy parcels: transporting pallets and heavy parcels from home to the carrier's premises can be impossible without a sufficiently spacious vehicle. This is often the case for private individuals and small companies. Given this necessity, coupled with the fact that the Italian postal service does not collect at home, you will necessarily have to turn to an express courier.
- shipping multiple parcels: if you have to organise a highly articulated parcel shipment with several parcels, it is advisable to take advantage of home collection of the parcel. Indeed, it is not uncommon that transporting several items without properly securing them causes damage to your goods. Otherwise, an experienced courier will know how to transport them properly.
Costs and services of home parcel collection
As we have seen, the cost for a courier pick-up shipment depends on several factors:
- the courier himself;
- the type of shipment;
- the speed of withdrawal.
Consequently, courier tariffs do not present an unambiguous cost for this service.
Here are the characteristics of the pick-up services at home or at the company of the largest hauliers on the Italian market.
Home collection with UPS
The UPS parcel pick-up service, called UPS On-Call Pick-up, is always chargeable, except in the following cases:
- customers with a subscription service that provides daily pick-ups. This service is generally dedicated to companies that ship goods every day;
- customers using the UPS 1 Attempt service;
- UPS 3 Attempts Return Plus shipments.
Thus, UPS's parcel delivery with pick-up is free of charge only in a narrow category of cases, which rarely include occasional shipments. Consequently, if you are a private customer, you will have to pay to use this service.
Shipping with UPS, with a request to collect the parcel at home, allows you to:
- choose the time slot and day of collection;
- book the pick-up online or by phone;
- pay cash for the service if you book it by phone.
Home collection with TNT
TNT is also an express courier that offers a home parcel pick-up service. Again, there is a charge for this service with a variable cost depending on the type of service chosen and the pick-up location. The rates that TNT charges for the service are lower for customers who have a subscription.
What the service offered by TNT allows you to do:
- organise a fast shipment of parcels and schedule the pick-up on the same day of the order or the next day at the latest;
- order the collection of the parcel via live chat on the courier site.
In the case of collection in remote areas or special items, you will have to agree on the terms of service by telephone.
Home parcel collection with DHL
Unlike other express couriers, DHL's home collection is free of charge for all customers. In addition, both subscribers and occasional customers can make use of it. However, in order to send a parcel with DHL, a pick-up must be booked:
- by telephone with an operator;
- at the courier's premises;
- those who are registered can use the MyDHL platform.
The only sore point is the speed of the service. In fact, the customisation of the latter is limited. Pick-up times depend on the type of product shipped and the shipping service chosen.
Free home parcel pick-up with SpedizioneComoda.co.uk
Very often having pick-up at home for quick shipments is very convenient. Unfortunately, as we have seen, the costs of home collection vary.
This is not the end of the story, because this is a chargeable service with costs that are difficult to predict. In the case of some carriers, such as Poste Italiane, home parcel collection is not possible.
So you can save money on your shipments and get a more convenient service, ShippingComoda.co.uk offers you the possibility of shipping a parcel at a rate that includes this service. In fact, all you have to do is order your shipment from the web and agree with the courier on the desired time slot and day for parcel collection.
Always subject to availability, our couriers are able to meet your requests during many time slots and working days. An operator will collect your parcel from an address of your choice, such as your office or home. If you need a pick-up outside these hours or on Saturdays, you will have to agree the terms of service with the courier.
One service, many advantages
When you choose SpedizioneComoda.co.uk, shipping parcels with pick-up at your home or business is not the only advantage. In fact, you can also benefit from cheaper rates than those of individual couriers. The volume of consignments we handle every day allows us to offer you affordable, subscription-based rates.
Another advantage is being able to make your shipments with no strings attached. While benefiting from affordable subscription rates, you do not have to tie yourself to our service or to any courier company. That means freedom!
Also consider that our quotations are clear, fast and free of charge. For each shipment, you will see different transport options. These include different couriers, different means of transport and various delivery times. You only need to enter a few shipping details to get a quote with one click.
With SpedizioneComoda.co.uk's service, you can ship quickly, cheaply and with the advantage of home collection at no extra cost.
