Sign up with Googlestelliestech
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2017
- Messages
- 1
Hi
From time to time (5 to 10 times a year) I need to send stuff to Europe and the USA. Each time has been a dreaded experience:
DHL: The first time I used them, I actually went to the local branch. There they told me I had to unpack my parcel for a security inspection! So, needless to say, I didn't try that again. That is just beyond stupid.
UPS: This was a relatively good experience, until they changed their policy a month or so ago. In the past I could just phone the local branch and give them the weight and dimensions of the parcel. The collection was booked and the UPS guy collected the parcel with a card-machine, so I could pay with my card. Now, you have to request a quote via e-mail. Then they send a quote, which needs to be signed. Then all the paperwork needs to be sorted out and only then they will send you an invoice and after providing them with a proof of payment, they collection is booked. Kind of, like you owe them something or what?
SA post: The experience here was actually not that bad. As long as you send parcels by registered air mail with tracking. Unfortunately, the online tracking stops as soon as the parcel leaves the country. Delivery takes about 2 weeks and no paperwork is required. However, I always feel a bit uneasy about the delivery times, because there are no real guarantees.
SA Speed Service: Another option provided by SA post. Unfortunately, with the same crappy tracking system. I tried them once, but delivery times were even longer than with normal air mail at 3 to 4 times the price.
Which courier service would you recommend for once-in-a-while international parcels? They should have good tracking and not that huge amount of red tape.
Regards,
StelliesTech
From time to time (5 to 10 times a year) I need to send stuff to Europe and the USA. Each time has been a dreaded experience:
DHL: The first time I used them, I actually went to the local branch. There they told me I had to unpack my parcel for a security inspection! So, needless to say, I didn't try that again. That is just beyond stupid.
UPS: This was a relatively good experience, until they changed their policy a month or so ago. In the past I could just phone the local branch and give them the weight and dimensions of the parcel. The collection was booked and the UPS guy collected the parcel with a card-machine, so I could pay with my card. Now, you have to request a quote via e-mail. Then they send a quote, which needs to be signed. Then all the paperwork needs to be sorted out and only then they will send you an invoice and after providing them with a proof of payment, they collection is booked. Kind of, like you owe them something or what?
SA post: The experience here was actually not that bad. As long as you send parcels by registered air mail with tracking. Unfortunately, the online tracking stops as soon as the parcel leaves the country. Delivery takes about 2 weeks and no paperwork is required. However, I always feel a bit uneasy about the delivery times, because there are no real guarantees.
SA Speed Service: Another option provided by SA post. Unfortunately, with the same crappy tracking system. I tried them once, but delivery times were even longer than with normal air mail at 3 to 4 times the price.
Which courier service would you recommend for once-in-a-while international parcels? They should have good tracking and not that huge amount of red tape.
Regards,
StelliesTech
