Fastway Couriers

Neil_Sedaka

Would anyone have any pointers or tips as to how to get the best rates for pre-paid bags from Fastway.

My business is quite new and I'm in catch 22.
I can't offer customers a good courier rate, because I don't have one that is cost effective.
I can't get one, because I don't as yet have the volume needed for the discount!
20% -30% of sales are to the EU, rest are domestic.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

jimmii

I use parcel2go works out cheaper than going direct I a am in the same position as you that I don't quite have the volume to get their reduced rates.

Neil_Sedaka

Thanks jimmii, I have used CityPOST Parcel a few times and found them to be quite good.
I'll take a look at parcel2go.

Very few of my packages are over 1Kg and I'd love to be able to offer a domestic flat rate of about €6 inc.
Also flat rate to UK of about €10 inc.

I can dream can't I? LOL

jimmii

Fastway via parcel2go is €6.21 exld. for smaller packages so its not far off. I have used that a fair bit in the past the customer service from parcel2go has been pretty decent in my limited experience with them too.

Neil_Sedaka

I'm due a Fastway delivery today so I'll pick yer man's brain about buying satchels and see what he offers.

jimmii

Buying satchels? How does that work?

Neil_Sedaka

jimmii wrote: »

Buying satchels? How does that work?

You buy a heap of them (not sure what the minimum is) and get a business/frequent user rate.

Pay up front and then use them as you need to.

Satchels is just a fancy name for plastic mailing bags LOL.

Fionn101

pre-purchase some of their jiffy bags. worked out cheaper for when I used them. and hold out for a discount , the driver is part of a franchise and will want the business.

Hope this helps,
Fionn

Neil_Sedaka

Fionn101 wrote: »

pre-purchase some of their jiffy bags. worked out cheaper for when I used them. and hold out for a discount , the driver is part of a franchise and will want the business.

Hope this helps,
Fionn

Just spoke to the driver at the door as he was delivering to me.
€5.50 + VAT per satchel for domestic. Minimum of 20 satchels.
Not too bad I suppose!!
Forgot to ask him about UK and beyond.

lucky john

Neil_Sedaka wrote: »

Just spoke to the driver at the door as he was delivering to me.
€5.50 + VAT per satchel for domestic. Minimum of 20 satchels.
Not too bad I suppose!!
Forgot to ask him about UK and beyond.

They are for ireland and ni only. Uk is more expensive. Fastway are great for here but they don't have a proper uk network. Tracking ends once the package leaves ireland. I do use then to the uk from time to time but not without problems.

GLS are worth a look to UK and Europe.

jimmii

Thats great to know will definitely check out the satchels!

_Brian

Neil_Sedaka wrote: »

Just spoke to the driver at the door as he was delivering to me.
€5.50 + VAT per satchel for domestic. Minimum of 20 satchels.
Not too bad I suppose!!
Forgot to ask him about UK and beyond.

I have low volume shipments but the added problem that I'm away at my "proper job" during the day.. I'm on the road so just pop into a Post Office and the Parcel Post up to 1kg is €6.50 with tracking ID, up to 2kg is only €7.50 with tracking ID. All my shipments are domestic.

Neil_Sedaka

Cheers Brian, good to know.

damiensw

Check out Scurri. They are an Irish business based in the UK. As far as I know they are connected to several different carriers in Ireland.

Neil_Sedaka

Thanks, will take a look now.

Mondo 088

use An Post

Neil_Sedaka

Mondo 088 wrote: »

use An Post

I have been, I'm just looking for alternatives and a better deal if possible.

My high value packages need to be tracked, AnPost are not too competitive there.