AddressPal from Anpost. Similar to Parcel Motel and Parcel Wizard.

WIZWEB

Currently €1 per item sent from the UK mainland for month of February

An Post appears to have finally launched their eagerly awaited AddressPal service to compete with Parcel Motel (€3.95), Parcel Wizard (€3.85) & Parcel Connect (€4.50). AddressPal €1 for February will normally charge €3.50 per parcel up to a maximum of 20KG. Hefty €50 fee though for overweight/oversized items. This for dimensions exceeding 72cm X 31cm X 25cm. There are also further restrictions on maximum allowed sizes which will be returned to sender. A UK mainland address is used which can be useful as some sellers don't send or may charge extra to Northern Irish PM, PW and PC addresses. AddressPal only deliver items to your chosen post office. Cash or debit card can be used for collection. There is currently no online tracking or insurance offered. Delivery notification is by email and SMS. Five days are allowed to collect from your selected post office with ID. Obviously you are restricted to their opening times. They suggest a three day delivery time from the UK. I've not used this service myself yet and all the info I gathered is from a quick nose over their website....

https://addresspal.anpost.ie



Customs

For comparison Parcel Motel and Parcel Wizard refuse items owing customs duty. If allowed would Irish or UK Vat/fee rates prevail? Might be worth contacting AddressPal for clarification.

7(v) ...delay or seizure of any Item by any Customs Authority because of incorrect, insufficient, incomplete or improper documentation. The Customer is responsible for ensuring that the correct and complete documentation required by the Customs Authority is securely attached to the outside of the item at the time of posting and acknowledges that An Post is not responsible for the presentation of this documentation to Customs and also indemnifies An Post for any fines, costs or losses incurred due to submission of unacceptable documentation.


List of prohibited/restricted items: http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

EasyBoy1974

Just registered - looks like they have a mainland UK address - St Albans, Herts? If so, great!

<edit> apologies - just saw you mentioned that in OP :-)

crabbypaddy

Huzzah! Price wars!

quilmore

50 quid for any oversized item over 72cm X 31cm X 25cm ???
I'd be worried with amazon and the likes, sometimes boxes are way bigger than needed

super_furry

Doesn't sound great. That oversized item charge is mental and you still have to get to a post office during opening hours. The benefit for Parcel Motel is that you can collect any time.

marklazarcovic

super_furry wrote:

Doesn't sound great. That oversized item charge is mental and you still have to get to a post office during opening hours. The benefit for Parcel Motel is that you can collect any time.

If your near a parcel motel its great,if your not its useless

Amouar

Signed up mainly in order to buy perfumes from Amazon, but just found up that they are in the list of prohibited items here http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

quilmore

EasyBoy1974 wrote: »

Just registered - looks like they have a mainland UK address - St Albans, Herts? If so, great!

<edit> apologies - just saw you mentioned that in OP :-)

see what the place looks like
https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Air+Business/@51.7510778,-0.2780016,3a,75y,189h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sMjSQ8GpuAACTOo8zVdjV8g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DMjSQ8GpuAACTOo8zVdjV8g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D234%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D189.88416%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xbbe5c88605a9af4d!6m1!1e1

nava

Amouar wrote: »

Signed up mainly in order to buy perfumes from Amazon, but just found up that they are in the list of prohibited items here http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

Big thread about it on Online Buying & Auctions

I say the reason is customs in perfumes, according to revenue website.

revenue.ie wrote:

C. Consignments of Negligible Value

Consignments not exceeding an intrinsic value of €150 may be imported from outside the EU without payment of Customs Duty. Intrinsic value is the value of the goods alone and does not include insurance and freight). Consignments not exceeding a total customs value of €22 may be imported without payment of VAT. (Customs value is the value of the goods plus insurance and freight (which includes postage costs (CIF value). However, there is no relief (from Customs Duty, Excise Duty, other duties or VAT) under this negligible value provision for importations of tobacco, tobacco products, alcohol products, perfumes or toilet waters irrespective of their value.

Where the Customs Duty on a consignment of goods amounts to less than €10 it will not be collected. Similarly, VAT liability amounting to less than or equal to €6 will not be collected. No similar rule applies in the case of Excise Duty which will always be collected on products liable to it.

uck51js9zml2yt

Got my card earlier this week.
The oversize charge is a worry.

kn

Amouar wrote: »

Signed up mainly in order to buy perfumes from Amazon, but just found up that they are in the list of prohibited items here http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

I doubt they are going to open the box to find out what's inside. I'd imagine it because its one of the more breakable items that its included.

yannakis

Amouar wrote: »

Signed up mainly in order to buy perfumes from Amazon, but just found up that they are in the list of prohibited items here http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/Sending+Mail/Speed/Prohibited+items.htm

No one will ever know :rolleyes:

2smiggy

marklazarcovic wrote: »

If your near a parcel motel its great,if your not its useless

i'm less than a mile to a post office, 25 miles to my nearest parcel motel location !!

bk

2smiggy wrote: »

i'm less than a mile to a post office, 25 miles to my nearest parcel motel location !!

Sure, but post offices only tend to be open 9 to 5:30 Monday to Friday (1 on Saturdays) and closed for lunch!!! :eek:

Parcel Motel are open 24/7

Then there is also Parcel Wizard who will deliver right to your home/office/family/friends/etc. of your choice.

And not forgetting Parcel Connect (€4.50) which will deliver to over 1000 shops, which will normally have much better opening times then post offices.

Obviously €1 for the month of February is nice, but I can't see using it beyond that. The oversize charge is mental and post office opening times largely inconvenient.

The only advantage I can see is they have an England delivery address rather then Northern Ireland. Which can be convenient for some websites that don't deliver to Northern Ireland.

Otherwise I think Parcel Motel/Wizard are overall better services.

Reedsie

Looks great but the €50 oversized fee is absolutely bonkers! How on earth did they come up with that figure?

Any indication on duration between receiving the item at the UK address and having it available in the local post office?

quilmore

I don't see the €1 during February offer, can you confirm?

Reedsie

That coverage map though...

MadDogGreener

The lack of insurance and the hefty oversize charge would put me off. Unless you need to order something over 10kg AND of limited value. It doesnt seem worth saving 45cent otherwise.

WIZWEB

quilmore wrote: »

I don't see the €1 during February offer, can you confirm?

It is hidden away though highlighted at the bottom of the sign up email. Would have made more sense to put it on the front page of website.

marklazarcovic

will suit some wont suit others,no big deal,its an extra option which is great

BoatMad

sometime I find that I can get a courier from the UK to Ireland , cheaper then using " motels" . recently 8 sterling for a 1m long package. way cheaper then " motel" type over size charges

crabbypaddy

Everybody email them about the oversize restriction the 25cm dimension is ridiculous [URL="mailto: addresspalsupport@anpost.ie"]addresspalsupport@anpost.ie[/URL]

nava

crabbypaddy wrote: »

Everybody email them about the oversize restriction the 25cm dimension is ridiculous [URL="mailto: addresspalsupport@anpost.ie"]addresspalsupport@anpost.ie[/URL]

I seen it was asked on twitter


EDIT: Delete twitter post from incorrect account #anpostvox

uck51js9zml2yt

YanisK wrote: »

No one will ever know :rolleyes:

Unless it breaks !

CYHSN

nava wrote: »

Off topic but looks like some replies they do are not very professional

That second tweet is from a parody an post account

BionicRasher

bk wrote: »

Sure, but post offices only tend to be open 9 to 5:30 Monday to Friday (1 on Saturdays) and closed for lunch!!! :eek:

Parcel Motel are open 24/7

Then there is also Parcel Wizard who will deliver right to your home/office/family/friends/etc. of your choice.

And not forgetting Parcel Connect (€4.50) which will deliver to over 1000 shops, which will normally have much better opening times then post offices.

Obviously €1 for the month of February is nice, but I can't see using it beyond that. The oversize charge is mental and post office opening times largely inconvenient.

The only advantage I can see is they have an England delivery address rather then Northern Ireland. Which can be convenient for some websites that don't deliver to Northern Ireland.

Otherwise I think Parcel Motel/Wizard are overall better services.

this looks easier for a lot of people I would think
The closest Parcel Motel to me for example is 20km away and off my route home. I have 2 Post Offices within spitting distance of my house and with the fact that you have 5 days to collect it should not be any issue in collecting stuff.
I find the Parcel Wizard option of delivery to an address a negative as I think the whole idea of this is that you can collect the parcel at your convenience and not have to be at home to take delivery

Oversize cost is a worry however

TallGlass

quilmore wrote: »

see what the place looks like
https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Air+Business/@51.7510778,-0.2780016,3a,75y,189h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sMjSQ8GpuAACTOo8zVdjV8g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DMjSQ8GpuAACTOo8zVdjV8g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D234%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D189.88416%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xbbe5c88605a9af4d!6m1!1e1

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.7510786,-0.2780712,3a,75y,208.02h,85.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1se4cGCzDfCpVLAjdpLH2xFg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

bk

BionicRasher wrote: »

this looks easier for a lot of people I would think
The closest Parcel Motel to me for example is 20km away and off my route home. I have 2 Post Offices within spitting distance of my house and with the fact that you have 5 days to collect it should not be any issue in collecting stuff.
I find the Parcel Wizard option of delivery to an address a negative as I think the whole idea of this is that you can collect the parcel at your convenience and not have to be at home to take delivery

Oversize cost is a worry however

But you are ignoring the Parcel Connect option. Over 1000 locations, as many as there are post offices, but with the advantage that most convenience shops are open 7 days a week, open later and earlier and open for lunch!

Check ParcelConnect, I bet there are plenty of local shops on it close to you.

Add to that the ridiculously small oversize limit, €50 if it is oversized and lack of insurance and it seems a very poor service in comparison.

Literally the only advantage is if the website doesn't deliver to Northern Ireland.

BTW ParcelWizard will also deliver to your office or family/friends and give you a time slot, so you don't have to be home for it. They will also hold it for you for a couple of days if it isn't convenient. Maybe not for everyone, but for many I believe this maybe even a more convenient option then any stay service.

Berty

Registered there. Added the address to Amazon to test purchase Perfume. It works. It's quite annoying that Amazon won't ship Perfumes, Batteries(including some watches) even to Northern Ireland. Handy having a 3rd option now with Mainland UK Address.

flutered

Janiyah Embarrassed Sandstorm wrote: »

Got my card earlier this week.
The oversize charge is a worry.

imagne getting something bulkey like a large hoodie

BoatMad

Berty wrote: »

Registered there. Added the address to Amazon to test purchase Perfume. It works. It's quite annoying that Amazon won't ship Perfumes, Batteries(including some watches) even to Northern Ireland. Handy having a 3rd option now with Mainland UK Address.

Its a royal mail restriction

Rackstar

nava wrote: »

I seen it was asked on twitter


Off topic but looks like some replies they do are not very professional

That's not a genuine An Post Twitter account.

flutered

bk wrote: »

But you are ignoring the Parcel Connect option. Over 1000 locations, as many as there are post offices, but with the advantage that most convenience shops are open 7 days a week, open later and earlier and open for lunch!

Check ParcelConnect, I bet there are plenty of local shops on it close to you.

Add to that the ridiculously small oversize limit, €50 if it is oversized and lack of insurance and it seems a very poor service in comparison.

Literally the only advantage is if the website doesn't deliver to Northern Ireland.

BTW ParcelWizard will also deliver to your office or family/friends and give you a time slot, so you don't have to be home for it. They will also hold it for you for a couple of days if it isn't convenient. Maybe not for everyone, but for many I believe this maybe even a more convenient option then any stay service.

agree with parcel wizard, the come at a time to suit you, no traveling to a parcel motel outlet, or to a post office

Corholio

It's just another handy option really. Parcel Wizard is fine in theory about a time that suits you, the few experiences I have had haven't been great and this was well after christmas too. Obviously if you don't live near a Parcel Motel then you're not going to sign up for it, but if you do it's extremely handy and my preferred option definitely. AnPost's option may come into play with some retailers/sellers that charge more for delivery to the 'islands and Northern Ireland' or who don't deliver there at all. It will also come into play for anyone who lives close to a post office. The oversized parcel charge could be problematic for them though unless they refine the way it's charged and not just the mad €50 fee.

Yggr of Asgard

Rackstar wrote: »

That's not a genuine An Post Twitter account.

@Postvox is the official twitter account of AnPost Corporate and Public Affairs An Post

@AnPostvox is not.

Yggr of Asgard

Berty wrote: »

Registered there. Added the address to Amazon to test purchase Perfume. It works. It's quite annoying that Amazon won't ship Perfumes, Batteries(including some watches) even to Northern Ireland. Handy having a 3rd option now with Mainland UK Address.

You can not order perfumes via AddressPal, it's on the list of excluded items.

See www.anpost.ie/ProhibitedItems

You risk that they won't accept it or in case of damage they might hold you responsible .

Yggr of Asgard

bk wrote: »

But you are ignoring the Parcel Connect option.

The only downside is that not all shops actually know they participate or how to handle incoming parcels.

I had parcels opened by the shop because they did not see that it was for me and just thought is was another set of deliveries for them.

My advise is to test it with a low value item first and see how it works with your local shop. If all works okay than you can start using them regularly.

Flippyfloppy

Was excited to finally order online from Ikea....just made an order of 3 cloth wall pockets, so fairly light & small packaging. Bit depressed by their delivery charge £7.50 to herts. Think I'll just travel to the cattle Mart in ballymun at the weekend...

nava

Yggr of Asgard wrote: »

I had parcels opened by the shop because they did not see that it was for me and just thought is was another set of deliveries for them.

Same happened to me with parcel connect, I used them twice, 1st they open the parcel thinking it was for them, when they see what was inside they checked the address level.

Both cases they did not know what to do, they are suppose to scan it to generate the PIN, I knew from tracking number it was deliver but no PIN I contacted Fastway, after calls back and forward that took most of the day they sent a PIN by email, when I collected it they had no idea what to do with the parcel or PIN, 2nd was the same seen it was deliver but a few hours later no pin, I went to the shop they scanned the parcel, said ok not asking for money so gave me the parcel, when I check my phone later I got the pin.

I contacted fastway to let them know, they didn't even acknowledge my mail.

loyatemu

Ridiculous that they don't offer the option of delivering the parcel to you - it's not as if that isn't AnPost's main business, and if you order to an Irish address they'll deliver it to your door. They're really missing a trick here.

MBSnr

nava wrote: »

Same happened to me with parcel connect, I used them twice, 1st they open the parcel thinking it was for them, when they see what was inside they checked the address level.

Both cases they did not know what to do, they are suppose to scan it to generate the PIN, I knew from tracking number it was deliver but no PIN I contacted Fastway, after calls back and forward that took most of the day they sent a PIN by email, when I collected it they had no idea what to do with the parcel or PIN, 2nd was the same seen it was deliver but a few hours later no pin, I went to the shop they scanned the parcel, said ok not asking for money so gave me the parcel, when I check my phone later I got the pin.

I contacted fastway to let them know, they didn't even acknowledge my mail.

Same here - told them multiple times via email. On the plus side every delivery is free as the staff just hand the package over...

Dodge

loyatemu wrote: »

Ridiculous that they don't offer the option of delivering the parcel to you - it's not as if that isn't AnPost's main business, and if you order to an Irish address they'll deliver it to your door. They're really missing a trick here.

It's probably a licence thing. They can't really be seen to be undercutting the Royal Mail's door to door postal service in the UK

ted1

super_furry wrote: »

Doesn't sound great. That oversized item charge is mental and you still have to get to a post office during opening hours. The benefit for Parcel Motel is that you can collect any time.

But it's a mainland UK address, some places won't deliver to NI

Nollog

If your confirmation link isn't working, look at the URL they send you in the email. Mine had an extra "&".
ConfirmEmail?userid=email@notmyemail.net&&code=[superdupersecurecode]
Should be
ConfirmEmail?userid=email@notmyemail.net&code=[superdupersecurecode]

nulabert

/\/ollog wrote: »

If your confirmation link isn't working, look at the URL they send you in the email. Mine had an extra "&".
ConfirmEmail?userid=email@notmyemail.net&&code=[superdupersecurecode]
Should be
ConfirmEmail?userid=email@notmyemail.net&code=[superdupersecurecode]

I have that problem, did what you said, still have that problem.

No harm testing their customer support !!

Stinicker

Ordered my first small packet there now via AddressPal, will update the thread over the next week etc.

crabbypaddy

Just signed up can't believe the stupid code system they've come up with - 13 digits plus an alphabetic character.

How many quadrillion customers are they expecting to have

The last digits are guaranteed to get cut off by shipping software and label printers too.

crabbypaddy

Just signed up can't believe the stupid code system they've come up with - 13 digits plus an alphabetic character.

How many quadrillion customers are they expecting to have

The last digits are guaranteed to get cut off by shipping software and label printers too.

whiterebel

Berty wrote: »

Registered there. Added the address to Amazon to test purchase Perfume. It works. It's quite annoying that Amazon won't ship Perfumes, Batteries(including some watches) even to Northern Ireland. Handy having a 3rd option now with Mainland UK Address.

Perfumes are usually flammable

Stinicker

crabbypaddy wrote: »

Just signed up can't believe the stupid code system they've come up with - 13 digits plus an alphabetic character.

How many quadrillion customers are they expecting to have

The last digits are guaranteed to get cut off by shipping software and label printers too.

Totally Agree;

My Name
AddressPal XXX 1234 5678910
Air Business, Unit 5, The Merlin Centre
Acrewood Way, St Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0JY
United Kingdom
087-1234567


Its a fair length alright and eBay is worse in that it changes Herts to its proper "Hertfordshire", I suppose having the Mobile number on the address would help match the parcel to my account in case the vendor made a mistake in the Address.

Niemoj

What the feck is up with their IDs? So many numbers, far too many to remember.

Edit: Just noticed it's been discussed right above my post, my apologies.