Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
POSTIES TO COLLECT PARCELS FROM HOME
Royal Mail change ‘biggest since 1852’
POSTIES will now collect parcels from homes as well as delivering them under one of Royal Mail’s biggest shake-ups.
The service is rolling out nationwide following a trial in the west of England.
And it comes as harsher Covid-19 lockdown measures begin to bite across the land, making trips to the
Post Office tricky for some.
Royal Mail yesterday called the Parcel Collect service “one of the biggest changes to the daily delivery since the launch of the postbox in 1852”. Households buying and selling online can get a package collected for 72p, on top of the cost of sending it. Posties will collect from homes or nominated safe places.
P re-pai d returns wi l l al s o be collected for 60p a time and posties can take up to five items per household in one pick-up. The ser vice – which will be carried out as p a r t o f w o r k e r s’ daily rounds – will be available from Monday to Saturday and can be booked up to five days in advance.
Those arranging to hand over parcels need to ensure they have already paid the correct postage online and printed out and attached a pre-paid label.
Customers will get an email confirmation of the collection that will act as proof of postage, Royal Mail said.
The maximum size for packages to be taken is 61cm by 46cm by 46cm (24in by 18.1in by 18.1in) while the maximum weight is 20kg.
During the trial of the new scheme, half of people polled told researchers they would definitely use a home collection service if it was offered by their usual delivery firm.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail Parcel Collect is a fantastic step forward for all our customers. It makes it easier to use our services than ever before.
“Whether you’re up against time and working from home, making a return, selling online or sending a gift to make someone’s day, Royal Mail Parcel Collect is here to help.
“The launch of Parcel Collect is part of our commitment to continuously make our services better and more convenient.”