THE Post Office is making a huge change to parcel deliveries and shoppers will love it.
Customers will have the option of sending packages using DPD and Evri in its branches instead of just Royal Mail.
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For the first time in its 360-year history, Post Office customers will be able to choose other parcel carriers over the counter in branches.
It means that those wishing to send family members parcels for Christmas or those looking to post clothes they’ve sold online now have a choice over their postage courier.
The new service will begin in selected branches in time for the peak Christmas delivery season.
The Sun has asked for a list of the branches getting the new service as well as the average cost differences between using DPD, Evri and Royal Mail.
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The Post Office said the announcement marked its continued diversification as it evolved to become a one-stop hub for customers and a destination where they could access multiple delivery carriers all under one roof.
At the moment, those walking into branches and looking to send a parcel can only utilise Royal Mail‘s nationwide service or Parcelforce’s worldwide service.
But Post Office customers will soon be able to walk up to a counter and choose to send their parcels with DPD or Evri, in addition to existing services.
Post Office chief executive Nick Read said: “We are fundamentally transforming Post Office by introducing new mail carriers for over-the-counter sales for the first time in our 360-year history.
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“This expanded partnership with DPD and Evri shows how we are disrupting the mail market to offer greater choice for customers and more opportunities for postmasters as we build a Post Office fit for the future.”
Those who wish to buy a postage stamp online and ahead of dropping their parcel off in-store can already use DPD and Evri services.
Customers can already buy DPD or Evri postage online and drop off their pre-paid parcel or return another at their chosen branch.
But the new buy-in-branch, DPD and Evri parcel service will begin in selected branches in time for the peak Christmas delivery season.
Neill O’Sullivan, managing director of parcels and mails at Post Office, said: “Post Office is innovating to meet changing customer preferences and the increasingly competitive market. Our goal is to deliver unparalleled access to parcel services, addressing the needs of businesses and retail customers, both now and in the future.
“Our new buy-in-branch service reflects how Post Office has adapted as a business to ensure our customers now have access to multiple delivery carriers and services conveniently in their local Post Office.
“It’s very exciting to have major carriers DPD and Evri as our launch partners for this new service which will be rolled out across branches over the coming months.”
In other mail news, Royal Mail made a major change to fees on Monday (November 6) ahead of shoppers facing a Christmas surcharge.
Business account customers have now been asked to pay a new 2p green surcharge.
While the surcharge won’t be charged directly to consumers, there are concerns that they will end up footing the bill anyway if businesses look to up their prices to cover the extra cost.
Business account customers will also be asked to pay an additional peak surcharge of 5p for letters and 10p for parcels later in the month.
This will come into force on November 20 and end on January 7 – the peak time for Christmas deliveries.
What are the standard delivery charges?
Royal Mail rates for first class parcels start at just £4.19, and if you want to opt for second class it will cost you from £3.49.
Both options include compensation of up to £20 in the case of loss or damage.
You can send items up to 20kg, with heavier packages costing more money.
For first class, the Post Office aims to deliver the parcel the next day, but if it’s second class then the wait will be around 2-3 days.
For Medium parcels, this service will cost £6.29 for first class and £5.49 for second class.
But if your parcel’s over the size or weight of a medium parcel, you’ll need to send it via Parcelforce Worldwide.
What are the standard delivery charges for labels bought online?
Evri’s standard rates for parcels start at just £2.88, and if you want to opt for next day delivery it will cost you from £3.46.
Both options include compensation of up to £20 in the case of loss or damage.
You can send items up to 15kg, with heavier packages costing more money.
DPD’s standard rates for parcels start at £8.29, and if you want to opt for next day delivery it will cost you from £9.29.
Again, both options include compensation of up to £20 in the case of loss or damage.
You can send items up to 20kg, with heavier packages costing more money.
You’ll pay more depending on the weight and size of your parcel.
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You can find out how much you’d need to fork out when ordering your label online on the Post Office website.
And remember, prices will vary by service, provider and speed of delivery.
