Birmingham, UK, (13th December, 2011) – UK Mail, a leading online consumer parcel collection and delivery service, has launched a new service aimed at domestic users which goes head-to-head with Royal Mail’s over-the-counter parcel service.
The company’s new online service (www.ipostparcels.com) uses UK Mail’s nationwide network of depots and 3,000 drivers, and is aimed at customers who want one-off collections as well as eBay sellers who have a pile of parcels to send. You simply order a pick-up time online to suit you and choose from a range of next-day parcel delivery options for a tracked parcel delivery anywhere in the UK.
Unlike other providers, ipostparcels offers customers four different time slots for collection: a three-hour window, am, pm or all day. Customers can also arrange for a parcel to be left in a ‘safe place’ if they are not at home or work.
UK Mail’s chief executive, Guy Buswell said: “ipostparcels is aimed at anyone who wants a cost-effective, easy way to send a parcel without leaving their home or office. You simply book online choosing a collection time and a postal option to suit you. It’s suitable for those people just sending an odd parcel as well as those using online marketplaces. It’s simple, easy-to-use and cost effective. No more lugging parcels to the Post Office or waiting around all day for your parcel to be collected.
“We know from our 40 years’ experience with UK Mail that there is a gap in the market for domestic customers wanting an alternative to expensive couriers, being tied into contracts aimed at businesses or queuing at the Post Office, which is why we’ve developed ipostparcels.
“Given its flexibility, convenience and low cost, we are confident that ipostarcels will be a huge hit with the public and the number one choice for eBay sellers and senders of ad hoc parcels. In the long term, we hope Parcel Pete will become as familiar and friendly a face with consumers as their regular postmen, whilst becoming synonymous with all the qualities they look for in a parcel delivery service.”
The majority of ipostparcels prices are either comparable with Royal Mail drop-off prices for posting parcels or cheaper. Those people near to one of UK Mail’s 53 depots can save even more money by dropping off parcels if they wish.
Payment can be by credit or debit card using a secure service or Paypal. It offers eBay sellers a quick and easy way to ship their sold items by linking their ipostparcels account to their eBay account so they can instantly populate the booking form with any sold items.
Prices start at £4.99 for collected next-day delivery tracked and signed-for parcels, and compare well against Royal Mail. For example, a 4kg parcel collected next-day delivery tracked and signed-for costs £8.38 with ipostparcels, a parcel the same size sent from the post office first class with Royal Mail, signed but not guaranteed next day or tracked, costs £9.72. And prices drop further for those sending more than one parcel.
About ipostparcels:
ipostparcels, a subsidiary of UK Mail, is an online consumer parcel collection and delivery service which has been trialing since August 2011. An alternative to Royal Mail’s over-the-counter parcel service, ipostparcels spells a convenient and cost-effective way to send a tracked parcel anywhere in the UK for next-day parcel delivery service- without having to leave the home or office.
About UK Mail Group:
The UK Mail Group is the largest independent parcels, mail and logistics services company within the UK, offering quality, yet affordable, delivery solutions both locally and worldwide. With a national network of 53 sites and 3,000 drivers, it is able to offer customers a unique integrated service with a full range of time-sensitive and secure delivery options for letters, parcels and pallets. UK Mail is committed to pushing the boundaries of the post and express parcel delivery markets and continues to launch product innovations that deliver commercial advantage to customers.
Contact:
Ipostparcels
Kyla Flynn or Rachel Husband at MCG PR
Tel: 0207 812 0585, 0113 307 0113
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Email: kyla.flynn@mcgpr.co.uk
