Parcelforce or DPD

I have been thinking about making this post for the past two weeks ever since I had a visit from the DPD rep. Another thread on this forum has prompted me to make this post.

A few years ago, for parcels over 2kg., we generally used DPD for dispatches to all U.K. postcodes. As time went on, DPD as a group became bigger and bigger, and with that came an increase in some back-office problems. So we shifted to Parcelforce, which also happens to be cheaper than DPD.

On the whole, so far we are happy with Parcelforce. In the coming months, I believe that Parcelforce may come under pressure due to a higher load of parcels going through their system. We are already seeing certain cracks in their back-office operations, as they are taking longer to resolve a small number of delivery issues.

My question is, what do members of this forum based in the U.K. feel about the delivery service they have experienced specifically with Parcelforce or DPD ?

If possible, I would like to take forum members responses into consideration before deciding if we should, or how much we should consider DPDs proposal, which will cost us more than Parcelforce. If there is very little difference in the level of delivery service between the two, there would be little point to switch, at present.

Ketan at ARC.

Hi Ketan I have received quite a few parcels from DPD recently and I like the fact that they give you a one hour slot and they are Usualy within the first quarter of the hour on time and no damage. I posted a parcel with Parcel force next day track and signed for and it took three days to get there, perhaps the virus is giving a false result.

David

Ketan

as a receiver i do like Parcelforce and DPD best ,the tracking i can almost go and open the door and they are there..

ups every time i have a parcel incoming to be delivered today its always delayed and comes the next day

fedex seem ok

i do like Hermes as a receiver the tracking works well and the couriers are reliable. And i do use them a lot for sending items but when anything goes wrong they are impossible to contact.

Hi Ketan

had quite a few deliveries from you lately, as I set up my new workshop and I must say Parcelforce have been fine as have DPD.

Great service from you and them.

Might just be lucky where I live as all other firms deliveries have been fine during covoid.

Ian

Hi Ketan. DPD every time for me. We receive many parcels from DPD. They regularly deliver to us between 2 and 3PM and we always get emails and text confirming delivery slot of 1 hour period. Then if really bored you can track the van online. Great service from DPD and always have options to re arrange or specify where to leave parcel if out. Sorry little experience with Parcelforce.

Its very considerate of you to ask for forum members opinions to influence any decision you make.

Dave

My experience with couriers show that Parcelforce and DPD are streets ahead of the rest. I can't honestly tell any significant difference between the two. I suppose DPD's tracking system puts it slightly ahead of Parcelforce, but as I am retired I don't consider this to be significant.

Andrew.

Before DPD had their tracking system, I would have rated them as poor. Now the tracking system puts them ahead of the others.

The only downside for me is that the nearest depot is at least 20 miles away, so the option to pick up from there is not very convenient!

Stuart

Hi Stuart. DPD have dozens of shop pickup points all over the country. You can elect to have your parcel delivered to any of them for collection at your convenience. If you have a corner shop anywhere near you it will likely have DPD parcel service for collection or deposit. Check DPD collection points on Google.

regards

This year has lead to me becoming well acquainted with the nations delivery firms. DPD are the best in my view.

Dom

Had you asked the question last week I would have said not much between the two however last Friday the bell rang which I answered it was our postman looking down I saw a soggy wet box it would seem the DPD driver had dropped the parcel and walked off I had been in all morning and the bell had not rang.

H

DPD, with Parcelforce a very close second. Royail Mail are fine as well, when the package size suits.

I've recently had excellent service from DPD

For me;

Parcelforce; had one delivery completely go astray, admitted as lost in depot, supplier very promptly sent a replacement but then despite the previous admission of lost I had to fill in countless forms to assist the supplier in claiming for the loss! Original parcel never re-appeared. Generally they don't ring the bell and if they do don't wait more than 5 seconds before sticking a card through the door, seems almost as if the cards are pre written or the drivers are all fast writers! Our nearest collection point is 12 miles away and after 2 failed redeliveries I had to go an collect with passport, utility bill and letter from grandma.

DPD; always recieve a text, always delivered in texted time slot, never had a problem although my wife has had a couple of deliveries come damaged.

My preference on balance for the convenience of knowing when the item will arrive is DPD.

Paul.

Hi Ketan,

Most of my online purchase's are delivered by DPD or Parcelforce and the service of both are to my satisfaction I have had no delivery problems as yet.

I have used Parcelforce for sending parcels in the UK and Abroad I am non business, and found the service OK.

Regards.

I would go with DPD only because of the Tracking system, it does save having to stay by the door bell all day when you are expecting a delivery.

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 28/10/2020 18:41:30

DPD every time as they will leave in a safe place. easier than going to he sorting office to collect parcelforce.

Steve

Check what happens when things go wrong.
Couple of years ago a parcel unexpectedly arrived via Yodel. A supplier had miss addressed it. No way on their website of contacting them at that time unless I wanted to set up an account to send something.
A few months ago, can't remember the courier, another supplier managed to get the address messed up with a postcode for the other end of the country. No checking. It seemed like even the delivery driver working on the postcode did not twig that the address was for a county 200 miles away.

Had a parcelforce delivery last week and information about arrival times was good. I do however regret the lack of an online option to sign for permission to leave in a safe place.

regards Martin

Hermes

DPD everytime for me .... They always deliver on the time they say. Parcel Force is a bit hit or miss .... sometimes OK but I have had multiple late deliveries for example the order for the two books from Arc last week ...

Ordered over the weekend .. Shipped Parcelforce 24 on the Monday ... Arrived Swansea depot at 3am Tuesday morning ... Sat there all day (according to their tracking) - They flagged it as Address error/issue - Went out on van Wednesday (Got the text giving me the window - usual driver) but it never came - again flagged as address error, was finally delivered on Thursday morning. [The address on the parcel was correct and complete]

Regards

Dave (In rural Wales)