Royal Mail launches parcel pick-up service
Royal Mail has launched a new service where postal workers will pick up parcels as part of their daily round.
Called Parcel Collect, the launch marks one of the biggest changes to daily delivery since the launch of the postbox in 1852 and means that online sellers and online shoppers will no longer have to leave their home to mail or return a pre-paid item by post.
The new initiative will see postal workers collect a parcel from the customer’s door or nominated safe place for 72p per parcel, in addition to postage costs. Parcel Collect is also available for pre-paid return items at a cost of 60p per item.
Royal Mail said up to five parcels can be collected per address. The service will be available six days a week and can be booked up to five days in advance and up to midnight the day before.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer at Royal Mail, said: “Royal Mail Parcel Collect is a fantastic step forward for all of 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.”
If an item does not have pre-paid postage such as a return, customers are able to pay for their postage online by visiting Royal Mail’s website or app and opt for ‘Parcel Collect’. They will then be able to work out the correct cost of postage for their item and print out a pre-paid label which is fixed to the package. When the item gets collected, the customer will receive an email notification that acts as proof of postage.
The nationwide launch of the service follows an initial roll-out of Parcel Collect in certain postcode areas of the west of England.
