According to studies done, more than half of online shoppers who purchase gifts online placed expensive delivery costs as the most annoying factor about online gift purchases.
If you’re sending gifts out to loved ones this year, you could be subject to high parcel courier costs yourself if you’re not careful. Sending parcels during the holiday season can become quite expensive, but there are ways to save money on shipping.
If you’re interested in how to lower your costs when shipping parcels this year, then keep reading. Here are seven best parcel courier tips for you this holiday season.
1. Choose the Right Service
Choosing the right parcel courier company means comparing several companies and services. Each parcel courier will offer different services. Narrow down which companies to choose between.
To choose the right service, you should know the dimensions and weight of the parcels you want to send. Check this information against each service’s requirements. Furthermore, learning the package specifications, you’re sending means you can get accurate parcel quotes with pricing options based on your requirements.
2. Use the Correct Size Packaging
If you use incorrectly sized packaging when you send a parcel, your shipping prices will be more expensive than if you used properly sized packaging. This is because parcel courier companies factor in the dimensions and weight of your parcel into their fees. So, for example, the larger or heavier your package is, the more expensive shipping will be.
Furthermore, choose packaging that fits the item you want to send so that it’s snug and protected in an adequately sized box. This way, your parcel is appropriately protected while the courier transports it and not rolling around loose in the packaging, which could damage the contents.
3. Use Lightweight Packing Materials
Another easy way to save on shipping prices is by using lightweight packing materials, like air pillows and packing peanuts. Parcel couriers usually charge by weight, so using lightweight materials can reduce the overall weight of your package. Again, this will reduce the costs you incur.
Heavier packaging materials may include metal, wood, and heavy-duty cardboard. Instead, opt for packaging materials made from lighter materials and use fillers like bubble wrap or newspaper to protect items inside the package. Compostable packaging materials are also a great way to care for the environment and not contribute to pollution.
4. Opt For Flat-Rate Shipping
Flat-rate shipping, if available, can make your shipping costs much easier to manage when you send a parcel. This is especially true if you have several packages of varying weights and sizes to send. In addition, by choosing flat-rate shipping, you can better predict shipping costs because the price will remain the same regardless of your parcel.
Opting for flat-rate shipping is especially helpful if you have heavy items to ship. For this reason, you don’t want to choose this shipping option if your packages are all lightweight.
5. Reuse Packaging Material
Reusing packaging material that you already have on hand is a great way to reduce your shipping costs. Over the year, by saving any packaging material you receive from your own orders, you can reuse this packaging material to save money.
Reusing materials like packaging paper, bubble wrap, etc., can all be saved for future parcels. Reusing packaging materials is also a great way to look after the environment.
6. Buy In Bulk
Buying your packaging materials in bulk is a great way to save money. This tactic is best if you’re sending several packages at once or send parcels regularly. Buying in bulk saves you money in several ways, such as saving on gas by reducing the number of trips to the parcel courier.
When you buy in bulk, you also save on the number of transactions you make against your bank. This means you save on bank fees by consolidating your purchases into one.
7. Have Your Parcel Ready
If you want to avoid penalty fees when you send a parcel, ensure your package is ready for the parcel courier before they arrive. This means all shipping labels, packaging, and documentation are prepped and attached as required. If you don’t and need the courier to wait, you could be fined a penalty fee.
Having your package ready to go means the handover experience is smooth. This, in turn, also means that your parcel is not delayed and will get to its recipient even faster.
8. Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute
Finally, another great way to avoid high parcel courier costs is not to wait until the last minute to send. Unfortunately, this means that you may have to be on top of buying your holiday gifts because you’ll need to post these gifts early to avoid high season costs.
The closer to Dec 25 you get, the higher your courier cost. Sending your gifts earlier than most of the country means there is less chance of your gift being delayed in the holiday rush madness.
9. Adjust Your Shipping Options
If you’re sending a particularly high-value gift, try to avoid sending this through the regular post. If you send your package through ordinary post, you will need to opt for the tracking feature, which will boost your parcel costs.
Sending high-value items directly from the online shop to the recipient can help save on shipping costs. Additionally, sending a parcel this way means if the item is lost, the company who sold you the item will most likely compensate you.
Save Money With These Parcel Courier Tips
Sending gifts to loved ones over the holiday season adds to the cost of the gifts themselves, so you want to put some effort into reducing these costs. You can do this in several ways, from reusing old packaging material from other packages to ensure your package is ready for the parcel courier to avoid incurring any penalty fines.
If you’re looking for a reliable parcel courier service that is punctual and has flexible pricing, contact us today. Then, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re using Ottawa’s most reliable courier service.