How to choose the best courier

CUT down on the cost of using couriers with the help of our guide to
some of the best deals around. Following recent postal strikes, more firms than ever rely on
couriers for fast, reliable and cost-effective service for delivering parcels
and documents. “More and more of the three million small and medium-sized businesses
in the UK are using courier services,” says Stephen Alambritis, spokesman for
The Federation Of Small Businesses. Strong “The average amount spent is between Pounds 250 to Pounds 1,000 per
year on using couriers, though some spend more than Pounds 3,000. “Competition is strong so it pays to shop around for a courier,” he
advises. “You should also monitor your courier service for reliability and
quality, which can evaporate when a company grows.” Here we look at five nationwide couriers and the services and tariffs
they offer. AMTRAK EXPRESS PARCELS Website: amtrak.co.uk Phone: 0870 5456 456. With a turnover of Pounds 70million, Amtrak is a main player in the
national courier market. It has more than 100 depots and 1,000 delivery
vehicles across the UK. Example tariffs -weight up to 10kg. Next working day: Pounds 14.69.
Before 10am: Pounds 24.09. Before midday Pounds 19.39. PARCELFORCE. Website: parcelforce.com Phone: 0800 22 44 66. One of the best-known couriers in the business, Parcelforce is part
of the Consignia group, which also runs the Post Office. They offer a wide range of services and an advanced track-and-trace
system. Example tariffs -weight up to 10kg. Next working day: Pounds 14.25.
Before 10am: Pounds 24.65. Before midday Pounds 17.45. MAILBOX EXPRESS Website: mail-box-express.com Phone: 0113 245 2666 Established in 1994, Mail Box Express offers a same-day, next-day and
international service. They have offices in Leeds, London, Manchester and
Newcastle and can collect or deliver from all parts of the UK, Europe and
throughout the world. Example tariffs -weight up to 10kg. Next working day: Pounds 11.69.
Before 10.30am Pounds 23.49. Before midday Pounds 19.96 IMPATIENT PARCELS
Website: impatientparcels.co.uk Phone: 01934 511 100 Operating from Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds, Impatient Parcels offer
low-cost same-day deliveries and collections. The firm says they aim to pick up anywhere in the UK within 90
minutes for same-day delivery. Example tariffs -weight up to 35kg. Next working day Pounds 7.64.
Next day am Pounds 17.63. SECURICOR OMEGA EXPRESS Website: securicor.com Phone: 0870 2400 555 Securicor is one of Britain’s leading names in the courier business
for customers in both UK and Ireland. The firm have a number of different services -including same-day and
next-day options. Example tariffs -weight up to 10kg. Next working day: Pounds 16.74
Before 10am Pounds 23.79 ALL tariffs quoted are examples and prices could vary
according to what is being sent and whether an account is held with the
courier. (C) The Sun, 2001THE SUN, 26th June 2001