Ooh - quick question... I can't find how to do that multiple consignment thing on the ParcelForce website.
How does it work?
Do you take a big bag of individual parcels to the post office and then stick them in a box? I just want to make sure I have proof for each item if they are shipped in bulk as I don't trust Q's warehouse to account for all of them if they get them in one box IYSWIM.
I go to the Post Office Tiddly, I couldn't find anything about it online either last time I looked. So, as long as all the parcels are going to the same address (QVC
check!) parcel them all separately just as you would posting them by Royal Mail. This meets QVC's requirements to send each return in it's own package so that their "robot" (or spotty YTS yoof) can scan each label barcode as it's received.
I take the to the PO and ask for a ParcelForce Consignment (if they look blank get them to phone the lovely sub-postmaster Richard on 01903 242778, he's a wizz!). The process goes something like this: Each package gets a PF sticker with unique barcode which the PO staff scan and all are linked to the same transaction receipt (you get a proof of posting with all the individual barcodes listed and the overall tracking number.
The tracking is on a par with RM Special delivery - fully trackable at all stages. I go for the guaranteed 48 hour delivery with £100 cover. The price is worked out by adding the weight of all the packages together (I dump my carrier bag on the scales but some counter staff prefer to weight and add each one).
Once they have the total weight they quote the price; usually 4 or more parcels are cheaper sent this way than sending separately by 2nd Class Signed For (the old Recorded Delivery). I have no idea what the weight increments are but I've sent maybe a dozen parcels for £12...the more you return the more you save (in both ways - once you get your refund :mysmilie_59
.
Parcelforce collect the "consignment" from th PO, all sealed in their own PF sack with the destination details (which is why they all have to have the same address). At my little local PO the PF van picks up around 3pm so if you miss him the 48 hours starts when PF collect the sack from the PO the following
working day.
I only go for the lowest (I think) cover of £100; even if I'm returning 3 Lulu Guinness bags, 2 pairs of shoes and a diamonique ring because if QVC have recieved and refunded one or more of the consignment, but mislay say one of the LG bags they cannot argue that it was never received because you have tracking. I've never had an item go astray sending it this way and the refunds start to come through quickly (but for some reason they're always staggered over a couple of weeks, no idea why. If QVC does mislay the item they would generally accept the proof of posting receipt and make the refund (after the declaration faffing they insist on!)
I don't use this often, but being a shopping bulimic if I order say a garment, then I'll order a couple of sizes and save up any other returns (within the 30 day period) so I can use this method. Hope this makes sense?
