Buying Packaging

[ero.vrko1]

Hi,

Probably just going to have a rant here, so be warned.

I live Scottish Highlands so understand that deliveries can be awkward but... I have been trying for about the past month, maybe longer to purchase good quality big bubble wrap, ordered three items, three different companies and still no bubble wrap. 

They provide a Tracking Number and nothing happens, the last company I emailed/messaged and asked if it had been despatched and I was told yes, it has been despatched and is on it's way - that's been refunded now. So ordered again from a different supplier, and same thing again, a tracking reference number was provided nearly a week ago and nothing since.

Okay so, rant over! 

[*vyolla*]

When you check the tracking numbers on Royal Mail or the couriers website is there any info there?

[ero.vrko1]

This is what comes up when I put the latest tracking information into Royal Mail:

The sender has advised they have despatched your item to Royal Mail

Sunday 29 September 2024

13:07

Sender has despatched item

That information hasn't changed since last Sunday.

[*vyolla*]

That sounds like they just bought a label, it doesn't indicate that they actually used it and sent the item.

[ero.vrko1]

I even tried to buy more from the supplier who I bought big bubble wrap from before, but they no longer ship to my postcode!

This is the third different company I've tried and each time they do the same, send tracking for a label and then I start waiting.

[pg_kicks]

I'm going to guess its to one of the postcodes below

All IV, All KW, PA20-PA78, KA27-KA28, PH4 - PH50, All HS, All ZE, All IM, All BT and specific AB

I've just checked the website of where i get my packaging and they all say if you are in that postcode please contact them first for a surcharge, due to the sizes they never send via Royal Mail its also DX or something similar, I think it might be best if you were to contact them first and they might get you a new postage charge.

[ile136yz]

Have you looked on line for an eBay Seller of Bubble wrap near to you which may give you a better deal on the postage & delivery? 

I got my last bubble wrap was from a local Car Boot, three large rolls the size of a car wheel for £5 each.

[ero.vrko1]

I have tried to look for a local seller but there is none, that I can see. 

I have contacted the seller again who have provided me with a tracking number again, asking whether it has been despatched yet (after ordering on 27th Sept) and I'll contact one of the other companies who sell it and see if I can get some ordered. 

[signs_and_vintage]

From experience, a lot of the sellers in this category appear to be multiple storefronts and brands for the same Ltd. company and/or drop shippers for national office suppliers, so this is a bit of a pain.

It's very, very annoying that eBay don't allow you to filter sellers by postal service. As has been pointed out, sadly Royal Mail are often NOT used for items in this category either due to the size of items. If only they hadn't scrapped RM Economy Parcels eh?

Personally I go out of my way to help buyers in those areas but then again I generally only use RM and PF anyway, so no issues with highlands, islands, and NI there.

[ero.vrko1]

Yeah, I received a refund again and the wording on the message was completely identical to the last time I received a refund from a supposedly different company. 

I'm thinking now it was some sort of miracle that I have had big bubble wrap sent to me here in the Highlands previously!  I've tried going back to the same company but if I want anything from them I have to put in an alternate address as they don't deliver to here now. 

[crg_music]

Itll probably be the courier. Likely not using Royal mail as they are contracted to deliver to every single UK address where the others can do as they please and often wont do anything much north of Glasgow or off the mainland. Parcelforce I think are the same as Royal mail in this regard. Evri also seem to deliver up there.

I guess you need to find someone that either uses or is willing to use Royal mail, Parcelforce or Evri but there might be a slight premium. 

How big a parcel are we talking?, buying in smaller amounts might work.

[dougbat20]

---

@crg_music wrote:

Itll probably be the courier. Likely not using Royal mail as they are contracted to deliver to every single UK address where the others can do as they please and often wont do anything much north of Glasgow or off the mainland. Parcelforce I think are the same as Royal mail in this regard. Evri also seem to deliver up there.

I guess you need to find someone that either uses or is willing to use Royal mail, Parcelforce or Evri but there might be a slight premium. 

How big a parcel are we talking?, buying in smaller amounts might work.

---

Yes, Evri do deliver to Scottish Highlands however they do add a small surcharge onto the price, and the overall size of the parcel (length plus girth) cannot be greater than 245cm. Which is better than Royal Mail's fixed 61cm maximum or Yodel's maximum of 60cm.

You can't even use Royal Mail's tube service as the length must be less than 90cm and length + 2 diameters must be under 104cm.

Most couriers will deliver to problematic postcodes albeit with a significant surcharge, hence why sellers usually don't bother as the extra amount is quite excessive. 

[moldosgifts]

That a very good deal, Ive an 8 x 5 foot shed brimming with bubble wrap and soft packaging all was free.

It's repurposed from furniture. Just hope my shed doeas'nt catch fire !!!

[moldosgifts]

Try Globe Packaging they use parcel force and dx carrier services they have a list of postcodes you message them for price on delivery.

Ive used them for some boxes before very good service.

I think they are on ebay also.

[eastern-lights]

Have a look at Big Dug, not an obvious first choice for packaging but they do bubble wrap. You might need to order more than one roll to make it cost effective. There is a shipping charge but it is the same for all mainland: "Mainland GB Includes England, Scotland, and Wales, including all of the Great Britain landmass and including land connected by road/rail (such as Skye and Anglesey), but not including the islands accessible only by water/air transport. "

[pg_kicks]

Thats who I copied the list of postcodes from, if they are in any of those postcodes there will be a surcharge but globe are the cheapest/best I've found, had a couple of issues with deliveries but once you get past the fact the customer service seems to be 1 person who doesnt sound like they want to be there they sort it out.

[ero.vrko1]

Thanks for your suggestions, I'm having a look at these today. Hopefully will get something sorted.