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About Parcel PickUp
Hi there,
I was just starting the third and final year of my product design degree as a mature student in Bristol. As the last part of my course, I had to present three ‘every day issues’ that needed solving to my tutors, the plan being that one of these issues would become my final year project.
On the day of the presentation, I received a missed delivery slip instead of the parcel I had been really looking forward to getting (a new bit of kit for my computer!) My heart sank as I realised I was going to have to re-arrange my weekend to make the 20 mile round trip to some out-of-the-way delivery company depot to pick it up.
But the good news was that I now had a very real issue for my presentation!
I think some of my tutors must have experienced missed deliveries themselves that week as they all stongly encouraged me to work on this issue for my final year project.
So I set about coming up with a solution. I initially assumed I would design some form of locked box concept that could intergrate seamlessly into peoples’ households, or make some kind of space age device that could inform the delivery man of his customer’s location, no matter where they were in the world and lead him directly to them.
Having researched the subject for 6 months and spent time interviewing industry professionals, I realised that there might be a much simpler and more practical solution, not so much a product but a service. I came up with the simple concept whereby customers could just pick up their deliveries from someone who would always be in, and from a convenient place, say on the way home from work.
I wanted a service that could be used for any purchase, from any online retailer and using any delivery company. And just as importantly, I wanted a service that would be safe and secure, led by its customers and the local delivery places they wanted to use.
Considering I was doing a Product Design degree, it came as no surprise that my tutors, although enthusiastic about the idea, felt my solution wasn’t so much about design, rather it was about business! I had no exciting drawings or models to show them but fortunately, I was encouraged to enter my idea into a business ideas competition (BizIdea 2006/7) and thankfully the judges seem to think I just might be on to something and awarded the newly named Parcel PickUp a merited final place.
http://rbi.uwe.ac.uk/Internet/Innovation/thebizidea/video/finalists2006-7.asp?videoindex=7
Since then I have spent every day working to develop my idea. From becoming the first agent myself and testing out the concept from my own home, I have moved on to take on local, independent shops across the country as Collection Point Agents, in convenient locations with friendly staff and long opening hours.
I hope you like my idea and the way it’s developing. If you do, then just maybe this story will have a happy ending... and missed deliveries will become a thing of the past!
Warm wishes
Ed
Ed Fraser: MD Parcel PickUp
How it works
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To use Parcel PickUp all you need is access to a computer, an email address and a mobile phone number.
Step 1: Select an agent* and register your details. We'll then email you a password.
Step 2: Log in, you will be asked to submit your 12 digit Address Verification Code.** We'll have sent this to you by post but don't worry if you haven't received it yet, just click on Skip instead. You will be taken to the Welcome page where you will find the address details of your agent, for your next delivery. Use this address for your online purchase. Then click on Arrange a delivery to let us know it's on its way. You'll be asked for payment unless it's your first delivery.
Step 3: Your agent takes delivery of your parcel(s) and our system immediately informs you by both email and text message.
Step 4: Check your agent's opening hours and pick up your parcels at a time that suits you. Don't forget to bring the codes we sent you in your text or email and some proof of ID.***
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* You will be able to select up to 3 additional agents when you have registered.
** You must submit your 12 digit Address Verification Code before you can collect your first delivery from your agent. Please allow up to 7 working days.
*** This is required for your first delivery only. Accepted forms of ID include: Passport, driver's license, company ID card, student ID card.
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Need more information?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Prices and payment
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| Services |
Price |
| Registration |
Free |
| First delivery |
Free |
| Each subsequent delivery |
£2.00* |
| Storage of deliveries |
Free** |
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For deliveries worth more than £100 get a quote here.
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At Parcel PickUp we guarantee all deliveries (inc. P & P) in our agents' care against loss, damage or theft.
* We guarantee goods in the hands of our agents, against loss theft or damage. For deliveries costing more than £100 a handling fee of 1.5% applies to the excess ie the amount over £100, click above on 'get a quote here' for more details.
** Storage of deliveries is free for up to 4 weeks. See Terms and conditions for more information.
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It's 'win win' for customers and retailers!
We regard protecting the interests of online retailers as core to our future business success as we depend on your confidence in offering the Parcel PickUp service to your customers. Have a read below to find out what you and your customers can expect to gain in being part of Parcel PickUp.
Benefits to you and your customers...
Using local Parcel PickUp agents to take deliveries on your customers' behalf means no more missed deliveries for your customers and no more uncollected deliveries being returned to you.
This means you can:
1. Increase your potential market and attract customers who have been put off making internet purchases by having to wait in for them to arrive or dread the trips to out of the way courier company depots.
2. Lower courier expenses. The average number of journeys it takes to deliver a parcel successfully is between 1.5 and 2.5 journeys per domestic delivery attempt. Our agents guarantee to take delivery first time.
3. Expect faster turnarounds. 59% of our customers collect their deliveries the same day, 78% of our customers collect within just 48 hours of their agent taking delivery.
4. Help the environment. With no more missed deliveries by couriers and no more trips by customers to out of town delivery company depots, you are contributing to a significant saving in the CO2 footprint of your products.
What else?
All our customers are thoroughly screened.
We check the validity of the address provided by every customer before they can collect any deliveries from our agents. This is an industry first! Our customers are also required to show ID to prove that they are who they say they are when they collect their first delivery.
We take full responsibility for your customers' goods.
Parcel PickUp Ltd will reimburse customers the full cost of their purchases (inc p&p) in the event of loss, damage or theft while in possession by any of our agents. Another industry first! Plus, in the unlikely event of fraud we would be happy to work with online retailers in every way possible.
The future, API's and additional income streams for online retailers...
We are in the process of developing a REST based API to integrate directly with for eretailers to improve customer experience of shopping online and accessing the Parcel PickUp service. This API will further increase the efficiency, accuracy and security of internet deliveries and has the potential to become a 'bolt on' for payment providers and ecommerce providers. It would be cost effective for us and we plan to use these cost savings to provide additional revenue sources to participating eretailers. We are now actively seeking input from eretailers, courier companies, payment providers, web developers and others. Like to get involved? Get in touch, we'd love to talk with you!
Parcel PickUp's Mission:
To be good for local communities and good for the globe
At Parcel PickUp we are passionate about internet shopping; we love the fact that by using the internet we can source exactly the goods we want at the most competitive prices, and all of this can be arranged from the comfort of our own home. Furthermore, with goods sometimes being transported directly from producer to consumer, we know that internet shopping has the potential to be the most efficient and environmentally-friendly method of distribution. However, the reality of internet shopping can sometimes be less than perfect and it’s usually the 'last mile' i.e., the delivery process that often spoils it for us.
Some shoppers are fortunate enough to be able to have some of their deliveries made to their work address or have a friend, relative or a neighbour available to take delivery for them. However, for the majority of us, this is either inappropriate or impractical and as a result, almost a third of delivery attempts to our homes end up in delivery depots or being sent back to the retailer.
Delivery depots can be hard to find, have restrictive opening hours and are often situated further away than the shops we were hoping to avoid in the first place! This not only causes inconvenience to us personally, but also significantly increases the CO2 footprint of the products we purchase.
Parcel PickUp has been set up to provide a convenient solution to these issues by not only eliminating failed delivery attempts made by couriers but by also providing a convenient ‘one stop shop’ for all shopping deliveries, open at times to suit busy modern lifestyles.
Terms and conditions
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Parcel Pickup is the trading name of Parcel PickUp Limited, registered company no.6508943.
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1 Labeling:
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See your Welcome back page for your example of correct labeling.
Use the name and address of your chosen Parcel PickUp agent as your delivery address. Next to your agent’s name write your supplied code. Please note that part of this code changes with each delivery.
Parcel PickUp cannot be held responsible for the loss of a parcel if its address is incorrect or incomplete.
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2 Guarantee:
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| We take responsibility for loss, theft or damage of all items in our care. We cover the price paid for the goods and associated postage and packing costs. See Pricing and Payment for the maximum value of a delivery item Parcel PickUp can handle on your behalf. |
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3 Claims:
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We will compensate customers within 28 days in full, in the event of loss, theft or damage, where proof of delivery to the Parcel PickUp agent can be provided. This will normally be either in the form of a signature, taken from the Parcel PickUp agent, by the courier as a confirmation of delivery or where the Parcel PickUp agent has confirmed receipt of a delivery.
However, where evidence of a delivery to the Parcel PickUp agent does not exist and the Parcel PickUp agent disputes receiving the delivery, compensation for a missing delivery is strictly at the discretion of Parcel PickUp. We require that before any claim is commenced, you have taken steps to ensure that:
I. The delivery was sent by the retailer to the correct Parcel PickUp agent;
II. You have waited a reasonable length of time for the delivery to arrive at the Parcel PickUp agent’s address;
III. You have checked, and are able to prove that you have paid the retailer for your delivery;
IV. You have requested and recorded relevant courier tracking reference numbers from the retailer;
V. You can demonstrate that you have requested and been rejected for compensation from the online retailer;
VI. You can demonstrate that you have requested and been rejected for compensation from the courier.
Having followed these steps and having been unsuccessful in locating or being compensated for your lost/stolen delivery, you may start the claim application process with Parcel PickUp. We may request evidence that you have followed the steps above before proceeding with your claim application.
Furthermore, we may require that you permit us to discuss your delivery with the retailer, courier company and financial institution directly.
Moreover, in the event that Parcel PickUp has compensated you for a lost or stolen item/s, the item/s then become the property of Parcel PickUp. You are required to inform Parcel PickUp immediately should any item subsequently be delivered to you, found or retrieved. As now the property of Parcel PickUp, Parcel PickUp may take ownership of and dispose of items as it feels fit. However, we will endeavour to provide you with an opportunity to purchase the goods back using the compensation you have received (if you have not already replaced the item/s). |
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4 Conditions of services:
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| Parcel PickUp reserves the right to withdraw service from registered customers, without explanation or advanced warning. |
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5 Size and Weight:
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| We are flexible in the size and weight of parcels we can take delivery of and store for you. However, unless otherwise agreed, we cannot accept very large or heavy deliveries (such as kitchen appliances, furniture, heavy tools or equipment), which might require lifting equipment. If in doubt, please contact us before arranging delivery of your purchase and filling out your Parcel PickUp submission form. |
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6 Exclusions:
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Parcel PickUp does not accept:
I. Time sensitive deliveries (such as tickets) unless prior consent from the Parcel PickUp agent has been given and agreed, in writing on a per delivery basis;
II. Items which require payment on delivery;
III. Items which are visibly broken, damaged or leaking;
IV. Deliveries containing live animals or live animal foodstuffs;
V. Illegal items of any description;
VI. Any food items such as fruit and meat delivered from outside the UK, as these may be illegal to import.
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7 Collection and storage charges:
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At Parcel PickUp we endeavour to take collection of and store your parcels in a safe environment. However, we cannot be held responsible for the natural deterioration of goods while in our care. Therefore, collection should be made as soon as possible. If for any reason you are unable to collect your parcel/s, please refer to Prices and Payment for Storage charges.
Parcels will only be released on receipt of your proof of identity and payment.
Parcel PickUp does not make onward deliveries. If we have been unable to contact you and have received no instruction from you within 12 weeks from the delivery date, we will assume you no longer require your parcel/s and will dispose of it/them (please note that this is a last resort and we will try our utmost to get hold of you first). |
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8 Prices:
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| Parcel PickUp reserves the right to change or amend its prices and services at any time and without prior notice. However, changes will only be implemented after they have been published on the Parcel PickUp website. Please see Pricing and Payment for further details. |
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9 Data protection and privacy:
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Parcel PickUp collects information about you to process your parcel delivery requirements. In order to accept your parcel/s, we require you to register by providing us with your name, home address, email address, mobile phone number (if applicable) and a personal password of your choosing (to enable you to login). We also request that you first inform us about how you heard about our service.
Information collected from you will not be given to any other party. However, we retain the right to disclose personal information to the appropriate legal authorities, where we believe this may aid in the prevention of fraud. Furthermore, we retain the right to share your personal information with retailers, couriers companies and financial institutions, to track your deliveries and/or aid in the prevention of fraud.
Your details will normally be kept on our system indefinitely. However, should you decide to no longer use the Parcel PickUp service, you may request to have your details removed from our database.
We will only ever use your information lawfully, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. |
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10 Cessation of service:
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| In the unlikely event that Parcel PickUp ceases business, users will be informed immediately. A time period of 1 month will be given for the collection of all parcels. |
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11 Special items:
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If you are having delivered food items, medicines or anything else which may require special handling, you must inform your Parcel PickUp agent before you make your purchase. We cannot be held responsible if your item cannot be taken delivery of by Parcel PickUp and you have already purchased it.
If you are in any doubt of your parcel’s suitability, please contact us before arranging delivery of your purchases and filling out your Parcel PickUp submission form. |
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