*
489°
Posted 11 hours ago
Parcel Collect Free Including Online Purchases and Pre-paid Returns
Shared by
kin88
Joined in 2020
4,810
2,279
About this deal
Noticed this is still available and was due to end on 30/04/24. According to the FAQ it states ‘all collections remain free until further notice’
Take the effort out of sending parcels
With Parcel Collect, we'll pick up your parcels from your home, safeplace or work. We'll even bring your labels too.
Using Parcel Collect is simple
Haven't bought your postage yet? Simply buy your postage and book your collection
Bought postage already or have a pre-paid return?
Book your collection online or via the Royal Mail app. Choose for us to bring your label*, or print one yourself. We'll collect.
Regularly selling online?
You can put all your orders from your online stores into your Click & Drop account and get your packages out the door in no time.
Send your sold items with ease
1.Register and integrate your online accounts
2. Buy your postage
3. Book a collection – we’ll even bring your labels too
Selling overseas?
Send your parcels with confidence.
Whatever your collection needs, Royal Mail have a handy solution
Don’t have a printer?
No problem. Just select our ‘Bring my label’ option when booking your UK collection onlineOpens in a new window or via our App, and your postie will bring your labels to you.
Not going to be in?
We can take care of that too! You can arrange to leave your parcels in your nominated Safeplace for collection.*
Have a return to send back?
Simply use the pre-paid returns label if you have one or buy your postage and print the label, book a collection and give it to your postie.
Looking for a business collection?
We offer convenient and cost-effective parcel collections from your premises.
Parcel Collect FAQs:
Could I have more information on how to book a collection?
Buy postage with Click & DropOpens in a new window either online or on the Royal Mail App. Or you can use a pre-paid label.
Select the items you wish to have collected and input the recipient and sender details
Once the items are in your basket, select the “Arrange collection” option
You can then add the collection details, select the day of your collection and proceed to checkout as normal
Either print your label and affix to your parcel, or choose our “Bring my label” service and we’ll bring your labels to you*
Your postie will call round to collect your parcel as part of their usual ‘round’
Is there a limit to the number of parcels I can have collected?
Yes, there is a limit to the number of items you can have collected with Parcel Collect. The maximum permitted items is 25, however, we recommend if you are sending more than 20 parcels a week, please speak with us about a Business account.
What label do I use?
Please ensure your item has a postage label affixed that you have purchased or received as a Returns label which is not the QR code.
Why not try our Bring My Label service when booking a collection?
Alternatively, your postie can bring your labels when they come to collect. Simply select the ‘Bring my label’ option as you’re booking your collection. Your postie will bring your labels on your collection date, and pass them to you to affix to your parcel(s).
If I’m not going to be in, can my parcel still be collected?
You can arrange to leave your parcel(s) in your nominated Safeplace for collection.*
Can I arrange a collection for a return?
Yes we can collect returns. If you’re using a pre-paid and printed label, when booking your collection for a Tracked Return item, please use the reference number on the label containing the retailer’s return address. Otherwise we can’t accept your item and you may still be charged.
If you don’t have a pre-paid, printed label, you can buy postage and book a collection
Why can’t I book a collection?
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, service may be disrupted and we may need to suspend Parcel Collect in certain areas. If this is the case, you will be presented with a message to let you know we’re unable to book collections for your postcode at the moment. Please check our Service Updates page
Can I arrange a parcel collection with the Royal Mail App?
Yes, you can arrange a collection with our Parcel Collect service using the Royal Mail App. Visit royalmail.com/downloadapp, and book a collection from the App home screen.
Can I book a collection for a COVID-19 home test kit?
Yes, you can use our Parcel Collect service to return completed COVID-19 home test kits.
If you book a collection for a COVID-19 home test using Parcel Collect, please ensure that the items are packaged correctly, otherwise we may refuse to accept it and you may not be entitled to a refund.
Can I use Parcel Collect for next day guaranteed delivery?
Do you need a next day guaranteed delivery? If so, you should use our Special Delivery Guaranteed service. Because we add a working day to our aims and guarantees with Parcel Collect, if you need a next day guaranteed delivery, you can still buy your postage online but please continue to take your item to a Post Office.
Do you want to post a Special Delivery Guaranteed item but do not need it to be guaranteed for the next working day? If so, you can book and use Parcel Collect, we’ll still take care of your items and deliver them as safely as we usually do; we just add a working day to the guarantee so they’ll be guaranteed to be delivered within two working days (exceptions apply).
If I use Parcel Collect when will my item be delivered?
We add a working day to our delivery aims and guarantees with Parcel Collect as we collect at the same time as making our regular deliveries
What is the new Same Day collections feature?
Customers can hand over extra items to their postie which have not been booked for a collection. The extra items require a barcoded Royal Mail label to be applied. The posties will collect these items on a best endeavours basis.
How will the postie know to collect these items?
You must have an existing collection booked within Click & DropOpens in a new window.
Once the postie collects your booked items, you can ask them to take your extra items.
What does ‘best endeavours’ mean?
Our posties will do their best to collect all your extra items, but this cannot be guaranteed as they may not have the capacity to do so.
What happens to the items that aren’t collected?
Should the postie be unable to collect the extra items, you can either book a collection or attempt to hand them over again on another day for which you have a pre-existing collection booking.
Which products are included?
Products included are: Tracked 24, Tracked 48 (including Age Verification), 1st or 2nd Class, Special Delivery Guaranteed, Royal Mail Signed For, International (Standard, Economy, Tracked, Signed**, Tracked and Signed**.
Extra items can be outbound, returns, domestic or international.
**Country exclusions apply
Are there any exclusions?
Posties are unable to bring a label for extra items or collect them from a safe place. Items without a barcoded address label cannot be collected, such as 1st Class stamps.
What postage do I pay?
Tracked parcels booked via Parcel Collect, posted in a Parcel Box, Post Box or a Customer Service Point, attract a 20p reduction in the postage price. Tracked Parcels that are booked to be dropped off at a Post Office branch will attract the full postage price.
If the Tracked parcel(s) is not collected, you can rebook a collection for the following day. However if you take it to a Post Office branch after you receive confirmation that the collection will not take place, you will not pay the full postage price.
Are the collections free?
Yes, all collections remain £0 until further notice
Are the collections free if I rebook the extra items?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of £0 collections.
Which parcels have a reduced price?
Royal Mail offers a reduced postage price if you choose to use Parcel Collect for Tracked parcels. The products that attract this reduction are:
Medium Parcel - Tracked 24 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Medium Parcel - Tracked 48 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Small Parcel - Tracked 24 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Small Parcel - Tracked 48 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
How do I track my items?
Tracking can be viewed at royalmail.com/track-your-item.
Tracking details vary by product.
Will I receive a proof of posting for my extra items?
You will not get a proof of posting for each additional item. Upon handover, the postie will scan the extra items at the door which can then be tracked at royalmail.com/track-your-item subject to the product used.
Take the effort out of sending parcels
With Parcel Collect, we'll pick up your parcels from your home, safeplace or work. We'll even bring your labels too.
Using Parcel Collect is simple
Haven't bought your postage yet? Simply buy your postage and book your collection
Bought postage already or have a pre-paid return?
Book your collection online or via the Royal Mail app. Choose for us to bring your label*, or print one yourself. We'll collect.
Regularly selling online?
You can put all your orders from your online stores into your Click & Drop account and get your packages out the door in no time.
Send your sold items with ease
1.Register and integrate your online accounts
2. Buy your postage
3. Book a collection – we’ll even bring your labels too
Selling overseas?
Send your parcels with confidence.
Whatever your collection needs, Royal Mail have a handy solution
Don’t have a printer?
No problem. Just select our ‘Bring my label’ option when booking your UK collection onlineOpens in a new window or via our App, and your postie will bring your labels to you.
Not going to be in?
We can take care of that too! You can arrange to leave your parcels in your nominated Safeplace for collection.*
Have a return to send back?
Simply use the pre-paid returns label if you have one or buy your postage and print the label, book a collection and give it to your postie.
Looking for a business collection?
We offer convenient and cost-effective parcel collections from your premises.
Parcel Collect FAQs:
Could I have more information on how to book a collection?
Buy postage with Click & DropOpens in a new window either online or on the Royal Mail App. Or you can use a pre-paid label.
Select the items you wish to have collected and input the recipient and sender details
Once the items are in your basket, select the “Arrange collection” option
You can then add the collection details, select the day of your collection and proceed to checkout as normal
Either print your label and affix to your parcel, or choose our “Bring my label” service and we’ll bring your labels to you*
Your postie will call round to collect your parcel as part of their usual ‘round’
Is there a limit to the number of parcels I can have collected?
Yes, there is a limit to the number of items you can have collected with Parcel Collect. The maximum permitted items is 25, however, we recommend if you are sending more than 20 parcels a week, please speak with us about a Business account.
What label do I use?
Please ensure your item has a postage label affixed that you have purchased or received as a Returns label which is not the QR code.
Why not try our Bring My Label service when booking a collection?
Alternatively, your postie can bring your labels when they come to collect. Simply select the ‘Bring my label’ option as you’re booking your collection. Your postie will bring your labels on your collection date, and pass them to you to affix to your parcel(s).
If I’m not going to be in, can my parcel still be collected?
You can arrange to leave your parcel(s) in your nominated Safeplace for collection.*
Can I arrange a collection for a return?
Yes we can collect returns. If you’re using a pre-paid and printed label, when booking your collection for a Tracked Return item, please use the reference number on the label containing the retailer’s return address. Otherwise we can’t accept your item and you may still be charged.
If you don’t have a pre-paid, printed label, you can buy postage and book a collection
Why can’t I book a collection?
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, service may be disrupted and we may need to suspend Parcel Collect in certain areas. If this is the case, you will be presented with a message to let you know we’re unable to book collections for your postcode at the moment. Please check our Service Updates page
Can I arrange a parcel collection with the Royal Mail App?
Yes, you can arrange a collection with our Parcel Collect service using the Royal Mail App. Visit royalmail.com/downloadapp, and book a collection from the App home screen.
Can I book a collection for a COVID-19 home test kit?
Yes, you can use our Parcel Collect service to return completed COVID-19 home test kits.
If you book a collection for a COVID-19 home test using Parcel Collect, please ensure that the items are packaged correctly, otherwise we may refuse to accept it and you may not be entitled to a refund.
Can I use Parcel Collect for next day guaranteed delivery?
Do you need a next day guaranteed delivery? If so, you should use our Special Delivery Guaranteed service. Because we add a working day to our aims and guarantees with Parcel Collect, if you need a next day guaranteed delivery, you can still buy your postage online but please continue to take your item to a Post Office.
Do you want to post a Special Delivery Guaranteed item but do not need it to be guaranteed for the next working day? If so, you can book and use Parcel Collect, we’ll still take care of your items and deliver them as safely as we usually do; we just add a working day to the guarantee so they’ll be guaranteed to be delivered within two working days (exceptions apply).
If I use Parcel Collect when will my item be delivered?
We add a working day to our delivery aims and guarantees with Parcel Collect as we collect at the same time as making our regular deliveries
What is the new Same Day collections feature?
Customers can hand over extra items to their postie which have not been booked for a collection. The extra items require a barcoded Royal Mail label to be applied. The posties will collect these items on a best endeavours basis.
How will the postie know to collect these items?
You must have an existing collection booked within Click & DropOpens in a new window.
Once the postie collects your booked items, you can ask them to take your extra items.
What does ‘best endeavours’ mean?
Our posties will do their best to collect all your extra items, but this cannot be guaranteed as they may not have the capacity to do so.
What happens to the items that aren’t collected?
Should the postie be unable to collect the extra items, you can either book a collection or attempt to hand them over again on another day for which you have a pre-existing collection booking.
Which products are included?
Products included are: Tracked 24, Tracked 48 (including Age Verification), 1st or 2nd Class, Special Delivery Guaranteed, Royal Mail Signed For, International (Standard, Economy, Tracked, Signed**, Tracked and Signed**.
Extra items can be outbound, returns, domestic or international.
**Country exclusions apply
Are there any exclusions?
Posties are unable to bring a label for extra items or collect them from a safe place. Items without a barcoded address label cannot be collected, such as 1st Class stamps.
What postage do I pay?
Tracked parcels booked via Parcel Collect, posted in a Parcel Box, Post Box or a Customer Service Point, attract a 20p reduction in the postage price. Tracked Parcels that are booked to be dropped off at a Post Office branch will attract the full postage price.
If the Tracked parcel(s) is not collected, you can rebook a collection for the following day. However if you take it to a Post Office branch after you receive confirmation that the collection will not take place, you will not pay the full postage price.
Are the collections free?
Yes, all collections remain £0 until further notice
Are the collections free if I rebook the extra items?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of £0 collections.
Which parcels have a reduced price?
Royal Mail offers a reduced postage price if you choose to use Parcel Collect for Tracked parcels. The products that attract this reduction are:
Medium Parcel - Tracked 24 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Medium Parcel - Tracked 48 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Small Parcel - Tracked 24 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
Small Parcel - Tracked 48 (including Signed For and/or Age Verification)
How do I track my items?
Tracking can be viewed at royalmail.com/track-your-item.
Tracking details vary by product.
Will I receive a proof of posting for my extra items?
You will not get a proof of posting for each additional item. Upon handover, the postie will scan the extra items at the door which can then be tracked at royalmail.com/track-your-item subject to the product used.
More details at Community Updates
Edited by kin88, 11 hours ago
61 Comments
sorted byWhen you book a collection the label comes by default, you need to opt OUT of this even if you already have a label on it.
*if you do need a label PLEASE check your confirmation email says the postie will be bringing one, especially if Amazon Live Chat have arranged the pick up, been to SOOOO many doors, customer expecting label and we don't have one, if we don't we can't collect unfortunately.
Please have your items boxed, taped up, ready and available for the postie arriving.
Had a woman the other day that said she thought I was bringing the box and sellotape.
Max item count for collection the posties PDA will allow is 25 items, as small businesses were trying to use the free service when the cap was 50.
You only need to book ONE item, and an additional 24 can be handed over if for example ebay items have sold overnight, but keep in mind your postie will only be expecting to collect 1 item.
(this is a best endeavour situation and if the postie has space in their van, also these items will need to have a label on them by the customer to allow us to scan).
You don't need to wait in all day as some have suggested.
You can specify to have your item collected from a safeplace on your property ie, shed, garage, cupboard.
(please note if you choose the safeplace option and for the postie to bring a label, it can only be ONE item as the postie wouldn't know what labels go on what parcel if it was more than one).
If the items already have a label on them, you can do a max of 25 from a safeplace.
And
Royal Mail
Are two separate companies, that's why.
I send a lot of parcels and my postie is genuinely fed up so I sometimes go and pay the extra just to not wind him up
I've sold over 500 items on Vinted. I've tried to send about 50 by Royal Mail. Only a fraction actually arrived within a week. Every time I booked collection, the parcels were almost never collected. We have a camera at the front of our property and the postie either knocked on the door before walking away (we weren't in and the parcels were left in our safe place which was stated (with a clear description of where that was EVERY time when booking online), or they would post normal mail through our letterbox before leaving without attempting to collect a parcel. They either weren't given that information or didn't bother to read it.
On the couple of occasions the parcels WERE collected, it was when I actually intercepted the posties and they told me they'd come back at the end of their local round to collect. They DID, but it shouldn't be like this.
I will NEVER use this service again.
I only use Evri now, and the number of parcels which have gone missing in the last two years (of that 500-ish), is zero. Many actually arrive next day even when paying for their normal service, and almost all are delivered within three working days.
Neighbours a postie. Top guy.
Walks 14+ miles a day in all weathers.
Then some people have the audacity to moan in their office jobs.
Delivery failures are by head office changing hours, terms, delivery patterns, not your postie.
Many tales of woe from wrong labels /missing collection scans
The prices go up all the time if your getting 10 years old prices now then your post office is a bargain lol
i stik to Evri for all the faults they have if i pack my items well (so the could play football with it) the tracking is good my items get picked up on time and in 8 years of using them only 1 of my parcels have got lost that i have sent..
most the time its us or online companys not packing items well and making sure the address is suck on so it dont get ripped off by other mail items (edited)
Work from home and use a variety of carriers as have a daily in/out package run (different carriers usually when I'm not the one picking if it's not RM)
Totally dependent on your local post team, but mine have never missed a collection and properly scan and process each package even if I'm not in (secure entry apartment access)
Whereas being rural based, other carriers can be a nightmare -
Evri/Yodel will blow a collection date always by between 2-7 days on average - they also love to say I wasn't in for a collection (have actually watched the Evri guy pull up in his van, whip out tablet to press a few buttons then drive off, then you get a 'sorry we missed you" notification lol) or just chuck the package outside in the street if delivery,
DPD randomly decide wether or not my area is serviceable when using their online portal (you tend not to find out until another party processes a shipment request at my address)
UPS are super fast/efficient - but hit my area with a hefty 'rural/remote service fee'
With my local RM we get the odd thing that's set as signature required (outside of just a photo) and the local postie will even keep it in his van and come back round later if he missed me, same with the odd collection items that's missed the cutoff time (e.g. we effectively can get two pickups or delivery slots a day by RM split between AM/PM - just like the old days!)
Tend to make sure they get an Xmas gift and such as they go well beyond the service they are required to provide (edited)
Royal Mail might be sold off soon. A foreign company have made an offer for the business.. watch this space. If you think things can't get worse well i've got news for you, yes they can.