tech.addict
Herald
For shipping mobiles or items like tablets etc:
i) Blue Dart - the best option but costly - I've used only once and cost was Rs. 1500/- to ship a phone to Arunachal Pradesh that too almost 4 years ago.
ii) TNT - very good - but they don't have any option for insurance and they require you sign an indemnity bond declaring that you will not hold TNT responsible for any loss or damage - I'm not very comfortable with this point for costly items. But nothing happened to me ever!! But I don't use them to ship very costly items. Their rates are quite reasonable too. They only pick up from your home/office. No over the counter booking is available.
One problem that I faced with TNT is with the varying rates. When I called Customer service to get a rate for a package they told me it will cost me say Rs. 145. Next day when I called to book the pick up of the shipment the rates changed - say Rs. 190. If you tell them that you the rate of Rs. 145 for this particular one earlier they will in most cases agree to the earlier quote. So, whenever getting a quote from them take a reference no. and name of the Cust care representative. If rate becomes higher later you can give the reference.
iii) I'm seeing some negative feedback about DTDC. But I mostly use DTDC - and nothing ever happened to my consignments ever!! The trick is to use a branch office rather than a franchisee and use the Plus service.
Also, if you use DTDC to ship costly items - you have to use DTDC Plus and declare it properly and pay 2% of the value declared as insurance charge. So, for a 12K mobile weighing 500 gms shipped to to metro cities your charge is 150/-+Rs. 240 (insurance). Above 500 gm but below 1KG 235/- + 240/-. Rates are a bit higher for non-metro cities. But peace of mind and pocket friendly too.
vi) You can also use Overnite Express - they have mobile service - they charge flat 250 Rs. for this + 2% of the value declared as insurance charge. They'll check the package in front of you and pack it in a tamper proof poly pouch which has a seal no on it - if any body tries to open the pack the seal no . gets torn and that seal no is also mentioned on receipt you receive. You can inform the other party to check the seal and seal no before accepting delivery. So, within 500/- you can ship a mobile worth Rs. 12K very securely.
v) Aramex is good too - very safe and cheaper too. I use their Shop and ship service which is very good. But their domestic service especially their Kolkata office is awfully slow. so, I avoid them for domestic consignments.
Also don't forget to take care of packing.
If the courier guys see that package is insured the sender has taken extra care to pack it properly, they'll think twice before tampering it. The best way to pack the phones/ tablets etc is to pack in their original box which generally has inserts to keep the item from getting damaged. Also, add a piece of thermocol (1cm thick) on the front and bottom of the box. Seal the package with tapes. Pack the package with a newspaper of specific date and again seal it with tapes. Sign all the joints with permanent market in a way that your signature overlaps from the paper to the tape. Finally Place a sheet of thermocol cut in proper size all around the package and wrap all around the package. Finally place the package in a thick polybag (those used for delivery of garments etc from the shop can be used easily but it would look nicer if you just use the package inside out. Again use ample brown tapes to seal ALL the joints completely not leaving any gaps anywhere. Use tapes all around the sides and in a crisscross manner all over the package. Sign on all joints over the tape with permanent market in a way that your signature overlaps from the plastic pack to the tape. Also you can use some pieces of thick paper and sign on it and fix it with Dendrite (rubber based adhesive) on the joints. Don't use Fevicol as Fevicol does not still well on plastic. In this way if anybody wants to open the pack he has to tear off the paper seal. Send a copy of your signature or photo of the package to the buyer so that he can verify the package is intact when he receives it.
Another trick is to use those envelopes printed with "On India Government Service". If you find it hard to find such a package make a rubber stamp (takes 30-40 bucks) and put it on the package. From my experience Govt. documents never get stolen or misplaced. Also make a rubber stamp of your name and address and put it on the sender's name (use the word "Dispatcher" to make it look official).
But for mobiles most couriers will require you to take phone in open condition, they will check, ensure the battery is removed from the phone and list the items in the package in front of you and seal it in their package again.
Keep posting your suggestions for other couriers too - especially that you have used and have good experience.Also, I purchase a lot of things online. So, couriers come to my place twice or thrice a week to deliver parcels or various letters. What I do is to establish a good rapport with the delivery guys. I know the local DTDC delivery guy and knows his mobile no. So, if I'm nobody is at home and a package arrives through DTDC he gives me a call. I also call him in advance when I expect a delivery of something costly. This thing helps. I get delivery even at 9PM after I return home.
Also, choose a particular branch of a courier and stick to it. If you are a regular visitor you'll get extra attention/care. Tell the counter guys in a casual way that you are hearing a lot of reports about theft and your package is in such a way that no body will ever think of stealing it. They will know that you are an aware customer and will think twice before touching your package with bad intention.
And the best way to avoid all these hassles is to deal locally even if you get a bit lower price.
i) Blue Dart - the best option but costly - I've used only once and cost was Rs. 1500/- to ship a phone to Arunachal Pradesh that too almost 4 years ago.
ii) TNT - very good - but they don't have any option for insurance and they require you sign an indemnity bond declaring that you will not hold TNT responsible for any loss or damage - I'm not very comfortable with this point for costly items. But nothing happened to me ever!! But I don't use them to ship very costly items. Their rates are quite reasonable too. They only pick up from your home/office. No over the counter booking is available.
One problem that I faced with TNT is with the varying rates. When I called Customer service to get a rate for a package they told me it will cost me say Rs. 145. Next day when I called to book the pick up of the shipment the rates changed - say Rs. 190. If you tell them that you the rate of Rs. 145 for this particular one earlier they will in most cases agree to the earlier quote. So, whenever getting a quote from them take a reference no. and name of the Cust care representative. If rate becomes higher later you can give the reference.
iii) I'm seeing some negative feedback about DTDC. But I mostly use DTDC - and nothing ever happened to my consignments ever!! The trick is to use a branch office rather than a franchisee and use the Plus service.
Also, if you use DTDC to ship costly items - you have to use DTDC Plus and declare it properly and pay 2% of the value declared as insurance charge. So, for a 12K mobile weighing 500 gms shipped to to metro cities your charge is 150/-+Rs. 240 (insurance). Above 500 gm but below 1KG 235/- + 240/-. Rates are a bit higher for non-metro cities. But peace of mind and pocket friendly too.
vi) You can also use Overnite Express - they have mobile service - they charge flat 250 Rs. for this + 2% of the value declared as insurance charge. They'll check the package in front of you and pack it in a tamper proof poly pouch which has a seal no on it - if any body tries to open the pack the seal no . gets torn and that seal no is also mentioned on receipt you receive. You can inform the other party to check the seal and seal no before accepting delivery. So, within 500/- you can ship a mobile worth Rs. 12K very securely.
v) Aramex is good too - very safe and cheaper too. I use their Shop and ship service which is very good. But their domestic service especially their Kolkata office is awfully slow. so, I avoid them for domestic consignments.
Also don't forget to take care of packing.
If the courier guys see that package is insured the sender has taken extra care to pack it properly, they'll think twice before tampering it. The best way to pack the phones/ tablets etc is to pack in their original box which generally has inserts to keep the item from getting damaged. Also, add a piece of thermocol (1cm thick) on the front and bottom of the box. Seal the package with tapes. Pack the package with a newspaper of specific date and again seal it with tapes. Sign all the joints with permanent market in a way that your signature overlaps from the paper to the tape. Finally Place a sheet of thermocol cut in proper size all around the package and wrap all around the package. Finally place the package in a thick polybag (those used for delivery of garments etc from the shop can be used easily but it would look nicer if you just use the package inside out. Again use ample brown tapes to seal ALL the joints completely not leaving any gaps anywhere. Use tapes all around the sides and in a crisscross manner all over the package. Sign on all joints over the tape with permanent market in a way that your signature overlaps from the plastic pack to the tape. Also you can use some pieces of thick paper and sign on it and fix it with Dendrite (rubber based adhesive) on the joints. Don't use Fevicol as Fevicol does not still well on plastic. In this way if anybody wants to open the pack he has to tear off the paper seal. Send a copy of your signature or photo of the package to the buyer so that he can verify the package is intact when he receives it.
Another trick is to use those envelopes printed with "On India Government Service". If you find it hard to find such a package make a rubber stamp (takes 30-40 bucks) and put it on the package. From my experience Govt. documents never get stolen or misplaced. Also make a rubber stamp of your name and address and put it on the sender's name (use the word "Dispatcher" to make it look official).
But for mobiles most couriers will require you to take phone in open condition, they will check, ensure the battery is removed from the phone and list the items in the package in front of you and seal it in their package again.
Keep posting your suggestions for other couriers too - especially that you have used and have good experience.Also, I purchase a lot of things online. So, couriers come to my place twice or thrice a week to deliver parcels or various letters. What I do is to establish a good rapport with the delivery guys. I know the local DTDC delivery guy and knows his mobile no. So, if I'm nobody is at home and a package arrives through DTDC he gives me a call. I also call him in advance when I expect a delivery of something costly. This thing helps. I get delivery even at 9PM after I return home.
Also, choose a particular branch of a courier and stick to it. If you are a regular visitor you'll get extra attention/care. Tell the counter guys in a casual way that you are hearing a lot of reports about theft and your package is in such a way that no body will ever think of stealing it. They will know that you are an aware customer and will think twice before touching your package with bad intention.
And the best way to avoid all these hassles is to deal locally even if you get a bit lower price.
