Royal Mail will collect parcels directly from your doorstep for just 30p, offering a way to avoid long Post Office queues when sending items. The service, highlighted on the MoneySavingExpert website, applies to parcels and prepaid returns sent via Royal Mail.
According to MoneySavingExpert, the collection option means a postie will pick up the parcel from your doorstep or a nominated 'safe place', rather than you having to take it to a Post Office. The website states: "If you've checked the 'send it yourself' options and found that Royal Mail is the best choice for you – or not far off – it will collect parcels for 30p."
MoneySavingExpert adds that the service is "particularly useful if you're sending a bulky item, several parcels at once or would have difficulty getting to the Post Office."
How the 30p collection service works
To use the hack, you need to pay for postage through the Royal Mail website or app and add a collection for 30p per parcel. You can then choose a day and time for collection, usually within a four-hour window.
A free pre-printed postage label can be added if needed, and you can select a safe place for the parcel to be collected from if no one will be home. You receive an email as proof of postage once the parcel has been collected.
Royal Mail postage costs range from £2.70 to £3.25 for small standard parcels sent Second Class, up to £30 for large packages or next-day Special Delivery, according to the article.
Who benefits from the doorstep collection hack
The hack is useful for anyone who regularly uses platforms like Vinted or Depop to sell items, as well as those with packages that might be difficult to transport to a Post Office. It also helps people who are busy and want to avoid spending time in lengthy posting queues.
Many people still opt for Royal Mail despite the popularity of other delivery companies such as Evri, DHL, and Yodel, the article notes. The collection service offers an alternative for those who prefer Royal Mail but want to skip the queues.
