Sending items through the post

[Shockerz]

This morning I looked at sending an old cue to a cousin of mine and also a box of chalk, I thought this would be a simple process, was I wrong.

Hopefully I can pick the brains of the people who do this more often as I've never done it before and want to find the cheapest price; I have spoken to various couriers and ended up even more confused due to the amount of options and problems with sizes. I'll itemise as below for anyone that can help find the best and cheapest methos, I don't mind how long it takes to get there!

It's taken me surprise as the weight of the chalk really wacked the price up.


This is a mainland UK to mainland UK delivery.

Item 1 Old snooker cue

1.49 metres and no insurance required. Will put in a 40mm plastic tube (1.5m)

Item 2 1 box of triangle chalk

144 pieces and weighs 2.4kg, measures 20cm x 14.5cm x 7cm - No insurance or signature required.

I figured there would be a lot of people who do this often on here so better from the horses mouth than re-invent the wheel!

[guernseygooner]

Sent a few cues from here to UK mainland and have always just gone to the post office and sent via Parcelforce 48.

A cue in a tube weighing under 2kg is between £10-£15 depending on insurance required. Pretty sure there are no problems if under 150cm.

[itsnoteasy]

ADR is the man to ask about the chalk, he sells them in the gross boxes. If not there are plenty that do on eBay you could see who they use. The cue shouldn't be a problem as GG says, but to send as one package, I don't know.

[markz]

I sent a one piece cue today. Packed in plastic pipe and used the post office. Ask for 48hr express and its £11.99 basic price, insured up to £100.

[Shockerz]

ADR is the man to ask about the chalk, he sells them in the gross boxes. If not there are plenty that do on eBay you could see who they use. The cue shouldn't be a problem as GG says, but to send as one package, I don't know.

The cue costs sound about right (guernseygooner), just seeing if someone has found the cheapest and best method.

The chalk on the other hand is interesting. ADR147 uses my Hermes which I had seen bit still can't believe it can cost £6 to send a box of chalk. I know it's reasonably heavy (2.4kg) but wow, that's more than I thought.

I had a batch he could have but not that reasonable to send!

[Shockerz]

I sent a one piece cue today. Packed in plastic pipe and used the post office. Ask for 48hr express and its £11.99 basic price, insured up to £100.

Hi Markz

Again, that sounds about right to me and with guernseygooner quoting the same price it's probably standard.

[guernseygooner]

Just a thought. For strength I have sent a cue with an additional empty tube taped to the cue tube. Could you not do this and stack the chalk in side the second tube?

Just one parcel then.

[jrc750]

I have a Rewards4U card that gets me 15% off at post office, so i can send one piece cues for £10.19

Sign up here, it's worth it
http://www.parcelforce.com/rewards4u

I have no idea about the chalk tho, but must be a cheap courier somewhere

[jrc750]

Just a thought. For strength I have sent a cue with an additional empty tube taped to the cue tube. Could you not do this and stack the chalk in side the second tube?

Just one parcel then.

I like this thinking

[rdsalt]

Same as JRC, I use Parcelforce 48 order it online and drop it off at the post office (easier for me than waiting in for a courier to collect) using Rewardcard discount code MEM gives you 15% off online so around £8.65 including £100 insurance cover. If you and the recipient are both near Parcelforce depots and are willing to drop off and collect you can get it sent for as little as £4.10! If using Parcelforce you need to keep the parcel under 1.5 metres.

Interparcel will give also you a good option of services and prices.

[Shockerz]

Guys, thanks for all the replies, they all make sense and have given me a few solutions.

I didn't even know about the 15% off card so that's worth a shout for future stuff. Liked the idea of the chalk in a secondary tube!