Hermes Strike Again

[itfciain]

Neil and I use(d) Hermes for the larger items but the issue he has been having is them not coming to collect when promised.

The big issue with the Royal Mail is their size rules - if it doesn't fit in that silly box then it jumps up in price. They are already dearer for that box but then when you add on the additional costs it can be almost double to send something via RM as it is Hermes.

So who else to use ?

 

[edd_jedi]

UPS are pretty reasonable for massive/heavy boxes, I tend to use them for anything too big to go via Royal Mail. But the truth is no courier is perfect, they all have rogue employees as that DHL video proved. All you can really do is try and pack it well enough to survive a good kicking, but if somebody really wants to damage a parcel no amount of bubble wrap or cardboard will help.

 

[plantman]

I think with xmas approaching they get a lot of part time staff in, get deadlines for deliveries ect, they rush their jobs, always picks up closer to xmas.

 

[steve obi wan]

Muppets :shock:

 

[kieatky]

348 transactions with hermes.. and only 1 incident (some records left outside on a hot day, despite my amazing packaging, the heat supposedly caused some issues.. )

looking at the packaging on that item, I would lay some blame on the seller. im assuming that was two figures loosely laid in some foam. they would move around in that. the box looks crappy. that type of foam is very flimsy, and a hard impact would not protect an item.

Were the cardbacks separately packed in card?

assume everything you send will get used as a football somewhere down the line.

The card backs were placed at the bottom of the box, under the foam packaging so should really have been fine. Figures themselves were sandwiched between two pieces of thick foam, I agree this could've been better packed but to be honest I think they would've been ok if Hermes hadn't crushed the package. Seller has been back in touch, Hermes are debating the insurance value but he's gonna sort me a refund and then argue the toss with them.

 

[jedisearcher]

I walk away now from purchases using Hermes. There are way more complaints about them than there about the Royal Mail who must ship 100's of times the volumes that Hermes do. They've lost one package (how does that happen with tracking?) and damaged a second to the point the figures inside all fell out and were "lost" (thieving twats) and I've only had stuff shipped from them less than 10 times. Jokers.

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

I have to say, I agree with Edd, Pete and Iain. I have 370+ deliveries made by Hermes. I've had the aforementioned claim for £12 for the display boxes, a paid claim for a misdelivered parcel that later turned up and that's it. Compare that to Royal Mail which I have thousands of deliveries made by and 10s of claims, I have to say I find Hermes more reliable, cheaper and easier to claim from. I must lose about 2% of items sent by RM. I'm currently waiting on a recorded delivery that they didn't even attempt to deliver to me, just returned to sender after leaving it in the depot for a week!

The issue with the Hermes is the quality of the local couriers. I have an absolutely brilliant guy who could not be more helpful.

Yes, they get a bad press and yes they do deserve a lot of it, but credit where it's due, I find them reliable. And at least you get basic tracking with every parcel unlike Royal Mail.

 

[DickieM]

That is shocking mate, really gutted for you. Touch wood not had a problem yet myself - but that's tempting fate.

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

They'll pay up for these without doubt. Thankfully you took a photo of the package first. That and the damage done and it's open and shut.

With any luck you'll be able to keep what's left! Quick repair on them both and they'll display really well. And they'll be free.

 

[weasel]

Ah mate!
I feel for you buddy, it's just **** when this happens. Buying SW should be enjoyable from start to finish, no way we should have to stress that things will arrive damaged.

Seeing something you've got excited about arrive damaged is such a kick in the balls - you are angry and frustrated!!
This will sound stupid but having my Palitoy Blaster box crushed has really taken the wind out of my collecting sails, I've boxed it up and put it away, when I look at it I just get pissed off.

As for the ****ers at Hermes - they have gone silent, last I got from them was they didn't cover the outer packaging of my toy and no feedback on how my parcel could arrive so squashed.

Honestly thought using them was better than Royal Mail as I wrongly assumed they would be more accountable so would take more care!

As Scruffylooking says Small claims court all the way. I had something similar with Parcelforce after they destroyed a POTF Yoda and then claimed it wasn't their fault. They tried to fob me off with all sorts of BS but once I had a date for the court they got in touch with am insulting offer (<40% of my claim) when I refused they conceded about two weeks later. They just assume you won't chase them and if you do the worst that happens is they have to pay out. It stinks, but I guess I can see their logic. Though personally I'd say they ****ed up they should be making the effort to make up for it.

So who else to use ?

I've used TNT a few times for larger items, they are decent enough. Though partly I've had to use them cos most couriers will deliver here but won't collect. :? If someone can explain that to me I'd love to hear why

 

[Pomse2001]

348 transactions with hermes.. and only 1 incident (some records left outside on a hot day, despite my amazing packaging, the heat supposedly caused some issues.. )

looking at the packaging on that item, I would lay some blame on the seller. im assuming that was two figures loosely laid in some foam. they would move around in that. the box looks crappy. that type of foam is very flimsy, and a hard impact would not protect an item.

Were the cardbacks separately packed in card?

assume everything you send will get used as a football somewhere down the line.

The card backs were placed at the bottom of the box, under the foam packaging so should really have been fine. Figures themselves were sandwiched between two pieces of thick foam, I agree this could've been better packed but to be honest I think they would've been ok if Hermes hadn't crushed the package. Seller has been back in touch, Hermes are debating the insurance value but he's gonna sort me a refund and then argue the toss with them.

Glad to read you get a refund :wink: