Tag Archives: international shipping

Parcel2Go Highlights The Importance Of Offering A Variety Of Shipping Options On eBay

One of the UK’s leading online parcel delivery services has stressed how important it is for UK businesses to make sure they are appealing to as wide a group of online consumers on eBay as possible.

Bolton-based Parcel2Go made the call following an interview given to the Daily Telegraph by the online auction and retail giant’s president of global marketplaces this week. Devin Wenig told the newspaper the UK had now become eBay’s fastest-growing marketplace, highlighting the fact that the British site receives visits from 17 million unique users every month, with sellers listing 40 million products.

Parcel2Go marketing director Richard Mercer said the news highlights just how important it is for businesses using eBay to ensure that they are doing everything possible to attract customers.

He said: “The popularity of eBay is something that all businesses should be looking to take advantage of. E-commerce is continuing to grow at a staggering pace and companies should be trying to maximise their exposure to potential customers.

“On eBay, one way of doing this is by offering a wide range of shipping options to customers as this will ensure that listings appeal to as wide a range of people as possible. For example, by offering international shipping options through international courier firms you are going to suddenly make your products available to a whole swathe of new customers.”

In his interview, Mr Wenig also highlighted the increasing role that mobile is playing, describing its growth as “exponential”. He said one item per second is now purchased through a mobile device.

“Smartphone usage is spreading rapidly and as more consumers get access to sites such as eBay while they’re on the move, sales will naturally increase. We want as many businesses as possible to benefit from this opportunity,” added Richard.

###

 

Businesses must act to take advantage of tablet computing in 2012, says Parcel2Go

Tablet computing is growing at a rapid rate and businesses in the UK should make sure they’re in a position to benefit, according to Britain’s largest online parcel delivery service.

Parcel2Go, which helps individuals and businesses send millions of packages to domestic and foreign addresses each year, has urged companies to make the most of the fact that more people are using mobile devices to buy online.

The latest research paper from online analytics consultancy Logan Tod & Co said the sudden emergence of tablets “almost came out of nowhere”. Out of the 1,121 adults the company spoke to at the end of last month, 14 per cent said they had used either an iPad or another make of tablet computer to purchase a gift over the Christmas period. Logan Tod & Co said in 2010, 7 per cent of people used a mobile phone to purchase a Christmas gift – that more than doubled to 15 per cent this Christmas.

With more consumers expected to invest in a tablet computer this year, the opportunity for retailers is evident.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “This research highlights just how important it is for retailers to adopt a multi-channel approach in order to maximise sales opportunities. Having an online presence is now a must for all companies, regardless of which sector they are in, but taking that a step further and optimising websites for mobile and tablet devices now looks like it will pay dividends.

“Parcel2Go works with many thousands of companies, helping them to ship their goods to customers around the world, and it is clear that demand for well laid out, intuitive websites offering reliable international shipping options is not going to diminish anytime soon.”

###

Parcel2Go reminds first-time eBayers to take care when sending off unwanted gifts

Hundreds of thousands of people are likely to go onto the internet over the Christmas period in an attempt to dispose of their unwanted presents. Gifts from aunties and uncles that simply don’t cut it will be auctioned off quicker than you can say gift receipt, but online parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go is warning first-time sellers not to be too hasty.

Last year, eBay estimated that 550,000 people would go onto the internet either on Christmas Day or Boxing Day to sell their unwanted gifts online. New technology such as iPads, laptops and smartphones mean it is easier to get onto eBay than ever before, and the opportunity to get cash for unwanted gifts is likely to appeal to a large number of people this year.

Parcel2Go is urging those people who haven’t sold items over the internet before to take their time if they want the process to go smoothly and prevent their Christmas Day celebrations turning into a Boxing Day hangover. The company’s marketing director, Richard Mercer, said while the process of listing goods might be very straight forward, there are a few things sellers should remember.

“Making your goods appeal to as wide an audience as possible is very important and can make a significant difference to the amount of interest your auction attracts,” he said. “For example, failing to make sure that you offer a range of delivery options such as international shipping through leading courier companies can put off potential buyers.

“It’s also vital to ensure that any items you send off are well wrapped and will not become damaged in transit. The last thing a buyer wants is to unwrap their purchase and find that it is broken. This can cause all sorts of problems and so it is much better to do everything possible, such as using quality packaging and a leading UK courier, to avoid such a situation.”

###

Parcel2Go Issues Last Christmas Post Dates Reminder

Anyone planning to send Christmas packages in time for December 25 has just a matter of days left if they want to ensure their parcels arrive on time, Parcel2Go has said.

The online parcel delivery specialist is reminding private individuals and businesses that they must act soon if they still have consignments waiting to be sent.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “Most of Parcel2Go’s final Christmas posting dates for international destinations, Europe and the UK have now passed, but there are still a few courier companies accepting deliveries. Our advice for anyone hoping to get presents or business consignments to people before Christmas is to act now.”

Customers with deliveries heading for Europe have until Tuesday, December 20 to get their package off with the Parcel2Go Express Saver or DHL EU Express services. When it comes to UK deliveries, then people can book a TNT UK Express service service through Parcel2Go until Tuesday, December 20.

Once this year’s festivities are out of the way, it will be back to work for many people across Britain, including Parcel2Go and the majority of UK’s leading courier services. Deliveries and collections will be made as usual on Wednesday December 28, Thursday December 29 and Friday December 30.

Richard added: “Once the festivities are over for another year, Parcel2Go and its courier partners are fully aware that many individuals and businesses will have important packages to send in the three days between Christmas and New Year.

“We want to remind customers that they can rely on the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service and renowned domestic and international shipping companies such as FedEx, Parcelforce and City Link to get their parcel deliveries to destinations on time and in perfect condition, as they do during the rest of the year.”

###

Parcel2Go Backs Ebay’s Call For Government To Bring Forward Fast Internet Roll-Out

A call by auction and retail website eBay for the government to increase mobile internet speeds and support Britain’s online marketplace has been echoed by the UK’s largest online parcel delivery service, Parcel2Go.

The e-commerce giant stepped up pressure on the government this month to act and bring Britain in line with other countries in terms of mobile internet speeds. Through its Mobile Manifesto, which eBay passed to ministers at the start of November, the firm has voiced its concern that the UK could get left behind when it comes to mobile infrastructure.

Speaking to the BBC this week, eBay UK’s retail director Angus McCarey said while Britain is currently leading the way in Europe when it comes to smartphone ownership, it is falling behind in terms of next generation technology.

Parcel2Go has also stressed the importance for individuals and British businesses of installing an effective 4G mobile network as soon as possible. Tests are already underway in Cornwall and London, but it looks like the service won’t be widely available until at least 2013.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “The UK has been a leader so far in the world of online shopping and as a country we cannot risk losing momentum by taking a back seat when it comes to adopting 4G technology. The economy is in a fragile state and investment in faster mobile internet is exactly the type of strategy that will help to give the retail sector a shot in the arm.

“At Parcel2Go we unveiled our mobile website earlier this year to make it easier for customers to access domestic and international shipping services on the move. Businesses have their part to play in making their content and transactional pages accessible through mobile sites and apps, but the government needs to encourage investment by doing everything possible to bring forward 4G.”

###

Christmas Shoppers Should Go Online To Find Black Friday Deals, Says Parcel2Go

Britain’s leading online parcel delivery specialist Parcel2Go has reminded shoppers looking for great deals on their Christmas presents this year to remember to capitalise on Black Friday on November 25.

The annual event, which marks the start of the Christmas shopping rush in America, is designed to inspire US consumers and get the tills ringing at the start of the festive season. But thanks to the internet, next week’s shopping bonanza won’t be restricted to people living in the United States.

Amazon UK is one retailer that is joining in to bring British shoppers deals on a range of goods from books and music to fashion and beauty products, and Parcel2Go has reminded people not to miss out. Amazon will be offering timed deals between Monday, November 21 and Black Friday on the 25th.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “Black Friday might have begun as a US tradition but deal-conscious shoppers from the UK now have the chance to beat the Christmas rush and grab themselves a few bargains.

“Online shopping has completely revolutionised the way people buy presents at Christmas and as long as people make sure that their gifts are being shipped with leading couriers then buying online is a great way to avoid the queues at the tills. There are sure to be plenty of Black Friday deals to be had next week and by choosing to send presents to friends and relatives using Parcel2Go, shoppers will be able to save even more money.”

Anyone thinking of ordering goods from American businesses on Black Friday might find that some retailers will only ship to US addresses. Parcel2Go offers customers the opportunity to rent an American address and have goods forwarded to Europe with professional couriers such as DHL and FedEx, so buying direct from the US is no problem at all.

Richard added: “The US address rental service has become incredibly popular and we’d expect to see an increase in demand from European consumers as Black Friday draws closer.”

###

eBay Sellers Should Make Their Views Known, Says Parcel2Go

Online auction and retail website eBay has recently launched a consultation with its sellers, asking them for their thoughts on how the company should provide customer service in the future, in a bid to improve people’s experience. According to online parcel delivery service Parcel2Go, this is an ideal opportunity for sellers to really get their points across and make their thoughts known.

Richard Mercer, marketing director at Parcel2Go, said: “This is one opportunity that should not be missed. Sellers have everything to gain by making their feelings known to eBay and providing constructive feedback that can be used to improve the website and customer service processes.”

The survey has thrown up some potential new services that eBay may be looking to introduce, such as making customer support available though social media channels. The survey also asks sellers how important 24/7 customer support is to them, what their thoughts are on improved email support and how they feel about the possibility of mobile phone support.

Richard added: “eBay recently unveiled its new virtual shopping basket and a Christmas shopping wish list feature is set to be available at the start of next month. These are all things that can help sellers to maximise revenue and hopefully this new survey will help to streamline the selling process and allow eBay sellers to go on and provide a better experience for their customers.”

The team at Parcel2Go is continually looking for new ways to make buying and selling on eBay quicker and easier. Earlier this year the company launched its quick quote shipping tool which sellers can embed in their item pages to allow buyers to access speedy shipping quotes. By providing quick quotes on domestic and international shipping services, users are provided with the widest possible choice of services and are far likelier to receive a good service.

###