Exhorbitant charges by private courires
Recently I wanted to send few documents to a relative in UK. The packet just weighed 85 gms. I casually checked with DHL who quoted Rs. 3800+ plus taxes; DTDC quoted Rs. 1800 + taxed. Both promised delivery within 3-5 working days and facility to track the status online. Surprisingly they didn't have options of lower costs with longer delivery time.
I had no urgency so decided to check with Indian Postal Services. I was surprised and couldn't believe what the postal employee told. He quoted only Rs. 85, delivery within 5-7 working days (Rs. 165 for express delivery) and facility to track online. I booked my courier with the Post Office and they delivered it in UK on the 5th working day after my booking. Similar Exhorbitant charges were quoted by these same private operators when my relative wanted to send the documents back to me in India. I advised him to check with the Royal Mail Service, the government owned postal service provider in UK. There also he found Royal Mail charges very reasonable much below the private courier operators.
The question I have is when all international couriers are transported by air- the major cost factor for a courier - why such a huge cost difference between private operators and Indian Post ? Even keeping in mind that private players work for profit ? While Indian Post mainly work for service how can it afford to charge such a small charge ?
Is there any law, rules to regulate private courier services and their charges ? more
I had no urgency so decided to check with Indian Postal Services. I was surprised and couldn't believe what the postal employee told. He quoted only Rs. 85, delivery within 5-7 working days (Rs. 165 for express delivery) and facility to track online. I booked my courier with the Post Office and they delivered it in UK on the 5th working day after my booking. Similar Exhorbitant charges were quoted by these same private operators when my relative wanted to send the documents back to me in India. I advised him to check with the Royal Mail Service, the government owned postal service provider in UK. There also he found Royal Mail charges very reasonable much below the private courier operators.
The question I have is when all international couriers are transported by air- the major cost factor for a courier - why such a huge cost difference between private operators and Indian Post ? Even keeping in mind that private players work for profit ? While Indian Post mainly work for service how can it afford to charge such a small charge ?
Is there any law, rules to regulate private courier services and their charges ? more
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We rejected, dejected and ignored Indian Post and promoted courier services. Now we are paying for that. Indians fpr centuries have the habit of sacrificing long term interests for short term gains. Nothing surprising. Indians deserve it. more
Aug 08
Hi,while I would love to encourage the use of Indian Posts I have to admit that I am so sore with their services and I will explain why. I sent a Speed Post letter to a company and did not get an acknowledgement. This was four months ago, I wrote to the Post office - no reply till date. I tried to track the same, no response from the website! Then I sent a registered A.D. letter to the company, the post returned it with address not found!! I sent the letter by courier and lo and behold, it was delivered! So much of my time and money was wasted and this is not my first experience with them. They just wont take responsibility. They just shrug it off to the head office who never replies. However, I would like to state that several Indian courier companies have come up and they have a decent charge and excellent service and they take responsibility for the same. more
Aug 02
SPEED POST of INDIA POST is one of the few Public Services of the Government which commands efficiency,trust and transparency (towards tariff as also tracking of the article). I am making this command based on my experience over a decade and from multitude of postal zones across India. Tariff of private couriers are not only fabulous, but also highly subjective. They will charge you in several counts higher depending on the content. Courier services are best suited for business houses for bulk despatches who enters into contract for a period (month/quarter/half-year/annual etc.), courier company arranges collection from their premises at pre-fixed time(s). I had experienced their refusal to accept booking as also refusal to delver at addressee's premises - since the addressee was at a remote village. LONG LIVE SPEED POST of INDIAPOST for ommoners. more
Jul 28
It is our moral duty to encourage and use of services by govt. entities if they are good and efficient. We should make all our contacts aware about such services and ask them to spread the word. This is our contribution to increasing competition and keeping private operators in check. Govt. has done good job in many fields. And we must appreciate the same also. I appeal to all to spread the good word also where it is due. more
Jul 18
