Priority parcel services not so fast, finds survey

CONSUMERS should think twice before sending parcels this Christmas after a European survey found only half of parcels posted by expensive so-called ‘fast’ services arrived ahead of packages sent by standard mail.

The survey of mail services by 13 European Consumer Centres (ECCs) across Europe also revealed Ireland has the most expensive priority parcel rates among 13 EU member states.

The study examined the price, delivery time and quality of service by mail companies. An analysis of priority and standard parcels sent from Ireland to other EU countries showed only half of all priority parcels were delivered ahead of the standard packages, while 14% of all parcels were damaged in transit.

A quarter of priority parcels arrived after the standard package, while one out of every six priority parcels had still not arrived over two months after being posted.

According to the ECC, almost 70% of parcels sent from Ireland failed to meet An Post’s own delivery target times.

“It would appear from these findings that choosing priority mail doesn’t guarantee priority service,” said an ECC spokesperson. “In this survey, priority mail was more expensive than standard mail, where available, but paying extra didn’t always guarantee a faster service.”

The survey also showed that a priority parcel sent from Ireland to the Continent at a cost of €34 was the most expensive among 13 EU countries. The same package cost just €10.10 when posted from Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, An Post management is due to meet unions at the Labour Relations Commission this morning for talks to avert strike action that threatens to disrupt deliveries in the run-up to Christmas.