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May 05
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GOFERS using preferred courier ebay

Using your Preferred Courier for eBay Sales

By | Delivery Services, Logistics Industry, Technology | No Comments

eBay have recently announced that the listing fees for buying and selling clothes have been removed for private sellers, cue a rise in people listing clothing on the eBay marketplace. With competition in the second-hand marketplace fierce between platforms such as eBay, Vinted and Depop, it’s little wonder that eBay have made this decision, however many people do complain that eBay’s postage services are a barrier to listing. Whilst eBay do offer integrated shipping through Packlink, the Packlink tool is soon to be retired and postage will have to be purchased using the eBay platform, which has led to concerns that sellers will only be able to use the couriers listed on the eBay platform (such as Yodel, Evri and Royal Mail).

Please bear in mind that this cut in fees on clothing sales only applies to private sellers; registered business sellers will still need to pay fees on clothing sales.

Do you have to use eBay’s recommended courier services?

Regardless of what it is you’re selling, the answer is no – but it is harder to find the right options if you don’t want to use eBay’s preferred couriers. The key to getting your delivery options correct on eBay is to ensure you offer the right services when you list your items.

Other Courier

If you wish to use a different courier, you can navigate to the Domestic Delivery screen and then into the Delivery Service menu, whereby you can click into the size and weight of your item(s). in this area, you will find an “Other” option and it’s in here you can find the option to use “Other Courier” and then a timescale; for example, “Other Courier (3-5 days), “Other 48h Courier” or “Other 24h Courier”.

By selecting one of these options, you can then set the postage amount the buyer pays based on cost you know your preferred courier will charge (be sure to get this information right, or you may be undercharging or overcharging the buyer on the postage).

Free postage

Many sellers (Business and Domestic) offer free delivery; it’s a great inventive to buyers. However, there’s still a postage cost to pay even though the seller isn’t paying it. Using this option however does mean you aren’t committing to any of eBay’s recommended courier services and can use a courier service of your choosing.

Local Collection

You may wish to have your buyers collect their items, in which case you don’t need to specify a postage cost or courier service.

Can you offer multiple delivery options on eBay?

Yes – as well as your primary courier, you can also then add an Additional Domestic Service. This is important if you want to add options for same day delivery in 24h, 48h delivery, or 3-5 days delivery using your preferred courier.

Using the eBay Seller Hub to manage courier options

You can use the eBay Seller Hub to manage your postage and courier options. The Business Policies page enables business sellers to choose the payment, postage and return details for buyers, which saves time if you list on a frequent basis as you won’t have to select the correct options every time.

Feb 28
0
GOfers clean air zones

2024 List of UK Major City Clean Air Zones

By | Britain's Roads, Eco Awareness, Logistics Industry | No Comments

Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in the UK were first introduced in 2021, although plans had been in place since 2015 to take what was classed as the next step on from the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ).  Clean Air Zones are also sometimes known as Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ).

CAZ Facts

  • There are two types of CAZ – charging and non-charging.
  • Drivers have to pay a fee to enter charging zones IF their vehicle doesn’t meet the environmental standards for emissions – these are based on the Euro Emissons Standard.
  • CAZ zones fall into 4 classes; A-D. These are very similar to the classes used in London’s ULEZ.
  • Local authorities for each area determine CAZ classes and all are regulated by the CAZ framework (introduced Feb 2020).
  • Bath was the first city to introduce a CAZ, in March 2021.

Class Information

  • A – applies to buses, coaches, taxis and privately hired vehicles only.
  • B – applies to buses, coaches, taxis, privately hired vehicles & heavy goods vehicles only.
  • C – applies to buses, coaches, taxis, privately hired vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and light goods vehicles.
  • D – applies to all vehicles except those exempt regardless of their emissions standard (such as historic vehicles, those with disabled drivers who pay passenger tax, or resident’s vehicles). Local authorities will govern these exemption rules.

Current (2024) list of UK city CAZs

  • Bath – Class C
  • Birmingham – Class D
  • Bradford – Class C
  • Bristol – Class D
  • Portsmouth – Class B
  • Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) – Class C
  • Sheffield – Class C

Fees & Fines for CAZ

  • Local authorities will apply their own rules to fees and fines/penalties for vehicles using Clean Air Zones.
  • Fees to use a CAZ tend to be on a daily basis, so once you pay you can use the CAZ as much as you want within the day rate.
  • Some areas operate 24/7 and others have different “open” hours.

Other Low Emission Zones

  • Aberdeen – LEZ but this does not come into force until June 2024.
  • Dundee – Same as Aberdeen, this will commence from June 2024.
  • Edinburgh – Same as Aberdeen and Dundee.
  • Glasgow has operated a LEZ since 2018 but expanded this in 2023.
  • Oxford operates a ZEZ so only vehicles using batteries/fuel cells can enter for free.
  • London does not operate a CAZ; instead it has the largest 24/7 ULEZ in the world. It was expanded in 2023 to cover all London boroughs.

There are currently no CAZ in Wales, although this may change as Cardiff Council are reassessing their plans over carbon emissions and air pollution.

Resources

Jul 31
0
Frozen raspberries

Top Tips for Delivering Food

By | Delivery Services, Logistics Industry, Packaging | No Comments

Getting food products into the hands of your customers can present some unique challenges. Not only does the food need to arrive fresh and unspoiled, but it must also be kept at the right temperature levels during transit. Room temperature, chilled, and frozen food items require different storage conditions that can be tricky to manage.

To ensure your food products arrive in the right condition, there are some steps you can take before and during shipping. To help, we have put together a few tips to ensure your food shipments stay fresh and safe!

Understanding Shipping Requirements for Different Foods

Some foods are considered more high-risk than others. For example, ready-to-eat items, dairy and fresh meat need to be kept at a certain temperature range during shipping and storage. If they get too warm, food safety regulations can be violated, resulting in an unacceptable product with a shorter shelf-life.

As a business, you must ensure you’re meeting both government regulations and industry standards. That means shipping foods at the correct temperature range with the help of temperature-controlled packaging, as well as correctly labelling all parcels.

Choosing the Right Packaging for Food Delivery

When delivering food items, you need packaging that will keep your product safe and preserve its freshness. The type of material, insulation, and climate-control system you select will depend on the food items being shipped. Insulated liners are best for chilled products, while an ice pack or dry ice can keep fresh and frozen items cold.

Always consider food safety and transport time when selecting a packaging option. Even if you think you have chosen the perfect packaging, planning and considering any contingencies is essential.

In some cases, additional boxes or ice packs may be required to ensure your food items stay fresh for longer.

Preparing Food for Shipping

To help your food arrive in the same condition you shipped it, you must take extra steps to protect it. That means avoiding cross-contamination or crushing during transit.

Ice packs, dividers and cushioning materials can help keep different food items separate within the package. This will also add extra protection against crushing, which is especially important when shipping delicate food items. No one likes to receive a box of broken eggs or squashed tomatoes!

Additionally, you must maintain proper food safety and hygiene during packaging. That includes sanitizing all surfaces and taking special care when handling perishable items.

Don’t forget to keep meat products separate from other food items when packaging to avoid cross-contamination. This falls in line with food safety regulations and helps maintain the integrity of your products.

Choose the Best Delivery Option for Your Food Products

Finally, selecting the right delivery option for your food products is crucial. While you might have packaged the food correctly and used the right materials, it won’t matter if you don’t choose a reliable shipping company that can deliver your products in time.

You want a quick, reliable service with tracking included. Consider whether the courier you’re using has experience in shipping food products and whether they deliver directly.

We pride ourselves on offering direct and guaranteed deliveries. That means your food items will be delivered by the same driver throughout their journey, which helps to ensure quality control and peace of mind!

Conclusion

Food packing and shipping can be a challenge. It requires careful consideration of the product, packaging materials, and delivery service to ensure your food reaches its destination in the right condition. By following these tips and understanding shipping requirements for different foods, you can ensure your food items remain safe and fresh during transit!