best parcel service within Australia?

[Argonavis]

Can anyone relate their experiences in sending parcels (8-10kg) within Australia? Any recommendations?

I know there was a thread on this some time back, but I can't find it through the search function.

[WeeGraeme]

I live outside of the metro area. Whenever I get stuff delivered, I prefer it to be sent Parcel Post or Australian Air Expresss. That way, if I'm not home, they'll leave it at the local post office. With other companies, I've had to travel 30 or so km's to their depot to pick it up.

[leon]

Yep, just take it to the Post office and send parcel post, they accept anything up to 20 Kgs.

Recently I sent a very large box, it was 900mm long and 400mm wide, and 400mm deep, weighed 18 kg's, they sent it no problems, and it arrived in another state in a couple of days.

I have posted many things and not once have I had a problem or lost article.

Leon

[Ian Robinson]

Pack and Send seem OK for those special items you handled CAREFULLY.

AusPost is hard to beat , and they do go everywhere.

[rogerg]

Small volume of shipments under 20kg I haven't found anything more convenient or cost effective than australia post. Over 20kg I've tried a few - Star Track Express was one I think. Air Road Direct perhaps another. Hard to remember now, they are far and few between.

AAE is good but for me it means travelling to their airport depot if I have it delivered to home and am not there. Not sure if you can send once-off things with them or if you need an account?

I once enquired with DHL and they seemed strangely expensive. I figured I must've got quoted the wrong thing but it was too much trouble to sort out so didn't try, just went elsewhere.

Australia post don't do fragile, so that might be a reason you need to go elsewhere also.

I have used Pack & Send, they were helpful and friendly, and did a good job of packing an item which was too big and awkward for me to find packaging for. I think they charge appropriately for their service, which is more than you would pay packing it yourself and sending it through some other courier.

Roger.

[smenkhare]

Toll=Garbage
AAE= Good but expensive and do not have ATL
DHL= Pretty decent
FedEx= great
UPS= haven't had too much experience with them but seem decent with anything up to 70kg.
AFF=Garbage.

[astroron]

A few years ago I sent a four inch telescope to Wepa via Australia Post , it weighed 20kg and was just under a metre by 40cm and it arrived safe and sound, and was quite cheap from memory $ 1:00 a kg, probably a bit more now but still I think Aussie Post is worth while.

[Cerberus]

aust post is cheap for smaller items, but keep in mind if the item is in a box chances are the clerk will whip out the ruler and measure the box, that's where the dreaded cubing rule comes in!
i have found for heavier items Fastway couriers are good and not too expensive, UPS/Fedex etc have very high handling fees, DHL is ok, EMS depending on location avoid, it can be slower than regular airmail

[cfranks]

I also have found Australia Post good except for stuff coming from overseas with a mistake in the address. Twice I have had a parcel returned to the US because the sender put the wrong Post Code. The rest of the address was correct and could have found me if read and followed. No!, it was easier to return-to-sender. :(