Fastway couriers or Austpost?

[j0wie]

Hi All,

I am open to all opinons. I am trying to do some research before becoming a seller. Do i have to use AustPost, or can I use Fastway couriers as soon as I start up - because i've read about having to meet min. weekly deliveries.

I've seen older post back in 2013-2014 in regards to fastway couriers services. Have they improved for people since?

Do they easily deliver on time for customers nationally?

Thank you in advance.

[*bellee*]

As a buyer, my parcels were always left at the door even when signature was required. They just forged a signature. The service was also quite slow. This was a year or so ago. Most of the retailers I buy from don't seem to use fastway any more so don't know if there's
Improvements.

As a seller I'm not game enough to try after service I've seen from them.

[lyndal1838]

Fastway couriers have the worst reputation in the industry.    If you must use a courier for your items have a look at some of the courier brokers such as Termando or Sendle.

If you don't need to use a courier I would stick with Australia Post.....they deliver Australia wide, whereas couriers often do not go to some out of the way areas and there can be delivery issues.

[kopenhagen5]

As a new seller the carrier you use is least important.

To begin with just use Aust post but learn about selling on eBay.

Read help pages in site map and sell a few items so you can see and learn the process first.

[*tippy*toes*]

I've had a few deliveries via Fastway and they stuffed it up each time. Slow and unreliable. A big fat zero rating from me.

If you want to read about just one issue of using couriers, this is a prime example that was posted today in the buyers forum  http://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Buying/Item-delivery-issues/m-p/2039324#U2039324

If you do decide to use couriers, make sure you also offer the option of Aust Post or you'll have some really unhappy buyers, or you'll just lose buyers full stop. Although, that's the least of your worries at the moment. You need to learn the ins and outs of selling before you worry about which company to deliver through.

[5kazam]

I completely agree with Lyndal's post.

I used Fastway twice, and didn't go back to them for a third time.

As everything I send is a parcel, I check Aust Post price to send, then courier price.  

If courier is a lot cheaper (which it very often is), I message the buyer with the two costs and leave the choice of carrier to them.  Most opt for courier, but sometimes it is not convenient (work committments, etc), so then is goes by Aust Post.

Everyone has always thanked me for giving them the option, whether the parcel is to be posted or sent by courier.  

[thesoulyearns]

I am a very small seller and rarely send parcels. When I do, just by convenience, I use AusPost. They're pretty quick, reliable and the rates are good. They have flat-rate satchels and boxes which you can utilise to offer a more competitive postage cost. For the flat-rate boxes, you'll just need a printer to print off the postage label. Here's a bit more info: https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/packaging/ebay-flat-rate-satchels-boxes#tab2

Occasionally, I use Sendle.com to book a courier. They have been nothing short of fantastic and I highly recommend them. One of their couriers is Fastway but they also use Couriers Please. They offer competitive rates compared to AusPost and are arguably faster in delivery time.

However, some couriers may not deliver to or pick up from certain areas. Just check the Sendle website to find the areas where they don't deliver to and possibly mention that in your listing. They do deliver to most areas.

Before you sell anything, make sure to research a few things like:

a) How much you will pay for the parcel at the post office (it usually depends on size/weight/distance travelling)

b) What postage cost you want to charge the buyer (e.g. you can charge the actual cost or you can take a dollar or more off, to be competitive. Make sure you factor in any handling or material costs as well)

c) Packaging - very important, depending on the items you sell. Postage price and services don't matter much if the item gets damaged in transit.

They're just a few things. Also take some good pictures from lots of angles (if necessary) so the buyer can be confident in what they're buying.

[thesoulyearns]

I'm a small seller and mostly use AusPost because of convenience. Their service is pretty quick, reliable and their prices are competitive. They offer discounted postage quotes for AusPost branded pre-paid satchels and boxes that are much better than the standard rates. For the boxes, you'll just need a printer to print out the label. Here's a bit of info: https://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/packaging/ebay-flat-rate-satchels-boxes#tab2

Occasionally I use a courier via Sendle.com and have found them to be nothing short of fantastic. They offer very competitive rates and, from my experience, are often faster than AusPost. They deliver to most but not all areas, so if you decide to use them, just make a note of that in your listing and for a potential buyer to contact you if they'd like to know whether their area is deliverable.

There are a few things you should know before listing, such as:

a) The cost of the parcel, including packaging and handling, that you will pay at the post office. Once you know that, you can then choose to deduct a dollar or two off the cost for when you make the listing, so as to give a more competitive post cost. Or, as stated above, take advantage of the flat-rate options.

b) Take good photos from lots of angles to give the buyer confidence in what they're buying.

b) Make sure your packaging is appropriate for the item that you're sending. Postage cost and services matter little if the item arrives damaged.

[rickg_2009]

Fastways make their money by sending the drivers broke and keeping the franchise money. An across town courier cant make money at $5.95 for a delivery. In the late 80s I was getting $5-6 per delivery and it was hard making a living at that

[lyndal1838]

If they are paying for a franchise you would think it would be in the interests of the drivers to give good service.  I have never found a Fastway driver who was at all obliging....they all seemed to do the very bare minimum to deliver the packages.