DATAPOST RED STAR V PANIC LIR
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o A tick represents exceptional performance; a cross indicates performance below expectations.
At 12:10hrs we were through to Red Star who took us through the paces very quickly. After deciding the package was too big for a hike we were told a van would be round in an hour and our mirror would be insured for up to £15,000.
Ten minutes later Nightfreight was not sure if its Wimblington pick-up had already gone. After a lot of coming and
going we were told that they could do it but we would have to be ready with cash or a cheque and it would not be insured. A van was promised by 16:00hrs.
We were through to Parceline at 12:30hrs. Booking the job was uneventful, but once again we were told the package would not be insured.
We phoned Panic Link for the second time at 12:45hrs. An hour earlier they had not been answering their phone. This time we got through straight away but were diverted to another depot, where an answerphone message told us to ring a mobile phone. Nobody answered. A minute later we tried again and reached a driver who said he'd ring back in 10 minutes when he was back at base. He rang 15 minutes later and we agreed a price including insurance at £12 per kilo.
At 12:50hrs Business Post told us they probably couldn't take the parcel, but promised to call us back in an hour. We heard nothing more by 16:30hrs.
Inter City Couriers did not answer the phone. Our next call to ANC, at 13:10hrs, was more productive. We were led through a long-winded pricing system based on the weight of the parcel but, told that our parcel weighed 554gm, the receptionist reckoned that it would fall into the 11-20kg bracket. After some haggling the price was reduced by nearly £3, including insurance at £12 per kilo.
Our final call was to Amtrak Express Parcels at 13:10hrs. Despite the time the receptionist was happy to help, until we mentioned the parcel was a mirror. She took the job but said it would not be insured.