The Calls
Page 37
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Our first call went out to Datapost at 11:00hrs. We
immediately got through to an * efficient receptionist who took details of
the job and assured us that as long as we wrapped the package securely and marked it as fragile there would be no problem. Datapost insures such consignments for up to £5,000, she told us. We were given a price, order number and a collection time of between 13:00hrs and 14:30hrs.
By 11:05hrs we were phoning Federal Express where a recorded message told us that the agents were busy. After a few moments of the inevitable answerphone music we were through to a friendly receptionist who took our details and said we would have to give the driver a cheque or cash on collection. She warned us that if our package was not securely wrapped it might be rejected, but once accepted we would be covered for £25 per kilo. We were given a consignment number.
We tried TNT at 11:20hrs. The phone rang and rang; finally we were through to the receptionist who stumbled over the job details and advised us against sending our mirror on the normal next-day service which uses a conveyor/chute system. Instead, she suggested that we send it door-to-door by van, at a cost of at least £100. We decided against this, even though the standard service does not insure glass. The receptionist came back
with a price and told us that the driver would be with us before 16:30hrs.
The next three carriers we spoke to, DHL Worldwide, XP Express and Elan, were unable to deliver.
On to Interlink Express Parcels at 12:00hrs, just in time to catch what seemed to be its rush hour. A pleasant receptionist led us through a complicated pricing scheme, while a phone was continually ringing in the background. She finally asked us to hold on while she answered it, and came back to warn us to check that the package was well wrapped. Insurance was quoted at £12 per kilo.