Topic: Specialist flours, nuts, spices, curry mixes etc

[Rik]

We're not big fans of Tefal, their stuff always seems to fall apart. Here, Amazon tend to use CityLink.

[Simon]

CityLink are a pain, as it means a 30 mile round trip to collect the package.  Parcel Force are the easiest for me, as the depot is in Haywards Heath.  It's a shame you can't nominate a courier when ordering.

[Rik]

It is. It's a trick that most mail order firms miss.

[Simon]

I would certainly go for a retailer that used Parcel Force, over one that didn't, even if the price was slightly more.  The whole idea of internet ordering is for the convenience, but sometimes it turns into a PITA.

[Rik]

We're lucky here in that all the main depots are very close.

[Simon]

Mine aren't close, but they are all in and around the same area.

[Rik]

That's a pain. No neighbours you could re-direct to?

[Simon]

All working, and I don't really think it's fair to ask anyone else to wait in, anyway.

[Rik]

We have a sort of cooperative running.

[Simon]

Yes, it's good if you can have that arrangement.

[Rik]

We have three households participating, and it works pretty well as usually at least one will be here during the day.

[Simon]

Often, though, unless specified, couriers won't even leave a delivery with a neighbour.

[Rik]

Our couriers know how the system works. It saves them an extra run so they're happy. The only snag is when it has to be signed for by a named individual.

[Simon]

When I was at the old flat, I got to know the CityLink driver, and he used to come and find me on the taxi rank.  Sadly, it always seems to be different ones now.  

[Rik]

Same here, but we use them enough that they've got to know us. If you show an interest in them, it makes a huge difference in how they respond.