UK packaging and delivery service

December 15, 2008 7:31 AM

Does anyone know of a service in the UK that will collect a single item, package it and send it on to me?

So, I've bought an item on Ebay that needs collecting, 200+ miles from here. Unfortunately they want it collected 9-5 Monday to Friday, and I work those hours/days.

It's also unpackaged. Does anyone know of a service that will collect, pack and ship a bulky, fragile, possibly quite heavy item within the UK? If it was packaged it'd be simple, call Fedex/DHL and get it picked up, but it's the packaging that's got me stumped.

If it makes a difference the item is a print washer for my darkroom, it's in Northampton and I'm in York. Speed isn't a factor, if it takes a week or more I don't care.

posted by hardcode to shopping (4 comments total)

Set your location in your MeFi profile to Northampton to see if there are any MeFites who live there. If so, perhaps you could contact them via MeMail and propose a solution to your dilemma.
posted by netbros at 7:51 AM on December 15, 2008

Would a courier company do this...the kind that use people in cars rather than a DHL van?
posted by Not Supplied at 7:55 AM on December 15, 2008

Have a look on gumtree.com (or one of their local sites, eg york.gumtree.com) for "Man and van" service. They normally charge about £25ph inc diesel.

http://york.gumtree.com/york/trade-services_3340_1.html

otherwise parcel2go but it would need to be packed.
posted by Sturdy at 8:34 AM on December 15, 2008

A "fine art shipping" google search will find you companies whose services include custom and on-site crating as well as delivery. However, as the phrase implies, it is not usually an inexpensive service.
posted by tenderman kingsaver at 12:42 PM on December 16, 2008