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Post by josette on May 25, 2020 19:15:23 GMT
From what I’ve read in the info, it’s drop-off only, I’m afraid.....
Posting Options Bookswap uses the Hermes ParcelShop Small services. Bookswappers can take their parcels to a nearby drop-off location (known as a ParcelShop) to be collected later by a myHermes courier. Once collected, parcels will be delivered to their destination in about 2-3 working days. Full tracking will be available from the time of collection. Please use appropriate packaging for the books you are sending so that they are protected during transportation.
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Post by pennylane on May 25, 2020 20:09:11 GMT
Just joined listed three books and had one ordered instantly. Now all parcelled up ready to go tomorrow I listed 2 books last night and had an order for one of them this morning. I’ve resisted putting any books on my wish list so far, as I’ve got loads here to be going on with, but it is quite tempting as there are some good books listed on the site. Do you know if there’s an ‘I’ve sent this book’ tab that we click on once we’ve posted the book? Or is it just a case of waiting for Hermes to collect it and scan it? As others have said, the interface is really appealing, but there are a few areas that could do with a bit more information...the ‘marked as sent’ issue that I mentioned, and also it would have been helpful if there was some timeframe in which we had to post the book out - on RiSi it used to be 2 days, I think....not major issues, but I like to have as much info as poss! Once I dropped off my book after work tonight it was marked in my sent books on the site and I had received another point, so I have two now. If you go to 'My Activity' after clicking on your profile icon you can see all your orders and sent items.
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Post by janetandjohn on May 25, 2020 22:09:50 GMT
Booo - can't do this as under lock down! Would I try it at a later date? Just waiting for you guinea pigs to tell me the worst and the best!
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Post by lorraine5 on May 26, 2020 7:42:49 GMT
Does anyone here know why they've chosen to limit it to Hermes drop-off and not also PO? I can't see any way to ask them i.e. faq's, contact
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Post by windysisters on May 26, 2020 8:13:59 GMT
Does anyone here know why they've chosen to limit it to Hermes drop-off and not also PO? I can't see any way to ask them i.e. faq's, contact I'm guessing it's because it's a fixed price they have agreed with Hermes which is lower than the cheapest small parcel rate with Royal Mail and as it is the recipient paying, not the sender they can't offer flexibility.
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Post by pennyt on May 26, 2020 8:37:25 GMT
Does anyone here know why they've chosen to limit it to Hermes drop-off and not also PO? I can't see any way to ask them i.e. faq's, contact I'm guessing it's because it's a fixed price they have agreed with Hermes which is lower than the cheapest small parcel rate with Royal Mail and as it is the recipient paying, not the sender they can't offer flexibility. I'm sure this is right. And there is an extra charge for pick-up from your doorstep which would just make things more complicated for the site. I guess they've gone with Hermes as the only option not only because they can negotiate a rate, but also because there will be no question about whether people have posted books or not - the automatic Hermes tracking means it's not possible to accept a swap and then claim to have posted books when you haven't, which was sometimes such a problem on RISI.
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Post by adelynechan on May 26, 2020 8:54:33 GMT
I use Hermes lots when selling on eBay .. The recipient gets an email as soon as the postage label is generated .. Use the link on this email to track - as soon as the Parcel is collected / dropped off, it will be scanned, so then you'll know it's on it's way .. tracking is usually very good .. Can you not add a book by typing in the ISBN rather than title etc ?? Should be quicker & find the correct cover .. That's good info, thanks! My tracking information now says "Delivered", although nothing has turned up so I'm slightly confused... it also seems too quick, I only ordered the book yesterday afternoon. Also the email didn't come from Hermes like it normally does when I buy from companies that use Hermes for delivery, instead it came from Parcel2Go. I'm guessing that's the partner that the book swapping website uses.
The other thing is that this system (recipient pays as soon as they order a book) means that there isn't really an easy option to say "sorry, but I can't send the book because ...". Might be a problem for those who cross-post, I'll have to be careful with that going forward.
Re: adding books, yes you can use ISBN. I just usually don't have the book in front of me when I add stuff to these sorts of sites, since I offer on here first, then add to other online places later from my list on the free books thread. I'm quite good with remembering which cover version I had so just search for title and choose from the list.
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Post by windysisters on May 26, 2020 9:17:42 GMT
I've found an email address for the site so I've sent them a link to this thread and suggested they read it to see the types of questions which are being asked and we can hope that they will use it to inform improvements to their FAQs etc.
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Post by geminii on May 26, 2020 10:23:12 GMT
I use Hermes lots when selling on eBay .. The recipient gets an email as soon as the postage label is generated .. Use the link on this email to track - as soon as the Parcel is collected / dropped off, it will be scanned, so then you'll know it's on it's way .. tracking is usually very good .. Can you not add a book by typing in the ISBN rather than title etc ?? Should be quicker & find the correct cover .. That's good info, thanks! My tracking information now says "Delivered", although nothing has turned up so I'm slightly confused... it also seems too quick, I only ordered the book yesterday afternoon. Also the email didn't come from Hermes like it normally does when I buy from companies that use Hermes for delivery, instead it came from Parcel2Go. I'm guessing that's the partner that the book swapping website uses.
The other thing is that this system (recipient pays as soon as they order a book) means that there isn't really an easy option to say "sorry, but I can't send the book because ...". Might be a problem for those who cross-post, I'll have to be careful with that going forward.
Re: adding books, yes you can use ISBN. I just usually don't have the book in front of me when I add stuff to these sorts of sites, since I offer on here first, then add to other online places later from my list on the free books thread. I'm quite good with remembering which cover version I had so just search for title and choose from the list.
Parcel2Go are a Courier Broker - I use them as you often get a better price than the Courier main site .. Yes, Delivered already is a bit quick - should be Received .. wait and see what the tracking says later today
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peppercricket
Book Assistant
Batley Townswoman's Guild presents the Battle of Pearl Harbour
Posts: 7,075
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Post by peppercricket on May 26, 2020 18:43:13 GMT
No Hermes drop off point fairly close, so that's a no from me!
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Post by natsplatt on May 26, 2020 20:10:37 GMT
None near me either anymore! My local co op was one, but it closed down in March! Nat
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Post by rosemary3 on May 26, 2020 20:21:22 GMT
There isn't one in the whole of Oxford!
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Post by windysisters on May 26, 2020 21:37:25 GMT
I wonder if there's lack of drop off points because the businesses which host them are temporarily closed. I'm sure the dry cleaner near me is one but it's not showing on the map but is of course closed at the moment- might be worth checking again in a few weeks when more shops are open
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Post by pennyt on May 27, 2020 7:53:04 GMT
I wonder if there's lack of drop off points because the businesses which host them are temporarily closed. I'm sure the dry cleaner near me is one but it's not showing on the map but is of course closed at the moment- might be worth checking again in a few weeks when more shops are open This is likely the answer. It's very hard to believe there isn't a single one in a city as big as Oxford in normal times. And often they are in places like dry cleaners rather than the sort of shops that have been able to stay open through lockdown.
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Post by geminii on May 27, 2020 11:21:16 GMT
Hermes seem to be in the middle of a website upgrade, as when I searced for Chelmsford drop off sites it says none too (but there is one a mile away that is open - used it last week) Anyway, my point is, when I put in my Postcode, the locations came up ..... try that
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