Goodbye City-Link, hello DHL

I know the reliability of CityLink seems to vary from area to area, even person to person from what I've read, but over the past few years I've had CityLink deliveries from the York, Sheffield and Leeds depots and haven't had a single problem with any delivery. I'm not saying the move to DHL will be poor by any means, but am somewhat concerned with the 'tarts in Sierras' (had to say it, made me laugh) rather than dedicated vans like CityLink or UPS. In my experience these guys are pretty lax with security, leaving packages with neighbours or on doorsteps. Will have to reserve judgement for now though I guess!
 
Cool, I suppose. Never had a problem with either. I do however like the fact that I can ring the driver and may be able to bribe him to bother coming back.
 
Excellent to see that customers are being listened to, i've never had a problem with citylink but i know that many have, also the mobile number idea is brilliant.
 
Rentokil-Initial share's price has really bombed in the last twelve months. (They own City Link). Beginning of the year £1.20 now about 40p.

I had a delivery from OCUK once when I was not in and it was returned to City Link's nearest depot. Get this 100 miles away.

Bad service will always bite you on the arse at some point.

Well done OCUK for trying a different courier.
 
Edit: Actually after looking into this and reading up on it, I think this sounds like its either going to be terrible or good, I want a dedicated courior van and driver delivering my parcels not a mum who wants some pocket money. should have stuck with citylink and added this as another option.

Thank god you still have Royal mail special delivery, Guess im back to paying for postage.
 
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There's a few silly comments in this thread that have no basis in fact. The facts are that the DHL@Home service is used by many big companies to deliver high value goods including Apple, Dixons, O2 and WH Smith. These companies would not tolerate anything other than a quality, reliable service and that's exactly what we believe this service will offer our customers.

Staff are well trained, micro-managed at branch level and uniformed.

The main benefit of this service is delivery times are now at the customer's convenience. This will considerably reduce re-deliveries which are presently often the following day.

Eliminating the hassle of sitting around and wasting valuable time waiting for home deliveries, DHL@Home customers can have their packages delivered anytime between 0730 and 2100, Monday-Friday. Being able to receive packages at a time and place to suit individuals means a reduction in the number of often inconvenient - for both customer and courier - re-deliveries. During initial trials of the DHL@Home service, the delivery success rate after three attempts ran at more than 99.95%.

DHL@Home couriers are based locally, with an in-depth knowledge of their delivery area and a unique ability to schedule deliveries based on a customer's availability - and not the other way around. They make deliveries using their own cars and can deliver a whole range of goods from electrical items through to clothing.

Each courier undergoes a rigorous recruitment process with DHL, giving consumers extra security and ensuring that the best people are hired to do the job. Couriers are also equipped with handheld PDAs that record the exact time of delivery - helpful if consumers need to follow up on their deliveries.

If a recipient is not in first time round, DHL@Home couriers will leave a card with their personal mobile number so that customers can then call their local courier directly to arrange a re-delivery appointment, eliminating the need to contact impersonal call centres. The re-delivery will be made at an exact time to suit the customer, bringing an end to long delivery-windows and ensuring consumers are not left waiting in vain. It is also possible to arrange for re-delivery to a different UK address, or alternatively request the goods be left for collection at their local DHL Service Centre.

Tim Brown, Sales and Marketing Director of DHL Express said, "I am sure that everyone has experienced the frustration brought on by purchasing an item from a trusted retailer only to be let down by the delivery service - all too often consumers are left waiting for their goods for long periods of time with no clear indication of the time at which they can expect their delivery. Wasting time waiting around for inefficient delivery services can ruin the shopping experience and negate any benefits to consumers who may have tried to save valuable time by shopping online. With our flexible delivery times and network of expert, local couriers, DHL@Home is designed to make life easier and take the stress out of home deliveries."

I should point out that there is a 15KG limit on the DHL@Home service. Anything heavier will be delivered within normal working hours by the DHL Express service.
 
that's a shame, city link was always helpful and prompt for me, still i guess you have to go with the general feeling, i'll await the 'DHL carded me when i was in (and without the bloody phone number)' threads :P
 
I have had many problems with City Link in the past. Recently leaving items with neighbors, sometimes a few doors down the road, but not leaving cards.

I've had to drive miles to their nearest depot to collect items that never turned up while I was in all day waiting. It really puts you off ordering.

DHL can only be better for me and I doubt OcUK would have made this decision lightly.
 
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Just an example of the DHL service. Note that (a) the package was delivered on time, (b) very demanding end user ;)

Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
June 02, 2008 15:38 Santa Maria, CA - USA Shipment picked up

June 02, 2008 18:17 Santa Maria, CA - USA Departed from DHL facility in Santa Maria - USA

June 02, 2008 20:02 Ontario, CA - USA Arrived at DHL facility in Ontario - USA

June 02, 2008 20:05 Ontario, CA - USA Departed from DHL facility in Ontario - USA

June 03, 2008 02:33 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Arrived at DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA

June 03, 2008 07:05 DHL Wilmington Airpark, OH - USA Departed from DHL facility in DHL Wilmington Airpark - USA

June 03, 2008 18:25 East Midlands - UK Arrived at DHL facility in East Midlands - UK

June 03, 2008 23:52 East Midlands - UK Departed from DHL facility in East Midlands - UK

June 03, 2008 23:52 East Midlands - UK Transferred through East Midlands - UK

June 04, 2008 02:15 Leipzig - Germany Arrived at DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany

June 04, 2008 07:20 Leipzig - Germany Shipment on hold

June 04, 2008 07:20 Leipzig - Germany Shipment on hold

June 05, 2008 02:53 London-Heathrow - UK Departed from DHL facility in London-Heathrow - UK

June 05, 2008 03:34 Leipzig - Germany Departed from DHL facility in Leipzig - Germany

June 05, 2008 06:29 London-Heathrow - UK Arrived at DHL facility in London-Heathrow - UK

I got it as expected - actually I phoned them and picked up the delivery from the depot. You'll note the minor detour to germany but the level of service and the tracking show a very professional approach to their business.
 
Spie said:
I should point out that there is a 15KG limit on the DHL@Home service. Anything heavier will be delivered within normal working hours by the DHL Express service.
Click to expand...

Any plans for the checkout doodah to tell you if you are over the weight limit on your order? Also, is there a size limit on the box?
 
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Oxy said:
I dunno if spie will read this messages, but if he does I would like to say well done! I have never had a problem with city link or royal mail but its good that people have a choice to choose a service right for them.

Keep up the free delivery! :)
Click to expand...
Thanks :)
 
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