Freecycle: Postage from NL

General information about postage from NL.
Since 1/1, TNT (our regular mail service) does not handle packages over 100x50x50
TNT was the cheapest and most convenient service till now, but we've got to look into other possibilities for shipping frames, bikes, wheels, rims, etc.
DPD may be an alternative...
If someone else has a good idea, do not hesitate to post it here.

wtf? how did you find out?

this is bad news if it is true, I just promised to send a bike tomorrow...

shit, no good

I was checking the TNT website, because I have to send something soon.
Changed per 1/1.
Also within NL.
Not easy to find a cheap alternative for larger packages.
Maybe if you try at a smaller office. There is a chance that they don't know the rules well and it'll slip through. However, immediately after changeing the rules, everybody may be extra alert.
As I mentioned, DPD may be a good and affordale alternative (EUR 13.- insured), but not that many offices. And for complete bikes it may also be hard, because [circumference+largest dimension] has to stay below 3m.
Let's share our experiences.

my experience before 1/1/11 is that my local 'parcel point' took all bike boxes no problem, as long as they fitted the containers they use. some people I know have indeed had problems with the 'real' post office where they take out a ruler to measure all sides and make you cut down the box...

will let you all know how it goes tomorrow... erm later

Guys, all offices are not longer open for boxes over 100x50x50. I inform at the service desk of TNT and there is no other possibility by using TNT any longer. Even shipping a frame could be a problem. DPD is more expensive also and only a few distripoints.

I will figure out alternative ways but it looks like prices for postage will be to high for middle class bikes. Realy a shame for us and all Uk friends.

If i find good options i let you know.

is that 100x50x50 the maximum volume? So for example would they allow a box at 100x20x70?

Don't think that they will accept it.
All rules talk about absolute dimensions, not about volume.
TNT people I know are the most friendly people. Each time, they even test if a small, flat envelope fits through the jig they have. I doubt if they really want this business.

yeah this sounds pretty bad for us all, i just called the businesservicecenter and its really 100x50x50cm they will not accept 100x70x30cm

sending a frame should be possible i guess but sending full bikes will require 2 boxes i am afraid

sending a mini size frame should be possible i guess

Fixed.

That's not good news at all.
Lets hope someone finds a cheap(er) alternative than volumetric or a really cheap 2 box option....

Has this been resolved yet?

Just checked GLS.
About the same costs and sizes as DPD, maybe more service point.
I sell hardly any frames or bikes (have the bad habit to keep everything), so it doesn't hurt me so much. For frequent bike buyers/sellers it's worse.

Anyone contacted TNT yet? Might wanna speak to them and let them know they are potentially losing quite some business opportunities.

TNT is about to drop 11,000 jobs.
I don't think that they will change the company policies because someone complains that he cannot ship bikes for little money anylonger.
They have other problems.

Dropping 11.000 and at the same time putting on ads on tele begging people to become a part time postie!

The TNT management is realy shit. Once it was Royal Post now there will be no future for them who work for TNT for years. A lot of companies will do complete shipment by other couriers i guess. 100x50x50 as maximum gives not only troubles for "us". Maybe shipping from Belgium or Germany could be a possibility?

are there no other courier companies in NL like DHL?

Jep.. DHL, GLS, DPD, UPS.. They'll be more expensive, but worth a shot.. Good luck!

TNT express 1 day service: € 412.18

but

If one manages to pack the bike in a box that is no bigger than 300cm*, www.parcel.nl might be an option. sadly the boxes I offered them yesterday proved to be over this limit by 19 cms, have to cut & repack :(

• length + twice height + twice width
  

by the way. The guy sending my bike over said his box was 7cm over the limit and the guys in the post office said they didn't mind.

post office? TNT you mean? they will only send boxes of 100x50x50 to destinations outside the NL

Yeah, he went and checked with them to make sure.

mighty strange, since I've been there yesterday doing the exact same, and 100x50x50 is the max size was confirmed, the post office guy called headquarters and I even called the various customer 'service' numbers myself but they all said the same.

so... would you mind asking the guy to explain it in this thread???

Did you buy it from Sape?