How Sending Your Luggage Ahead Works
When planning to travel, you typically start with the basics, your chosen mode of transport and accommodation. But once you've got the basics figured out, it’s time to move on to thinking about the next details like your luggage and what you need to take with you. This can be particularly important when flying as baggage allowances can significantly increase the price of your ticket (or reduce what you can take with you).
Sending your luggage ahead simplifies travel logistics by allowing you to arrange for your belongings to be transported to your destination before you arrive, whether you're travelling from London or any other location.
Of course, if you’re choosing to drive or get the train, you’re also limited on how much stuff you can take with you, though this will be less about cost and more about practicality. That is where luggage shipping services come in.
There are loads of reasons you might wish to use a luggage service. For one thing, if you’re moving house or studying abroad, you won’t need to pay a fortune for extra baggage. Alternatively, you might be transporting large goods on holiday (like skis, golf clubs or surfboards), and let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t want to start your holiday by standing in a long queue at check-in.
Well, sending your baggage ahead with a trusted luggage shipping service could be the ideal solution. Here’s how it works.
1. Find the right provider
If you’ve never shipped any luggage before, the first step is to find a trusted provider that operates in your area. You can do this by researching online and weighing up your options.
This might include reading reviews and looking for those who offer the best price. There are a few other important details you should also consider before you settle on a provider, these include:
- How quickly do you need your luggage to be shipped - do they offer next-day services? Or will two to three-day shipping suffice?
- Do they offer flexible booking options that allow you to cancel/change your booking if you need to?
- What is the refund policy should you cancel your booking - do they offer refunds at all? If so, how far in advance?
- If you plan to send sensitive or breakable items, which service is best to ensure the safety of these items - do they offer special services?
Keeping all of this in mind, you can compare providers and make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
Just remember, you mustn’t sacrifice good service for a cheap provider. It would be best if you got the balance right between a good price and using a shipping provider you trust. So don’t rush your decision and carefully weigh up all your options.
2. Book online
Once you've found the right company, the next step is to book these services online. You will do this in much the same way you would book your flights or accommodation and there are several key pieces of information you will need to do this. You will need to know:
- The date you want your luggage to be collected
- Where your luggage will be collected from - the full address
- When you want your luggage delivered
- Where it needs to be delivered to - the name and address of your accommodation, house, hotel, etc.
- How many bags there are and the total weight of your luggage
Armed with all this information, you will be able to quickly and easily book your luggage arrangements through the online form.
3. Sort out the paperwork
You must keep your booking confirmation somewhere you can easily access it, just in case you need the information at a later date.
Not only this, but some providers will require you to print out the labels for your bags, so make sure you have the means to do this in plenty of time before your baggage is collected.
When it comes to your luggage, it’s a good idea to add tags to your bags with your name and address or contact number on them so that they can be traced back to you. This is a worst-case scenario of course, but it can give you peace of mind when shipping your bags ahead.
On that note, you may also wish to get insurance for your luggage, especially if you’re moving house or shipping valuable items. This is just another way to put your mind at ease. And again, make sure you save this information somewhere safe and accessible, in case you need to make a claim. Comparing removal companies is also a good idea to move larger items such as furniture in a cost-effective way.
4. Pack your bags
As the shipping date approaches, you need to pack your bags and ensure everything is ready. Be sure to pack these neatly, protecting any valuable or breakable items as best you can and make sure that all relevant labels are attached.
5. Courier collection or delivery
Some service providers will offer drop-off points where you can drop your bags ready to be shipped. However, most providers will collect your luggage straight from your door, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
When that day comes, the courier will come to your door and get your luggage from you.
6. Sit back and relax
Now it’s out of your hands and out of your hair so you can sit back and relax as the shipping service does the hard work. All you need to do is catch your flight, bus, train, etc. and enjoy a peaceful journey without lugging bags around.
When you get to your accommodation on the other side, you can await the arrival of your baggage. Or, depending on your arrangements, it might even be there already waiting for you when you arrive.
7. Planning your return
If you plan to ship your luggage both ways, you need to make sure that you have the labels or information printed and ready for your return before you leave. Then, you will once again need to repeat the steps we’ve outlined above, getting your bags ready for the collection date and time.
Then you can once again sit back and relax, enjoying your journey back home without having to worry about your bags.
It’s really that simple! Trusted shipping providers make the process as straightforward as possible, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
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