Collection vs Drop-Off: Which Is Cheaper?
Home collection is convenient. Drop-off is cheaper. Here is exactly how much you save and when each option makes sense.
Quick Price Check
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The Short Answer
Drop-off saves you £1 to £4 per parcel compared to home collection. For a typical 5kg parcel, you will pay around £3.49 for drop-off versus £5.99 for collection. If you send parcels regularly, that adds up to hundreds of pounds per year.
Price Comparison: Collection vs Drop-Off
| Courier | Drop-off | Collection | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evri | £2.49 | £4.49 | £2.00 |
| DPD | £4.49 | £7.49 | £3.00 |
| Yodel | £2.99 | £5.49 | £2.50 |
| UPS | £5.99 | £8.99 | £3.00 |
| InPost Locker | £1.99 | N/A | N/A |
Prices for a typical 2kg parcel via comparison booking.
When Drop-Off Makes Sense
- You live near a ParcelShop, Post Office, or InPost locker
- You are sending small to medium parcels you can carry
- You want to save as much money as possible
- You sell on eBay, Vinted, or Depop regularly
When Collection Makes Sense
- Your parcel is too heavy or bulky to carry to a shop
- You are sending multiple parcels at once
- You run a business and your time is worth more than the £2–3 savings
- There are no convenient drop-off points near you
Drop-Off Point Networks in the UK
The UK now has over 50,000 parcel drop-off points. Evri has 10,000+ ParcelShops in convenience stores. InPost has 7,000+ lockers (open 24/7). DPD Pickup has 6,000+ locations. Royal Mail has 11,500 Post Offices. Chances are there is a drop-off point within a five minute walk of your home.