Just how am I supposed to weigh a parcel?

There are ways ...

It would be rude of us to suggest that you may need to "think outside of the box" when it comes to weighing a parcel before you arrange a collection. The truth is, though, along with inappropriately packaged items, submitting the wrong weight is one of the biggest issues that arise when sending a parcel via a courier network. What's more, we do reserve the right to pass on any extra charges we face if a parcel has its weight underestimated.

How can I find out the weight of my parcel?

There are a few things that you can do to get the correct weight:

• Check where you bought the item(s). Many online retailers display the weight of goods they sell; it would simply be a case of adding up those weights and adding extra for packaging. 
• Weigh the items separately. Many of us have bathroom scales that we can quickly place items on and still see the weight. If you had more than one item, just add the weights together. Don't forget to ensure that the scales are calibrated.
• Search for similar items on the internet and check what their weights are.
• If you wanted to be totally sure when you're buying presents online this Christmas, and you want to collate them and send them to separate addresses, you could take a note of the weights that you'll often find on the delivery labels.

It would be worth checking different price points when you're getting a courier quote if you add a kilo or two to your estimated weight check to see if the price rises or not. This should give you a touch more peace of mind.

How can I measure my parcel?

We recently came across a handy app for your smartphone via ProductHunt called AirMeasure, which allows you to measure a box without needing a tape measure. It is a virtual tape measure allowing you to measure a box at any time in any place, perfect for that odd occasion when you need to know the parcel dimensions.  

You can of course measure the height, width and length of your parcel using a tape measure if you have one.

Related Help Pages:

• Will my parcel be weighed?
• How much does it cost to send a package?
• Heavy parcel delivery information