What to compare when choosing a same-day courier
When you compare same-day couriers, check eight things: the collection time you're quoted, how quickly you get a reply, whether the vehicle suits the load, whether one driver goes direct, what proof of delivery you get, how urgent out-of-hours jobs are handled, the insurance, and what records you can see afterwards. Here's what to ask, and how Send It Direct answers each one.
Choosing a courier for the first time? Start with our 5-step process for choosing a same-day courier.
The checklist
| What to check | What to ask | How Send It Direct does it |
|---|---|---|
| Collection time | What collection time will you quote, and do you confirm it before the driver sets off? | We quote collection at 30–60 minutes, typically within 45 minutes, anywhere in the UK, and confirm the time when you book. |
| Reply speed | How quickly will a person answer a booking email? | We answer new booking and quote requests within 30 minutes, 8am to 6pm, typically within 4 minutes. |
| Vehicle | Will you match the vehicle to the load? | Vans, Lutons, our own 5m flatbed and, in central Bristol, cargo bikes. Tell us the length, weight and how it loads. |
| Custody | Does one driver take it all the way, or does it go through a depot? | One driver goes direct, with no depot stops and no transfers. |
| Proof of delivery | What do I get when it's handed over? | A signature and timestamped photo, emailed to you on handover. |
| Urgent and out of hours | Who answers at night or at the weekend? | We're available 24/7 for urgent jobs on 0117 454 4144. Routine bookings go by email or the quote form. |
| Insurance | Is goods-in-transit insurance included? | Full goods-in-transit insurance on every job. Confirm the value when you book. |
| Records and emissions | Where can I see jobs, proofs of delivery and invoices afterwards? | In Senderra, our booking and visibility system, live since 1 November 2026 and free for account customers. Every delivery is carbon neutral, certified by Carbon Neutral Britain, with a tree planted for every delivery. |
Collection time
- What to ask
- What collection time will you quote, and do you confirm it before the driver sets off?
- How Send It Direct does it
- We quote collection at 30–60 minutes, typically within 45 minutes, anywhere in the UK, and confirm the time when you book.
Reply speed
- What to ask
- How quickly will a person answer a booking email?
- How Send It Direct does it
- We answer new booking and quote requests within 30 minutes, 8am to 6pm, typically within 4 minutes.
Vehicle
- What to ask
- Will you match the vehicle to the load?
- How Send It Direct does it
- Vans, Lutons, our own 5m flatbed and, in central Bristol, cargo bikes. Tell us the length, weight and how it loads.
Custody
- What to ask
- Does one driver take it all the way, or does it go through a depot?
- How Send It Direct does it
- One driver goes direct, with no depot stops and no transfers.
Proof of delivery
- What to ask
- What do I get when it's handed over?
- How Send It Direct does it
- A signature and timestamped photo, emailed to you on handover.
Urgent and out of hours
- What to ask
- Who answers at night or at the weekend?
- How Send It Direct does it
- We're available 24/7 for urgent jobs on 0117 454 4144. Routine bookings go by email or the quote form.
Insurance
- What to ask
- Is goods-in-transit insurance included?
- How Send It Direct does it
- Full goods-in-transit insurance on every job. Confirm the value when you book.
Records and emissions
- What to ask
- Where can I see jobs, proofs of delivery and invoices afterwards?
- How Send It Direct does it
- In Senderra, our booking and visibility system, live since 1 November 2026 and free for account customers. Every delivery is carbon neutral, certified by Carbon Neutral Britain, with a tree planted for every delivery.
How is a same-day price worked out?
Same-day prices depend on distance, the vehicle, urgency, waiting time, out-of-hours work and whether you're on account rates, so each job is quoted individually. See how pricing works. New business customers' first delivery is covered by our money-back guarantee.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare when choosing a same-day courier?+
The collection time you're quoted, how quickly you get a reply, whether the vehicle suits the load, whether one driver goes direct, the proof of delivery, out-of-hours cover for urgent jobs, the insurance and the records you can see afterwards.
How quickly does Send It Direct collect?+
We quote collection at 30–60 minutes, typically within 45 minutes, anywhere in the UK, and we confirm the collection time when you book.
How quickly will I get a reply?+
We answer new booking and quote requests within 30 minutes, 8am to 6pm, typically within 4 minutes. For urgent jobs, we're available 24/7 on 0117 454 4144.
What proof of delivery do I get?+
A signature and timestamped photo, emailed to you on handover. Account customers can also download proofs of delivery in Senderra.
Is my delivery insured?+
Yes. Every job has full goods-in-transit insurance. Tell us the value of the goods when you book.