When we think about topics that our followers might like to hear about, the POST isn't usually something we'd think of first.

But in reality, it's a HUGE part of what we do at Bombus. And while it may not sound particularly glamorous, you'll be surprised at how integral and complex it can be getting your parcels out of our studio and delivered to you.

What part does the post play at Bombus?

As an online retailer, we rely solely on delivery services to get your personalised gift to the intended recipient. It is the MOST crucial part of our day and we work furiously to make sure we meet the post deadline. If you enter our studio between 3pm-4pm you will see the whole team around the packing table making sure that the day's orders are framed, wrapped and scanned in time for pick up.

It can be a fun, but mad, few hours. But rest assured we often have the music blaring while we pack, and a well deserved cup of tea when we finish.

What post services do you use at Bombus?

We predominantly use The Royal Mail, who have been exceptional team mates of ours from the very first card we sent out twenty years ago.
Every day at around 4pm we see the postman driving down our long drive in his van. He will dutifully collect all of our bags and parcels, load them up, and take them off to be sorted and sent out.

For larger items, such as our big frame pieces and our Alternative Christmas Trees, we sometimes use local courier services. This can be for things that are outside the weight limits for Royal Mail or some international destinations. We have a great team of providers who can get our parcels to anywhere in the world.

What process do you go through to get the post ready for the postman?

How something is posted is decided as early as the design process.
Different sized items and different shapes all mean that our gifts need to be packaged correctly for the post. For example, we would be reticent to design something really skinny, super long and flat, because it would be difficult to wrap up safely to send through the post. Weight limits also mean that our designs need to be light enough to fit within the parameters of what the Royal Mail allow, otherwise they would incur hefty courier charges for our customers.

Once we have designed our gifts, we move on to packaging. We try to fit our products in the most compact sized packaging we can. Not only does this help us to keep prices as low as possible, it also protects the product and stops it rattling around in a too big box and damaging itself in transit.

Feel good factor

We also want to make sure that the unwrapping experience is a happy one for our recipients. So a lot of time goes into checking that as well as being protective, the packaging is easy and enjoyable to open. And that it looks spectacular! We've learnt a lot over the years, and through trial and error, sending out test parcels, and customer feedback…we've managed to keep damage to a minimum. Even with expensive and delicate frame pieces!

And not to mention SUSTAINABLE! You've surely read our sustainability pledge by now...right?

So is it then just a case of sticking a stamp on the parcel and sending it off?

The post isn't quite as simple as that. We have what I suppose you could call a 'mini post office' at the studio. To start, our team take every one of your orders and label it with your provided address.

It is then scanned into our computer system. The weight and size of each item needs to be correctly entered so that we can make sure the right postage is charged. We also select which service we wish to use to deliver your item. This can be from 1st class post, through to Special Saturday Delivery. Depending on what the customer has selected and been promised at the time of order.

Once all of the information is entered a new label is printed, and we can then mark your item as officially dispatched. Each parcel is popped into a specially marked bag for each service, before being handed over to our postie!

That sounds like it takes a long time!

It does. And at Christmas especially it is a full time job for one of our team. The noise of the scanner is part of the soundtrack to our busy periods, and sometimes we can be sending out as many as 400 items in a day!

What problems do you face with the post?

The biggest challenge is meeting the delivery expectations of our customers. Once our items leave our studio they are in the hands of our delivery provider. And we know that they work super hard to get the parcels delivered on time. However, there are inevitably obstacles that each postie has to face and occasionally some of the parcels may be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. When a customer is waiting for a time-sensitive gift, such as a birthday card or anniversary gift this can be very tricky!

We do our best to rectify any problems as quickly as possible, but we always recommend for those time sensitive and important gifts it is well worth upgrading to a tracked service so that we can easily locate your gift and keep you updated!

Thank a postie

We all rely on our posties to deliver the many gifts and purchases we make online these days. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic they worked tirelessly through unprecedented volumes of post and circumstances. And we are always so grateful for the team of posties who visit us at Bombus and collect all of your parcels.

If you see your postie when they're dropping off your goodies, be sure to give them a big thank you from us!

Wait, oh yes, wait a minute, Mister Postman
(Wait) wait, Mister Postman
Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) is there a letter in your bag for me?

Please Mister Postman
Songwriter(s): Georgia DobbinsWilliam GarrettBrianbert (Brian Holland & Robert Bateman)

Bombus post

UK DELIVERY
Standard delivery: £0.95 - £3.95
Tracked delivery (orders before 12pm) 1-2 days: £5.95
Guaranteed express delivery (orders before 12pm) next working day: £9.95
Guaranteed Saturday delivery (orders before 12pm Friday): £11.95

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD DELIVERY
Europe (3-5 working days)
Small: £6.00 (any non-tracked items under £25)
Medium: £12.00
Large: £15.00
XLarge: £25.00
REST OF THE WORLD (5-7 WORKING DAYS)
Rest of the world (5-7 working days)
Small: £8.00
Medium: £15.00
Large: £20.00
XLarge: £45.00