Myhermes cheaper on Parcel2go website

Recommended : Parcel2Go

Update : Dec 2015
There is no longer a price difference between myhermes and myhermes via parcel2go for lighter parcels. By using the myhermes site direct you get free £25 compensation whereas you don't via inpost.

About : Cheap(est) ways to send parcels in the UK 

My current advice (Dec 2015) :
If thinking of using myhermes either direct or via inpost for a lighter parcel, use the myhermes site.

Parcel2Go :
I'm very impressed by this site. Their site, and if you have an account their tracking process etc is excellent.  

InPostDirect :  
This is a service Parcel2Go seem to be behind where you can leave parcels at nearby lockers 24/7, rather than handing in to a parcelshop like MyHermes. But they don't seem to give any free compensation cover or free notification of item delivered. For heavier bigger parcels they may be cheapest.   

Update Nov 2015 : MyHermes via P2G does not include any compensation
As someone said on the comments, buying myhermes via P2G does not include any compensation if lost etc. Usually couriers give maybe £25-£30 compensation free. So something to think about (e.g. expensive item lost, no compensation ; cheap item lost, maybe doesn't matter)   

Parcel2Go : Always worth checking
MyHermes :Buy from them direct for lighter parcels rather than parcel2go
InPostDirect : Like them a lot apart from : no free delivered notification, no compensation cover, currently nowhere near cheapest for lighter parcels, but may be cheapest for heavier parcels .

Royal Mail online postage service : Avoiding the minimum deposit of £3.50

There are a few annoyances about the Royal Mail online postage service

1. You need to send the parcel within 1 working day of purchase (or is it 2 now ?)
2. The minimum deposit to your account is £3.50 

However, you can avoid the minimum £3.50 deposit by withdrawing any amount left after buying your postage.

myHermes : £2.78 from parcelshops

Post about cheap parcel delivery service

The newly privatised Royal Mail took the shine off myHermes lowest price service when they introduced their £2.60+ parcel service for small parcels. But now myhermes are big in the running, and aside from price are my favourite for parcels under 1kg (Yodel being my favourite for bigger parcels).

myHermes have new rates for their smaller parcel service
£2.78 for a parcel under 1kg dropped off at a collection shop (check size limitations)
£2.98 to be collected by a courier
£50 free compensation

So Royal Mail is still cheaper for parcels that qualify for the £2.60 price, but only by 18p now, and for the minor price difference and a number of other reasons, I prefer myHermes to Royal Mail. Personally I think 'parcelshops' may become a most popular way of dropping off parcels, and possibly of collecting them.  

Some reasons I prefer myHermes :
It can all be done online and no need to 'top up' account
Dropping off at a shop is much easier. Some are open 24 hours
You could pick courier service if you want
You have 7 days to drop off at any parcelshop
Someone signs for the delivery
You can track it and give the code to the recipient

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Links
Current myHermes prices

New 'small parcel' service from Royal Mail. Under 1kg for £2.60 2nd class

As of October 2013, Royal Mail has introduced 2 'small parcel' sizes for delivery at £2.60 if under 1 kg using 2nd class.

The full details are :

2 small parcel sizes (one deep and one thin and wide)
weight : under 1kg
2nd class cost : £2.60
1st class : £3
(correct on October 13)

box sizes : wide  : (length 45cm, width 35cm, depth 8cm)
                  deep : (length 35cm, width 25cm, depth 16cm)

This would seem to be the cheapest 'small parcel' service on offer. I prefer myhermes but they are around £3.90 for 0-2kg (and size) but you can drop them off at an outlet probably 24 hours a day (e.g. local 24 hour shop) . Another alternative is Collect+

Royal Mail small parcel news page
Official Royal Mail Video about new Royal Mail small parcel service

How big is a UK Postbox slot ?

question : How big is a UK postbox opening/slot ?

older postbox ; smaller slot

Answer : It can vary (mostly depending on age). Probably a rule is ; the older the box, the narrower (and probably smaller height) the slot. Central post offices probably have the biggest slots.

The biggest slots are pobably in new areas and also at the local main post office.

Note : The slot slopes upwards
The slot tends to slope upwards (e.g. to keep out rain I guess), so if tight, it could be worth trying to push the parcel in slightly upwards (to follow the angle).

Can you put parcels in postboxes :
My understanding is YES. I have put parcels in.  

Estimate sizes :
An estimate would be between 8-12 inches wide and maybe 5.5cm high (or smaller).

Width : In old areas, it can be as little as 8 inches wide. But in the newest areas it may be around 12 inches wide. And areas between old and new may vary between these sizes. This rule probably applies to height as well.

Height : As mentioned above, the newer the postbox the more likely it has more height. My local postbox made around 1981 is probably around 5.5cm high.

I use a postbox probably built around 1981 which has a bigger slot than older versions (both in width and height)

Examples for 1980's postbox slot :
Using a circa 1981 postbox, I have found the following :

UK postbox slot (1981)	width	height
	20 cm  : fits easily 25 cm : fits quite easily large letter size (exactly) : should fit 1980+ slot easy	4.8cm high package : fits easily 6 cm high box : does not fit

Note : Older postboxes tend to have much smaller slots !