RickD: I have had no problems with CourierPost.
But Fast Way is useless, they have no 0800 number, contacting the branch here is nearly impossible - you get an answer phone if you call in the middle of the day, they leave a card without calling the number on the package when they say they will, once they've left a card it's a number of days before they get round to re-deliverying even if they say it'll be next day, they don't seem to be open weekends/don't answer the phone in weekends so for me a pick-up is impossible... I'm never ordering from a site that uses Fast Way again.

nunz: I would second what someone above said - talk to the Courier company. Business in that industry is fairly competitive. Tell them your concern, lay it out factually and let them know what you dont find acceptable. If enough people in an area complain about a delivery person, that person will get a prod where it will do them the most good - courier companys normally do try to do the right thing.

Also if deliveries do take an exceptunally long time, more than expected, feel free to dispute the invoice from the company. Our over night packages regulalrly took three days from Chch to Auckland or Wgtn. We 'negitiated' (read refused to pay full price) the price for those deliveries.

I got charge $65 for a parcel from Tokaroa to Chch - 8 days. Negotiated that price down to the level of what I would have paid via NZ post. THe company found the hold up point in the north island and had discussions with those responsible - I believe that francisee may have lost payment on the entire job to cover the reduction in my bill - I'm sure their resposnse levels improved. However, until i worked to improve the service , the courier company had no way of knowing what was happening.

Be proactive - be part of a continuous feed back loop to improve performance. - Also make sure you play nicely with the local guy. The ones i 'know' seem to give best service.