A courier delivering a package to a home
The notion of parcel delivery is used to refer to the commercial type that is sold or stored in packages . A package, meanwhile, is a well-prepared package or packaging of one or more items.
Main meanings
Generally the idea of a package is used with reference to the box used for the transportation and/or delivery of a product . Parcel delivery , in this framework, is the service that allows said package transfer .
In both Argentina and Uruguay, on the other hand, they speak of parceling to refer to composure in the setting, decoration or clothing . For example: “Look how your godfather is dressed, what a package!” , “I was surprised by the restaurant's packaging, I didn't expect it to be so elegant” , “Parcel delivery is not my thing, I don't like fashion” .
Another meaning that is used in these same countries refers to the decorations or clothing that an individual puts on when they want to show off their appearance, for example, to go to a party. This is a very similar meaning to the previous one, although in this case the focus is on the objects used and not on the result. If we wanted to rephrase the first hypothetical situation in the previous paragraph, we could say "Your godfather has taken out all his packages for this party."
And this leads us to relate these two uses of the term parcel with two of the meanings that the dictionary assigns to parcel : "said of someone: who exhibits notable dedication in his behavior, his way of dressing or his grooming"; "said of a house, a celebration or an article of clothing: made elegantly and with dedication." Since here the word acts as an adjective, and not a noun, we must alter its gender so that it agrees with the noun it modifies: "a suit package" , "a house package" .
Parcel service
A parcel service, in this way, includes all the logistics and resources that are needed so that a person can send a package and ensure that the recipient of this package receives it. This service is provided by courier or mail companies .
Suppose a man wants to send a book as a gift to his son, who lives in a city 500 kilometers away . The father takes the book to the post office, acquires a box to assemble the package and completes the label with his descendant's information (name, postal address, etc.). Thus, the mail company that provides the parcel service is in charge of taking the package to the corresponding warehouse until proceeding to transfer the box and its subsequent delivery to the recipient.
Service evolution
In the beginning, parcel services were very simple: the customer had to go to the corresponding office with the package they wanted to send and complete the procedure there (including payment ) to begin the shipment. But in recent times, its features have changed considerably, including more and more advantages .
Parcel services also offer home pickup
One of the benefits offered by almost all parcel delivery companies today is the collection of packages at home. This means that we can complete the entire process without leaving our home: we simply have to indicate a day and time for the courier to come pick up the package, and the rest is waiting for the recipient to receive it.
Cash on delivery is another service that can be chosen as a complement to shipping products. This is especially useful in an online purchase, as it provides greater security to the recipient, because they are not forced to pay until the process is complete.