“Hello, I have come to pick up my Vinted package number 154817.” The scene is reproduced more and more frequently in the businesses of Périgueux (Dordogne) which act as relay points, so that all the gifts are at the foot of the tree on the morning of December 25. “I can no longer see them, these packages,” laughs Kenza Alaoui, employee of the Le Pont Neuf tobacco shop, rue Pierre-Magne.
The young woman estimates that more than a hundred boxes and packages are delivered daily, sometimes by Mondial Relay, Relais Colis, DHL, GLS or the latest, Vinted Go, launched by the clothing and accessories sales site d opportunity between individuals. Each carrier has its tour. “We are not supposed to receive packages on Monday, but we do it anyway, to avoid overload on other days,” says Kenza Alaoui.
Funny goods
In the back room, her colleague Léa-Olivia works to process each package. This includes scanning them, numbering them and storing them while they are retrieved. Tires, beds, public works equipment: traders have already received strange goods.
At the Le Pont Neuf tobacconist, parcels sit alongside magazines on the shelves.
Honorine Morel-Jean
Of course, they receive a commission, which ranges, according to those met, from 20 cents to 1 euro per package, but the system becomes profitable if and only if the number of packages handled is considerable. Which raises questions about the place taken by this service in the daily lives of small traders. The Chatpristi pet store, avenue du Maréchal-Juin, warns on its telephone answering machine: “If your call concerns a package, please contact the carrier directly. »
“We get upset when there are lost or late packages”
Despite everything, there is something for everyone. “It’s certain that there are quite a few customers who collect a package and buy something else,” agrees Kenza Alaoui, before continuing: “But sometimes, we only do that and we lack time for our work usual for tobacco shop employees. »
Corinne Lescloupe, who alone manages the tobacco bar L'Amphore, in La Cité, has been experienced in the exercise for years and years. She has integrated the logistics induced by parcel management into her daily life. “Yes, in December, there is a lot of activity and it requires organization and work, but I am used to it, and I am preparing my trapezoids,” smiles the manager.
Honorine Morel-Jean
Corinne Lescloupe, owner of the tobacco bar L'Amphore, is experienced in logistics.
During the Covid-19 crisis, half of the surface area of his bar could be occupied by parcels. “We are a local business, it’s important to offer that,” believes Corinne Lescloupe. I need to diversify. For example, the sale of cigarettes is set to decrease. »
At L'Épine et la Rose, a funeral goods store established on Cours Fénelon less than a year ago, the experience has been positive. Quickly, the managers, Aurélien and Teddy, started packing the packages. They were also the first in Dordogne to sign with Vinted Go, a few weeks ago.
According to them, this service brings them welcome visibility. “There’s a lot of traffic. It requires making space and, on the financial side, it brings us a pittance, Aurélien makes no secret. But if we are organized, it's good, and we do it to make our work known. A lady who had already come to pick up a package bought a plaque last week because there was a death in her family. »
Absorb constraints
The seller highlights his love of being a trader and welcoming customers, but for some, that is not enough. However, still referenced online, Marie and Philippe Favard, of the Créa fil's haberdashery, rue Wilson, said stop to Relais Colis seven years ago. “We had to pass 1,000 packages to earn 300 or 500 euros,” Marie believes she remembers. They were everywhere in the store, and it's not our core business. »
If the months of December were financially interesting, the “aggressiveness” of customers took over. “They parked in a double line, were execrable and wanted to go in front of everyone to collect their package and quickly leave,” breathes Philippe. Merchants are held responsible for delivery problems. “We manage customer stress. We get upset when there are lost or late packages,” confirms Kenza Alaoui.
For Marie Favard, becoming a relay point is interesting if the structure and staff can absorb the constraints that this entails. “I take my hat off to those who continue. » In January, the ballet of packages will continue, with those disappointed at Christmas having to quickly return the gifts that did not please the foot of the tree.
