But when we talk about a city like Bansko, the situation becomes even more specific. In addition to locals, the city is a global hub for digital nomads, expats, freelancers, and tourists from all over the world. This means that the need for reliable international shipments, as well as flexible working hours to receive personal belongings, is huge. During the winter season, logistics can be a real challenge due to traffic and snow-covered streets.
So that you can make the best choice every time – whether you are ordering equipment, expecting a shipment from Amazon, or sending a gift abroad – we have created this detailed, honest, and up-to-date comparison of the two main players in Bulgaria: Econt and Speedy, refracted through the prism of life in Bansko.
1. Receiving and sending: Convenience in the busy season
Both companies offer three main delivery methods: to a physical office, to a vending machine (locker) and directly to an address. In a mountain resort, seasonality plays a huge role. In winter, offices are often crowded with people sending ski equipment or receiving online orders. For the convenience of all newcomers and tourists, up-to-date information and addresses can be found in the detailed catalog for courier companies in Bansko.
- Econt: They have large, well-equipped offices in Bansko. They usually have spacious fitting rooms, making them an excellent choice if you are ordering clothes with the option of “view and test”. Their “Econtomats” also give solid discounts if you want to avoid the lines.
- Speedy: They have both their own offices and a partner network. Their biggest asset in Bansko is Automated Post Offices (APS). They are extremely popular among people with busy schedules and often represent the cheapest option on the market for receiving small shipments.
2. Prices, hidden fees and the “Triple Bill” trap”
Here lies the biggest difference between the two companies and the reason for the righteous indignation of many users. The pricing and penalty fees are radically different.
Basic price for domestic delivery (up to 2-3 kg)
Speedy is definitely the more budget-friendly option for standard domestic shipments in Bulgaria. Delivery to their office or ATM usually ranges between 4.70 BGN and 5.80 BGN. Econt position themselves as a premium service, respectively, a standard small shipment (office-office) costs between 6.50 BGN and 8.00 BGN, the amount including fuel, road fees and a possible percentage for cash on delivery.
“Shopping” Fee (Stay)
This is the fee that often makes consumers pay double or triple for a cheap item. Even in Bansko, the rules for parcels staying in the country are in full force, which is key if you are skiing all day or traveling frequently out of town.
You have exactly 7 working days to pick up your shipment from the Econt office completely free of charge. BUT! If you don't go by the seventh day and don't call explicitly to have it returned or redirected, Econt automatically starts charging you a hefty storage fee of 6.88 BGN for each overdue day! If you are late by a weekend (3 days), over 20 leva will be added to your delivery price. This is a policy to clear out warehouses, but it hits hard on your pocket.
On the other hand, Speedy are much more lenient in this regard. With them, you also have 7 days in the office (or usually 3 days for a machine). The main difference is that if you miss the deadline and don't pick up your parcel, Speedy simply returns it to sender. You will not be charged aggressive daily fines of 7 leva.
3. International shipments: Speedy's trump card in Europe
When it comes to shipments to and from abroad – a critically important topic for digital nomads and expats in Bansko – the differences between the two companies are very clear.
Speedy is part of the international DPD network. This is perhaps the most important fact you need to know about European logistics. DPD is one of the largest land courier networks in Europe. What does this mean in practice?
- If you order equipment from Amazon Germany, clothes from sites in Italy or equipment from Spain, the shipment almost always travels with DPD and arrives directly in the Speedy network in Bansko, without changing my tracking number.
- Their “DPD Economy” service is extremely competitive for sending boxes of personal belongings from Bansko to anywhere in Europe.
Econt and their partnerships: They have an excellent, in-house network in neighboring Romania and Greece. If you are trading or shipping to these destinations, they are fast and reliable. However, for deliveries to Western Europe or other continents, Econt uses external partner networks (subcontractors). This often makes their service more expensive and complicates tracking compared to Speedy’s direct integration with DPD.
4. Quick Comparison (Table)
| Characteristics | Econt | Speedy (DPD) |
|---|---|---|
| Price to office (domestic small shipment) | Higher (~ 6.50 – 8.00 BGN) | More budget-friendly (~ 4.70 – 5.80 BGN) |
| Stay fee (fine after the 7th day) | 6.88 BGN per day! | No daily fines (the shipment is returned) |
| Strength in international shipments | Excellent for Greece and Romania | Leader for all of Europe (DPD network) |
| Convenience for clothing testing | Excellent (large offices with trial) | Good (depends on the specific object) |
Final recommendation: Which courier should we choose?
Choose SPEEDY when:
- You want the cheapest possible delivery to Bulgaria.
- You order at a vending machine (their locations are extremely convenient, you avoid the queues in Bansko and save money).
- You are expecting an international shipment from Europe or you are shopping from major online retailers in the EU.
- You have a busy or unpredictable schedule (if you go on a multi-day hike in the mountains and forget your package, at least you won't be charged a huge daily fine).
Choose ECONT when:
- You order expensive clothes, shoes, or ski equipment and want to try them on in a large and comfortable fitting room before paying.
- You have their office literally next to your apartment or hotel in Bansko and it is most convenient for you logistically.
- You are sending something very fragile and want strict control, quality packaging on site by an employee, and high insurance.
- You are sending shipments specifically to Romania or Greece.
