IMO and experience, no they're not all crap. But you do get what you pay for, and courier companies realise this now. Few years ago, if you booked a collection on the day, the courier would turn up and collect the parcel. Now they have something like non-guaranteed collection, and a guaranteed collection. Obviously the one where they might not turn up is about Ā£1.50 cheaper or something, I know a few couriers that do that, say they'll collect on Tuesday, then not turn up and collect on the wednesday. But it's all legit and in their T&Cs.
Personally i'd never use Yodel for anything, any parcels I sent go via parcelmonkey, and either via DPD/UPS or DHL.