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Advancement in technology continues to ease the speed and process required in shipping merchandise from one destination to another. Moreover, you can use delivery services for all your business-related package deliveries and personal gifts and souvenirs to a friend in a different part of the world.
Additionally, when transporting valuable goods and documents, shipping Canada courier provider can ensure your parcel arrives quickly and safely. Though there are numerous courier service companies available, making an appropriate choice is never easy. That is why we have outlined the signs you should be aware of to prevent you from making mistakes.
Cost
While choosing a courier service company based on price alone may seem like the only option since you are on a tight budget, they may not measure up to providing the best overall service. As the saying goes, “cheap is expensive.” You may reason and think that selecting a cheaper courier service provider may save you some cash, but you could find yourself spending more instead.
You, therefore, must find a balance between affordability and very expensive. Please note that expensive does not always guarantee quality service, and selecting an option that’s too cheap has the possibility of you receiving mediocre service.
You have to strategically find the balance between the two extremes by shopping around for a courier that offers customized services to meet the specific needs that will help you save on expenses. As you consider choosing a courier service, aim to get a competitive quote from each of them, then settle the best option.
Working with a startup courier company
It would be best if you ensured extra precaution when dealing with a new courier service company. A new company may not have job experience, and they have not yet streamlined their service provision.
Location
One common mistake many people overlook is identifying the physical location of the courier service provider. Even though various shipping agents claim to deliver everywhere within the country and beyond, most of them lack the necessary facilities, such as an office in a particular location. Many potential customers ignore this on the assumption that the transport provider will honor their end of the bargain only for them to be disappointed.
Communication
Before entering into any agreement with a courier service provider, make sure that you fully discuss every process of the consignment, how long the process will take, and the exact amount you will have to pay to put to rest all your fears and anxieties. Some courier companies offer tracking services that are best to find out the location of your packages.
Failure to do so may lead to dispute eruptions and a protracted disagreement on how much the entire process should have cost.
Rules and regulations
Make a point of reading and understanding the company’s policies, rules and regulations before signing that binding contract.
Selecting the wrong courier service
To select the wrong courier services for your shipping needs, you must first understand and differentiate the types of courier services available in the market, and they include next-day delivery, same-day delivery, and international delivery.
Partnering with the wrong courier can create problems for your business. When a challenge arises, if your courier delays rectifying the situation, it can harm your business.
Late deliveries
Late deliveries are a challenge for both the business and the customer. The customer has paid for the products and feels offended that their delivery is taking longer than it should, while on the other hand, you don’t want your business’s name to be tarnished for not delivering on time. Besides, customers will make plans around the time your courier has stated for delivery. Hence, they will be frustrated by the inconvenience caused by the delay.
To not be a victim of such an unfortunate incident, conduct extensive research on a courier beforehand. Observe their testimonials and online reviews on their website before making a final decision. Previous customers narrating their experience with the courier will help you gauge their track record.
A same day courier service provider that has many five-star reviews for timely deliveries is dependable, and you can trust that your package will get to its final destination on record time.
Late delivery may be caused by a challenge of documentation at customs leading to frustrated customers. For your shipment to receive clearance, it must have all the proper credentials to enable it to pass through customs without any hitches. Too many delays can negatively impact your business, leading to losses and ultimately the business’s total collapse.
To prevent challenges at customs, work with courier companies that are knowledgeable and have experience clearing processes at the customs department. An experienced courier will immediately notice any problem that might arise with the shipment missing specific documentation or certification. A knowledgeable courier will advise you and help you get solutions before the papers are presented at customs offices for approval.
Goods damaged in transit
Every entrepreneur desires to send products and hope they reach their ultimate destination in the same condition they were in during the packaging process. You wouldn’t want your valued customer contacting you complaining about products that arrived broken or damaged. If this were to happen, you would incur losses as you have to send a replacement with additional transport charges on your part.
To avoid disappointing and inconveniencing your customers, hire a competent courier service provider who will offer advice on better safety packaging methods for your goods.
The type of packing should depend on the product type, size, and amount of time needed to reach its final destination.
Customer care
With the complexities presented with shipping procedures, the last thing you want to encounter is an impolite, hostile, and uncooperative customer care representative. More so, when there has been a challenge and your delivery is yet to reach its ultimate destination.
If something goes wrong, you don’t want either your business associates or customers dealing with a hot-tempered person on the other line of a phone conversation. Generally, people are more gracious and able to forgive when treated with respect.
One factor to consider is the level of support that customer care representatives are willing to provide should a challenge arise. You will be less anxious when your courier is empathetic to your plight and does everything at his disposal to sort out the issue.
From the moment you step onto a courier’s premises, you can gauge their customer service quality.
You may also like: 4 Tips on Choosing Delivery Trucks for Small Businesses
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