Seeking to hire an express courier service for your business? You may be wondering how to go about choosing one that’s just right for your business needs.
There are a few factors to consider such as cost, services offered, delivery options and reliability.
If you are trying to decide whether or not you should outsource your business deliveries to a courier service you are going to need a guide. Take a look at the eleven questions you need to ask when hiring express courier services for your business.
1. How Long Have You Been Doing This?
If you’re shipping a personal package then the cheapest courier will do. However, the courier service that you use for your business must be reliable and established.
To hire a third-party courier service means to put an area of utmost importance for your business in another person’s hands. It is important to verify how long they’ve been doing deliveries. Be sure to check reviews on sites such as Google and Better Business Bureau.
2. What Kind of Services Does Your Business Offer?
Different couriers offer different services, so always ensure that the courier you choose to use can manage all your needs. Availability is important, so make sure you find out if they have a 24/7 service and if they do deliveries on weekends and public holidays.
Pricing is also important. Check if they have different rates and services for commercial shipping compared to personal shipping. Finding out if they offer online services as well as same-day services is a must.
In the same breath, find out about any tracking or insurance that they have. Ask how tracking is done and if it is accurate.
3. What’s the Size of Your Fleet?
Whether you’re going to ship a small or even moderate amount monthly you should still be concerned with the size of your courier’s fleet.
Fewer trucks or cars, as well as drivers, means a higher likelihood of having your packages being delivered late. Do your checks to ensure that the courier’s fleet is able to meet customers’ needs including yours.
4. Do You Have Good Drivers?
Let’s face it unreliable drivers will lead to unreliable service.
First, verify if they wear uniforms. Wearing them is a sign of their professionalism and indicates that the drivers like the courier are serious about business.
Next, verify their training and how fast they drive or are allowed to drive. Check if they have good customer service skills.
They may act as the only source of contact with your customers and partners for your business. You need to be sure that they’ll represent you well.
The last thing to verify is the company’s insurance and whether or not they do background checks on their drivers before employing them.
5. How Do You Secure Shipments?
Bad drivers are one thing but knowing how shipments are protected is essential. Find out how packages are handled at all stages of shipment. Ensure that you ask if packages are secured during driving.
Ask if they use insulated trucks and if they have insurance against damage caused during handling. Ensure that you verify what measures are in place to protect your shipment.
6. How Will You Stay in Touch With Me?
The truth is that your delivery will not always go as planned. Be sure to find out in these instances how the courier service will communicate with you.
Find out how you’ll be notified of weather delays and details on cancellations.
If your courier lacks standard responses or can’t properly address your concerns, choose another one.
7. What is the Timeframe for Deliveries and are They Guaranteed?
Find out how they calculate their deliveries as well as how accurately they deliver to meet their timeframe. Does a three-day delivery mean exactly three days, less than three days or four to five days?
These questions are crucial to ask.
8. How Else Will I Be Notified?
Besides communicating with you about cancellation or delays, how else will you be notified? Check if it’s possible to get confirmation of your delivery as well as any other shipping status updates.
Find out if there’s an app, website or text service. Ensure that they have a way of keeping you informed and updated.
9. Is Your Price Better Than Other Competitors?
Most services will already have competitive pricing, the catch is that the pricing is not usually for all customers but for a specific type. Ask this question to find out why their price is the best in order to identify if you match the customer type it caters to.
10. Do You Offer Package Pick-up?
Whether they can pick up a package in a timely manner is crucial to your business. Find out if they offer same-day, immediate pickup or if it depends on the size or time of the request.
Look for a service with a regular pick up schedule that is fast and reliable.
11. Are There Any Package Restrictions?
Verify package contents. Find out the rules they have for packages. Are there some packages that they absolutely do not deliver?
Are there any special rules for certain packages?
A Final Look at Hiring Express Couriers
When hiring express courier services for your business you need to consider many factors so that you choose the right one.
Ask questions about their years in the industry, insurance, drivers and restrictions in order to be certain that they meet your business needs. This eleven smart questions checklist will ensure that you’re on the right track.
The last thing you want as a busy business owner is to be worried about whether or not your deliveries will reach your customers late or worse yet, damaged. All these are factors that you must think about if you want to succeed in business and retain customers.
If you would like to find a good courier service for your business please don’t hesitate to find one of our locations near you. We can help you with all your delivery needs.