Courier services can relieve a lot of stress from a company – they save on having to pay an employee to take packages in person, and they are significantly more reliable and timely than standard mail services.
However, courier services do vary in the services they excel at, and some are simply better than others. So how can a company ensure that they are investing in a courier that has the company’s best interest in mind? And how can the company ensure that they are getting the best value from the courier they have chosen?
1. Ask for references
It is a good idea for companies to ask the courier for references. If possible, the company should try to acquire a reference from a company in the same industry, or in a relevant industry, as this can ensure that the courier can handle the kind of jobs the company is expecting.
The courier should provide references without hesitation. In fact, if a company has trouble receiving references from the courier, they should consider this red flag number one. The courier should have at least a few references readily available, and if they don’t it could mean bad things about their service.
2. Discuss the expectations
It is important for the company to inform the courier of exactly the service or services they are looking for. Is it a couple deliveries a month? A week? A day? Companies should make sure that the courier they are considering is properly equipped to handle the volume of service required.
Companies should also consider the possibility of internal growth. Is it possible that the company will soon outgrow this courier? If the answer is yes then they should consider choosing a courier who could handle more so they have some room to grow into it.
3. Analyze their services
Couriers can offer a variety of services, and often specialize in specific service offerings. For instance, one courier company may specialize in international deliveries, while another may be more focused on local deliveries, and may not offer international deliveries at all.
Companies need to ensure that the courier they are considering offers all of the services they need, and that they do all of those services well. Sometimes companies will enlist multiple couriers in order to take advantage of the strengths of each one. This is one option, however it is much simpler to try and find a courier that will take care of all of the company’s needs.
4. Negotiate pricing
Pricing is obviously an important aspect of the decision – companies want to know that they aren’t being taken for a ride by their courier. The courier may be willing to discuss a custom pricing list for the company based on their needs, however this is not always the case.
A caution for companies: do not simply look for the cheapest price option. While it is okay to consider the cheapest courier as an option, the company should ensure that they aren’t giving up an important feature or need to save a dollar.
5. Find out what ordering and tracking features are available
Courier companies have traditionally used telephone communication to secure service bookings. However, with the increased use of the internet, many companies have introduced online service requesting, tracking, and billing.
Companies may or may not feel that this is a necessary option, however it is important to know that it is a feature that is still not offered by all courier companies across the board, so if the company feels it is an important feature for them, they should ensure it is offered by the courier company they are considering.
