11 Smart Questions to Ask When Hiring Express Courier Services for Your Business

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.

same day logistics

Deliver ASAP: 8 Awesome Things You Can Get Same-Day Delivered

Same-day delivery is a growing industry and more and more retailers are realizing that they need to deliver ASAP. We’re familiar with some of the things that you can get delivered: Amazon parcels are a prime example. Yet what you might not know is that there are a whole host of other things that you can get same-day delivery on.

The world of couriers and delivery is constantly changing and we know it can be confusing. We’re experts in package delivery and have already shown you online stores that offer fast shipping. Today, we’re going to take a look at some surprising items that you can get same-day delivery on.

Ready to find out more? Read on!

1. Groceries

We’ve all been there. You’ve been out to the store, come back and start unpacking your groceries and oh no! You’ve forgotten the milk!

Well never fear, concerned customer! There are multiple different companies out there that offer same-day delivery on groceries. When you need them to deliver ASAP, look to one of these companies:

  1. Costco, who deliver same-day in most major metropolitan areas
  2. Google Express, which lets you shop at Walgreens, Walmart, and Target
  3. Whole Foods in selected cities
  4. Walmart, which offers same-day delivery to 40 percent of American households.

2. Flowers

Are you preparing a romantic gesture for your loved one? If you’ve forgotten to arrange flower delivery and you need to get some flowers to your partner ASAP, then you’re in luck, as multiple florists now offer same-day delivery.

You can assemble a custom bouquet or choose a ready-made one. As long as you’ve ordered in time, you’ll be able to get those flowers to your partner in no time at all and make her day go with a bang. Perfect for those would-be fiances with poor timing (don’t worry guys, we’ve all been there).

3. Makeup and Hair Products

Getting ready for a night out and realized that you don’t have all the crucial parts of your look? Then you can hop on a number of beauty websites and get your products delivered.

You could even go one step further and get beauticians delivered to your house! The Glam App is an app that serves several cities across the US and can get beauticians, makeup artists, and hairstylists to your home that very same day. If you’re in need of a little TLC or want to make sure you look incredible tonight, this service could be what you need.

4. Important Documents

Getting critical documents to business partners and clients is a hugely important part of the business. In today’s fast-paced world, you can’t rely on the postal service and their slow delivery when a business could be at stake.

Happily, you can get important documents delivered same-day by couriers, such as ourselves. Depending on the courier, your documents may also be covered by insurance, which means that if anything goes wrong and you lose these valuable documents, you’ll be protected.

Same-day delivery is the best way to get those contracts, budgets, and other important business documents to their recipient in no time at all.

5. Wine

You bought the flowers for your loved one, did you get the wine for that romantic dinner? Maybe you want some wine to pair with that steak that you’re cooking for your colleagues? Whatever reason you need wine right now, there are multiple different companies in the US offering same-day wine delivery to major metropolitan areas.

If you’re lucky, your local liquor store may have partnered with a local courier company like ourselves, which means you can get your wine in a matter of hours! Whether you need a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot, there’s no reason to let a lack of wine spoil your plans!

6. Clothes

If you need new accessories to finish your look off or want a new pair of shoes delivered, you don’t need to wait a few days to get them! Online clothes shopping has come a long way in recent years and it’s getting even better.

Online clothing giant ASOS offers same-day delivery on the hottest fashion. To get it to you on time, ASOS will hand their products over to a local courier who can deliver asap and get you your new favorite part of your wardrobe.

7. Exotic Candy

Is your candy bar just not doing it for you anymore? Do you want something a bit more interesting, a bit more exotic? Then you should look to the far east and it’s delicious candies.

Whether you want to munch on Pocky or enjoy a green tea KitKat, there are services out there that offer Japanese candy with same-day delivery!

So how does it work? The company will import candy from Japan and store it in its warehouse. It will then hand the candy to a local courier who can get it to you within hours. Not bad at all, right?

8. Cakes

Is it a birthday or another special occasion? Do you just fancy a slice of cake? Hey, we’re not judging you.

A lot of local bakeries now offer same-day delivery on their baked goods, including cakes and pastries. They partner with local couriers to make sure that customers in their area can get their sugar rush that same day.

If you’re looking for something to tempt your sweet tooth or that of your friends, check if your local bakeries offer same-day delivery! You might be surprised.

How Companies Can Deliver ASAP

You might be wondering how companies can deliver these goods so quickly. What’s changed that means they can now deliver ASAP?

Well, same-day delivery is the result of smart logistics and the local courier revolution. If you need goods delivered in your local area, you should reach out to a local courier, not a huge multinational.

That’s where we come in: we’re a local courier with locations across the United States. If you need to deliver goods to your customers, we can help you. If you’ve got any questions for us, please get in touch by calling: 800-268-7437

6 Ways Your Business Can Benefits From a National Courier Service

As you run your business, you’re forced to find a balance between maintaining the current business model while also constantly looking for different ways to refine it.

Finding a way to streamline aspects of your business will gain you an edge over your competition. One of the best ways to do that is by finding a national courier service to team up with.

By doing so, you’re joining forces with experienced professionals that can redefine your entire shipping process. What does that mean in the end? Happier customers!

Here are several benefits you’ll have access to if you were to use a national courier service.

1. An Equal Partnership

As with any other area of your business, if you’re going to team up with an outside service, you want to make sure both sides are benefiting from it. Otherwise, the side that isn’t benefiting will be less likely to hold their side of the bargain.

With a national courier service, they’re always willing and ready to fulfill your shipping needs.

That’s because, if you don’t have a need for them, they don’t get any business from you.

They’ll deliver (pun intended) high-quality service to both you and your customers with every project so that you’ll continue to use them. Better yet, if they keep up the good work, you can refer other people to them as you sing their praises.

National Courier Services pride themselves on efficient shipping methods and surpassing your highest expectations.

2. Same Day Delivery

How many times have you found yourself in a situation where, in order to have your package shipped on time, you need to send it yesterday? Every business experiences that!

With a national courier, you’ll have a shipping benefit that other shipping services won’t be able to offer you: same-day delivery.

That’s right! Now your packages can be sent out, shipped, and delivered all on the same day with no questions asked. 

For example, if you forgot to ship a prototype to your manufacturing plant in Denver, you could send it and have it delivered by the end of the day. Now the process can continue without wasting precious time waiting for the prototype to get there.

Don’t let your shipping limitations hold back your business. From now on, same-day delivery is an option you’ll have in your repertoire.

3. Trustworthy Service

Unfortunately, trustworthy service isn’t something that’s guaranteed in this day in age. 

Luckily, with a national courier, trustworthy and reliable service is something you can count on with each package.

They’ll treat your package as if it were their child, making sure that it gets to your desired destination on time and in perfect condition. They’re constantly looking for ways to further improve a process that’s already tried-and-true.

Do you still have trust issues because you’ve been burned by a delivery service in the past? No problem at all! National couriers have methods for you to be able to track and monitor where the package is at all times.

You’ll be updated as soon as the package arrives. What’s better than that?

4. Innovative Technology

Unless you’re willing to spend your company’s revenue on the best and brightest shipping technology, your shipping methods won’t be able to keep up with the times.

With the huge rise of eCommerce, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the demand for shipping products (and that’s a good thing!).

That’s why your company needs access to the latest technology for its shipping. The national courier service that you use will have all the innovative equipment that you need.

Look no further than the logistics and communication technology that’s needed to pull of a same-day delivery order from Tallahassee to Denver. Thanks to the technology nation-wide courier services have, that’s possible.

5. Affordable Pricing

Say no more, right? If no other reason in this article has convinced you to make the switch to a nation-wide courier service yet, then the price reductions will.

They’ll offer you several shipping methods that can help you save on your costs. Things such as bulk shipping, fleet shipping, and cost per mile are significantly cheaper with a national courier. 

Consider the alternative, which would be carrying out the shipping under your company’s umbrella.

You then have to pay for things such as delivery drivers, trucks, insurance, the vehicles you’ll use, onboarding, licensing, etc. Why add all of that to your plate?

Instead, reach out to your neighborhood-friendly national service and receive a quote to use them.

6. One Less Thing on Your Plate

As a small business, you already have enough hats that you and your employees have to wear throughout the day to keep things afloat. Why add the stress of packaging and distribution?

Instead, use a service that has the professional experience, know-how, and resources to streamline your distribution needs.

In doing so, you’ll be able to free up more time to focus on tasks that your business and clientele are depending on. 

You got this far by overseeing your shipping processes, but that method won’t take you much further. Put your distribution in the hands of a nation-wide courier and witness tremendous growth in your company as a result.

Start Your Partnership with a National Courier Service Today!

Now that you’ve seen all the benefits at your disposal, it’s time to find a national courier service that fits your company’s needs.

Be sure to read this article on eCommerce shipping solutions for more information on how to keep up with your products’ demand.

For more information, start by requesting a quote and we’ll be happy to assist you further.

Shipping a Bike: How to Travel With Your Bicycle

Airlines made $5 billion in profit from baggage fees in 2018. Anyone looking to travel with large gear on a plane needs to pack smart. If you’re trying to fly with your bike, things can get complicated real fast.

Trying to tour with your bike requires a lot of prep-work to avoid getting burnt on fees. Shipping a bike is possible through a variety of methods. You can hand ship it like any other package, store it as an extra check bag, or have someone else handle it all for you.

If you have the luxury of going with option three, you can skip ahead. Everyone else, consider your options carefully. This guide can safely secure your bike without sacrificing too much time or money.

Flying With Your Bike

Sometimes, flying with your bike is cheaper than shipping it. This is going to depend on the destination and the type of bike you have. If you have a full-sized bike in a special bike case, some airlines might charge you extra.

If you have a foldable bike that is no bigger than standard luggage, you could come out paying nothing (Southwest Airlines) as your second check bag.

Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, and United will charge you additional fees for your check bags. If you’re going overseas, expect to pay even more from airlines like KLM, British Airways, and Cathay Airlines.

Travel By Train

You may think that traveling by train is the least expensive option for shipping a bike with you, but it’s often not. For one, trains are expensive in the U.S. You get to your destination much later and pay more.

The irony here is that trains have a bike service on some routes. Stowing away a bike may only cost you $10 on Amtrak, for example. Bike boxes are sold at Amtrak, too, so at the very least you can use them for shipping materials.

When you reach Europe, though, it’s a different story. Biking is way more accessible and so are the trains. As long as you’re traveling on low-traffic commuter trains, you shouldn’t expect to pay high bike fees or bother with boxing it up.

Shipping a Bike

Planning ahead and shipping a bike to your destination is smart and can save you some money. Shipping a box with a major carrier is usually bad news, though. Bikes have gotten extremely light and compact, but not enough to dodge shipping fees.

Your bike, after it is packed into a box, is going to weight a lot and the dimensions will cause shipping rates to multiple. Insurance is often a huge premium, too. You’re best off going with smaller, experienced shipping service providers.  

Bike Shops

One of the more expensive, but least troublesome ways to ship your bike is with the help of a local bike shop. They’re going to have the most knowledge when it comes to disassembling and packaging your bike. It’s also possible that you could get your bike shipped to another shop at your destination.

Then, when you arrive, the other bike shop can professionally assemble everything, tear it down when you’re done, and you never get your hands dirty.

Needless to say, all this hands-on labor will cost a lot, but it reduces the chances of something failing on the bike. 

Bike Travel Cases

If you like the idea of traveling with your bike to every vacation or bike tour, you might want to invest in a travel case. This will significantly reduce the time spent packing it up and provide adequate protection. The top bike cases are between $300 and $600, but they’re worth it if you travel a lot.

The bike case materials and form will vary based on your needs. The sturdy, hard cases are more expensive and heavier. If you actually plan on carrying your bike over long treks, go with a soft-shell case that won’t add too much weight.

Packing It At Home

Shipping your bike off in a box is a delicate process. It requires intimate knowledge with your bike, proper packing materials, and time. If you think you have all of these three things, this could save you a lot of money.

There are plenty of detailed bike packing instructions and tutorials on the web, so we’ll just cover the basics. Use this as a sort of checklist to avoid skipping or forgetting to do things.

  1. Remove handlebars, rotate fork, and stem backward.
  2. Place bike chain on the highest gear.
  3. Remove pedals, seat post, and seat.
  4. Wrap handlebar, seat post, seat, and pedals in foam.
  5. Take off racks, bottle holders, lights, splash guards, and wrap them.
  6. Tight and tape together the smallest parts to reduce box travel.
  7. Label contents clearly and create a manifest.
  8. Remove all previous labels or barcodes if using an old box.
  9. Create two labels, one for the outside, spare on the inside.

If you follow these steps in order, your bike and your investment are secure. By taking every precaution and documenting it, you will avoid being denied insurance payouts. Packages get lost, stolen, and damaged all the time, if it happens to you then you’re covered with your preparation and proof.

Need It Now?

You have lots of options available if you’re shipping a bike. Don’t settle for subpar service or expensive shipping rates. There’s nothing special about shipping a bike if done correctly.

Don’t let other carriers tell you that your bike is a special exemption. Go with a shipping courier who is honest and fair with their rates. Need It Now courier service can get your bike where you need it, safe and efficient.

Get a free quote instantly or call us if you have any more questions about shipping logistics.

The Biggest Advantages of Using Air Shipment

There are many different options when it comes to shipping a package. Too many almost, making it hard to figure out which is the right shipping option for your needs. 

If you’re trying to ship something that has high value at a low volume, look no further than Air shipping. Keep reading to learn more about the biggest advantages of using air shipment

Air Shipment Has A Global Reach

Air shipping is unique because it can get your packages basically anywhere. There are dozens of airlines that can each deliver to 200 destinations. While the top five airlines of United, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, and Turkish Airlines can fly to over to 300 destinations.

There are so many airlines with a large network of destinations, making it possible to ship anything anywhere in the world. You can send a shipment to pretty much any worldwide destination with air shipping. 

There are more advantages to air freight over other forms of transportation

Highly Accurate Ship Dates

Airfreight is more reliable compared to other forms of shipping. Especially since in 2016 late arrival of flights was less than fifteen percent, and cancelation rates were less than two percent for the top five airlines. 

This reliability of air shipping made it possible for postal services to guarantee overnight deliveries. While cargo shopping that involves transportation through the ocean has a bigger range of when the package will arrive

This is due to the variability in delivery dates that is caused by the loading and unloading time in ports. This can bottleneck because of not enough space, workforce, machinery or equipment. 

Follow The Status Of Your Cargo

A lot of air shipping companies give you the chance to track your goods online. This allows you to monitor the status of your cargo from its departure to its arrival. 

Many companies give you the opportunity to track your goods using a web application, which means you can monitor the status of your cargo from departure to arrival to keep constantly updated.

You also can track your air-shipped package online. This feature is also becoming more and more common with sea and land shipping as well. 

Less Risk 

There’s also less risk and lower cost when you airship items due to the short transit time. Airfreight has very short lead times, meaning there is less of a chance that goods will be spoiled so you can transport perishable goods. 

This short shipping time also makes it safer to transport valuable goods like jewelry, banknotes and precious metals with a lower risk of theft.

Because of this low risk and a higher level of airport security, insurance rates for air freight are usually ten to thirty percent lower than the ocean freight. This is because items can usually be delivered faster as in less than a week.

These low insurance premiums mean that you save a ton of money. Since the air cargo transportation tends to not take a lot of time, the insurance is less. Even if the actual shipping cost of an item is pricey, you will still save on insurance rates. 

This higher level of security also means there’s less of a chance that items will be damaged or stolen. When you ship by air, there’s a lot of security, as airport safety is very tightly managed. Tight airport security reduces the chances that your package will get stolen or damaged. 

You Can Keep Fewer Items In Stock

Since there is a quicker transit with air freight, there’s less of a need of local warehousing, so you don’t need to keep items in stock. Cargo inspection, customs clearance, and cargo handlers are more efficient, as with air shipping cargo are cleared in just a few hours. 

You don’t need to keep high amounts of items in stock to make sure you don’t run out of items before your next air shipment. Having fewer backstock items in your warehouse means there’s less of a risk that items will get damaged or become obsolete as they wait to get sold.  

It’s The Fastest Shipping Method

When you have goods that need to move quickly, the best solution is air freight. Airfreight is the fasted shipping solution when compared to road transport and sea freight. 

Speed and air-shipping go hand in hand. When you have cargo that needs to move quickly, air freight is your answer. FedEx air freight can ship a package from Hong Kong to Delaware in one to two days, by sea this could take anywhere from thirty to sixty days or even more. 

Air fright tends to move items faster and on a precise schedule. Perishables that have a shelf life such as seafood and or fruit, should be shipped by air because it’s the faster mode of transportation. This will increase the chances that your goods will hit shelves in more than enough time.  

Reliable Arrival And Departure Times

When you ship a package by air, the arrival and departure times of your package are very reliable. Airlines tend to be very on top of their schedules. If a package misses a fight, it’s okay because there are usually flights departing every hour, so this won’t cause that much of a delay.

Air freights has less unpredictable delays than ocean or land freight. For example, there are fewer strikes with the airline industry compared to other industries. Airfreight delays are usually connected to weather conditions.

The weather can also delay land and ocean shipping, but there are also more strikes with trucking and longshoremen unions, and other work slowdowns that can impact shipping. 

Less Packaging Is Needed 

While ocean freight can sometimes accommodate pharmaceuticals and perishable goods due to refrigerated containers, there is a chance you might be charged more for this.

This packaging also needs more protocol and doesn’t move your shipment any faster. You are also moving the package at ocean speed with potential fees and delays that are connected with sea shipping. 

But usually, air shipment needs less heavy packing than ocean shipments. This will save you time and money from paying for extra packing. 

Airship Your Package Today 

Now that you know all the benefits of air shipment, why would you ship an important package any other way? Air shipping saves you money, time and risk. If you want your package to get to its destination efficiently,  you’re going to want to airship it. 

For more information on shipping, contact us today!  

How to Ship Heavy Items Without It Costing You a Small Fortune

If you’ve ever looked up couriers online, you might find out some fun facts.

For example, did you know that courier services date back to Ancient Egypt? Pharaohs used them to communicate with other important people! It’s pretty interesting to see how these mailing services have been used over the years.

In the present day, lots of people still use courier services. If you’re someone who wants to use them, either personally or professionally, you likely know how expensive it can be. But don’t be alarmed! There are ways for you to ship even large items without it costing you a ton of money.

Here, we’re going to give you insider tips about how to ship heavy items and save money, all at once.

Find a Great Courier Service

If you’re a person or a small business that’s trying to ship a box, whether it’s overseas or not, you might have the instinct to try to do everything yourself. This isn’t the most effective or easy way to do things, though contacting a good courier service can save you both time and money.

Basically, a courier service is someone you hire to work out how to ship your packages in the best possible way and see it off to the destination. These professionals will make sure that both you and the person at the other end of your shipping route are happy and satisfied. 

With the help of a service that will let you ship your boxes, you won’t need to worry about getting the boxes to the post office by yourself. You also will have to deal with a ton less shipping paperwork. This will give you the time and energy you need to focus on other things to make your business grow.

Research How to Ship Heavy Items

Shipping heavy items can be a difficult thing to look into because what you need to do depends on where you’re shipping them to. But one thing’s for sure: whether you’re shipping abroad or domestically, you’re going to want to do your research.

Our service can help with this a little bit, sure, but it’s still good for you to be in the know about what’s going on with packages you’re shipping to your friends and family in other places or to business clients you’ll be working with. This way, if you have to field a barrage of questions, you’ll have actual answers.

Plus, researching about shipping large items will make it easier for you and the person you’re sending to track the item, so that’s an obvious plus. You’ll know how to look into this and make sure your package gets there cheaply and quickly.

Look into Flat Rate Boxes

Presumably, you’re reading this article because you want to ship your heavy items as cheaply as you can. One of the best ways to ship anything is by packing your items in a flat rate box.

Flat rate boxes come in all sizes and can be shipped by you or your courier service using any major US shipping service. Basically, these boxes aren’t measured and shipped by weight but instead are shipped at one price for the size of the box, regardless of how heavy its contents are.

So if you’re shipping something really heavy, flat rate boxes are your best friend. If you want to save money, ask your hired service what you can do to make sure you’re sending at a flat rate instead of shipping by weight.

Learn About the Fastest Options

Even if cost and saving money is your top priority, it’s likely that speed is also a factor in how you’re going to ship your heavy boxes. After all, you don’t want to keep the person on the other end of the shipping route waiting, especially if they paid their own hard-earned money for your goods.

Same-day courier companies are really amazing for making sure that your package gets to where it’s going, and fast. They’ll make sure your box’s journey to its destination is as fast and smooth as possible, sometimes even taking responsibility for its next-day arrival!

Also, hiring services like this one and learning about the quickest shipping options go hand in hand with cost-effective shipping. Using same-day services can help you in reducing overall inventory costs as well as vehicle costs!

Do Your Packing

You probably are rolling our eyes about now, thinking that there’s no way that packing can be such a hard thing that we need to dedicate a section of this article to it. But even though packing up your heavy items might not sound too difficult, it’s definitely something you need to consider.

Even though courier services can help with your packing in some circumstances, sometimes you’re going to have to get down and dirty with the fitting of items into boxes yourself. There are a lot of ways that you can maximize your packing space, from folding up certain kinds of items to using the best bags and boxes for what you’re doing.

When you do a good job of packing, you aren’t just making things easier on yourself, your client, and your courier. You’re saving money. Better packing means that fewer boxes or smaller boxes are going to be used in transit, which means that shipping costs are sure to be lower.

Look into the Best Services!

When you’re shipping heavy boxes, you want to find courier services that work for you, learn about different shipping rates, and pack well.

Now that you know all about how to ship heavy items effectively, you might want to check out our courier registration page to get the best services for your shipping needs.

Save a carrier pigeon; hire a courier!

How a Local Courier Service Kicks Up Your Customer Experience And ROI

local courier service

Whether it’s waiting in line or waiting for a delivery, no one likes waiting longer than they have to.

That’s why quick delivery is a cornerstone of the customer experience.

Just how important is delivery?

More than half of online consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 expect same-day delivery from retailers. And more than 60% of consumers surveyed would pay more for same-day delivery if offered.

Not only is your overall customer experience at stake, but so is your return on investment. Here are several more reasons why a local courier service is beneficial for both.

Local Delivery Helps You Stay on Message

Have you thought about the role delivery plays in your branding identity?

If not, you may be going off-message without realizing it.

If you’re a sandwich shop that prides itself on quick service and fresh ingredients, a poor delivery experience does not align with your brand’s message. Likewise, a high-end boutique that prides itself on personal service would also have their brand tarnished by a bad delivery experience.

The only thing worse is offering no delivery at all!

Here are several more industries that rely on dependable local delivery:

  • Florists and flower shops
  • Food catering services
  • The gift industry
  • Pizza parlors
  • E-commerce businesses
  • Diners and restaurants

Without a local courier service, these industries run the risk of hurting their brands and losing business from profitable customer segments.

A Local Courier Increases Customer Engagement

Customer service is more than just picking up the phone, taking an order, or dropping off a meal. Great customer service inspires engagement, opening the door for more up-sells, cross-sells, and continued customer loyalty.

One survey found that more than half of customer engagement is driven by convenience and 80% driven by product quality. Furthermore, customer loyalty depends on likability and trust by more than 80% of consumers surveyed.

What does this mean?

Not only is delivery necessary, but it’s also an opportunity to improve upon engagement, and ultimately, the customer experience.

Here are a few ways a local courier service can increase customer engagement:

  • On-time delivery
  • Friendly, personable service
  • Fresh, piping hot products
  • Solid communication
  • Product knowledge
  • Valuable customer feedback

A local courier service is also a great way to distribute more direct marketing materials like menus, fridge magnets, business cards, delivery-only specials, and other coupons.

Damage control

Mistakes happen. We’re only human. That’s why every business needs a damage control plan.

If a local diner makes a mistake with a takeout order, a local courier service can be an indispensable tool to have on hand. Within minutes, a take-out customer can go from disgruntled to dissatisfied without having to call a manager.

This is a great way to avoid those dreaded bad reviews on Yelp and Google.

Furthermore, using a local delivery service helps you go the extra mile in pleasing a disgruntled customer. You could quickly rush complimentary desserts, condiments, or even free food to make up for the mistake.

Short on Staff?

Speaking of damage control, we all know how staff shortages can negatively impact the customer experience.

This is where your Local courier service comes in.

Just because your diner or boutique is short on staff doesn’t mean your deliveries have to skip a beat. Instead, use a local courier service for those times when you are short staffed or an employee calls out sick.

Local couriers are particularly helpful for those holiday rushes!

In fact, if you like the ROI you see from local couriers, you may want to permanently add it to your business model.

Integrate Your Order Fulfillment Process

Are you still relying on your landline for order fulfillment? It’s time to step into the 21st century, and a local courier service will help you get there.

How so?

More service-oriented businesses like yours are using web apps to streamline their order fulfillment processes. This means your customers can order from you online if your landline is busy.

Furthermore, online ordering may even be mandatory for retaining profitable consumer segments.

According to a recent survey, the majority of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 prefer shopping online to the brick-and-mortar experience. Couple this with a Deloitte study that found that more than $0.55 on the dollar is influenced by digital devices.

What’s the big takeaway? Convenience is key. 

Integrating both apps and local courier services into your delivery process can improve the customer experience exponentially. This would mean shorter wait times, quicker service, and improved communication, all hallmarks for solid customer satisfaction.

Make Your Brand Exciting Again

Taco Bell literally broke the internet when it announced it was adding delivery to select stores.

If your business isn’t offering a delivery option now, this could be a great way to generate excitement for your brand.

For years, consumers decried the fact that their favorite fast food chains didn’t deliver. Well, all that started to change just a few years ago when such popular brands as McDonald’s, Panera Bread, Subway, Burger King, and Shake Shack started to deliver.

By delivering through third-party services, these companies gave the term ‘fast food’ a brand new meaning. Why wait forever in a drive-thru line when you can have your Big Mac delivered right to your door?

As more big Brands add delivery to their service options, expect your customers to expect the same from you.

The Next Step in Your Customer Experience Journey

Think your business can live without delivery? Think again!

Without a local courier service by your side, you run the risk of hurting your brand’s message and missing an opportunity to excite your base. Plus, you’ll miss even more opportunities to boost customer engagement, reduce damage control, and drastically improve your order fulfillment process.

Ready to rethink how delivery can impact your business?

Keep this article bookmarked as you revamp your customer experience strategy. Check back often for more customer service tips or speak directly to a local courier professional.

7 Questions to Ask Before Your Hire a Business Courier

Are you looking for courier services to handle the shipping needs of your business? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 74,120 couriers in the United States. The sheer number of couriers means that there is a lot of competition for your business.

But how can you find a courier that provides the services you want at an affordable price? What other things should you be looking for in your courier? Read on to learn 7 questions to ask before you hire a business courier.

1. How Long Have You Been Handling Courier Services?

It’s important to ensure the courier you are considering has experience in the industry. This is because you will want to know if they are familiar with the business and how to best deliver the services they promise. A courier service that has a reputation for customer service and on-time deliveries can go a long way.

After all, you are hiring a business courier because you have time-sensitive documents or items that need to make it to their destination as you request.

2. What Sort of Training Program Have Your Drivers Received?

Before hiring a business courier, you should learn about any and all training programs they put their drivers through. But why does this matter?

Simply put, having a well-trained driver can help you be more confident that your items will be delivered safe and sound. Besides being a safe driver, you should learn more about their other qualifications.

For example, if you are in the medical field, your documents may include information that is personal and protected. This means you will need someone who is familiar with HIPAA compliance.

3. What Is Your Responsiveness to Customer Needs?

Whether you are shipping goods or buying a product from a retailer, you should only deal with a company that is responsive to your needs.

You can speak with a prospective courier about their customer service program. This will help you get a sense of how they handle special requests and inquiries about delivery status.

In the shipping industry, there are also important considerations like inclement weather and traffic considerations. How does this courier handle communicating a change of plans?

If you are having trouble receiving direct answers to these questions, this could be a red flag. After all, if a business won’t address these inquiries directly right now, how can you expect them to help you when they are handling your courier services?

It’s better to learn these things ahead of time than to learn the hard way in a delivery gone wrong.

4. What Technology Do You Use?

Years ago, hiring a local courier meant finding someone with a good reputation and a reliable mode of transportation.

But that’s changed in today’s digital age. You should speak with your courier about the sort of technology they use in their day-to-day operations.

Some of these technologies you should ask about include whether or not they offer a live tracking system. Another convenient feature to consider is if they allow you to place your orders on the internet.

These forms of technology can help streamline your requests and improve your overall shipping experience.

5. What Delivery Options Do You Offer?

Your business courier should offer a wide range of delivery options and stand by their services.

This is important because you want to be confident that you can count on the courier to complete your delivery under the time constraints for that order.

Does the courier offer same-day delivery for all items? If not, what items are excluded from that list? Consider the sort of items or documents you will be shipping often and the average delivery time.

If a courier does not offer you the options you need, you should look elsewhere.

6. How Does Your Pricing Compare to the Competition?

When you are looking for the best courier, it’s also important to consider whether or not their pricing is competitive.

Speak with a prospective business courier to learn their pricing structure. Then compare it to the competition so that you can determine if it is a reasonable price.

When comparing prices, consider the type of service being offered, along with other unique features of the service that may help justify the cost.

It’s also a good idea to speak with the courier about whether they offer any pricing discounts based on shipping volume. There may be some opportunities to save significant money if you use their services up to a certain level.

If a courier does not offer any volume discounts and they have a high price, they may not be the courier you are looking for.

7. What Makes You Stand out from Your Competitors?

To earn your business, a courier should stand out from the competition in a unique way.

This can be because of the way they handle receiving deliveries, their pricing structure, or the technology they use. But more importantly, it may be the way they treat customers and their focus on providing premier service.

You should speak with a courier about what makes them different. This can help you be more confident that you are choosing the right courier for your company.

Wrapping Up: Questions to Ask Your Business Courier

A courier can help deliver documents or packages in a timely manner at an affordable price.

But to find the best courier for your business, you should speak with them about their service and get a feel for how they operate. By learning in advance what is offered by a courier, you will be able to make an informed decision.

At National Courier and Logistics, we offer a wide range of unique courier services. These include warehousing, freight forwarding, luggage delivery, and other shipments.

Our well-trained staff will identify the best solution to your situation. We do this by weighing all your options and evaluating them against your needs. This allows you to capitalize on our services and complete a fast, successful delivery.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your company’s courier needs.

10 Benefits and Reasons to Use Refrigerated Services

Refrigerated services are far from new. The first refrigerated railroad car was patented in 1867.

This invention sparked a revolution. Food, dairy, and meats underwent a cultural transformation. People could expect different quality and different products all across the United States as a result.

But the benefits of refrigerated services today go far beyond the access to traditional goods. Businesses that select the best-refrigerated transport services can gain access to a larger market base.

With the support of specialized services, companies can lower costs, increase sales, and create more value to the bottom line. Preserving assets, lowering liability, and creating more solid customer relationships are all benefits of refrigerated shipping.

Here are 10 benefits to expect from quality service:

1. Efficient Packing

Professional refrigeration shipping services go beyond keeping products cool. With a trusted service partner companies can realize the major value of logistics support and shipping.

Controlling temperature and protecting shipments has two major components. This includes the density and packing of the cargo, as well as the temperature controls.

Unless both are factored, along with the delivery of cargo along the way, businesses won’t get the protection from their refrigeration systems they need.

Also, too many businesses that use their own shipping fail to maximize their spend. With efficient packing as part of the service, each business can get the full value of every shipment.

2. Training

The business world is increasingly specialized. As part of a standard operating plan, most businesses are working to decide what their core competency is.

Unless businesses focus on their core competency, they are working at a disadvantage. Everything from tech services to human resources is typically open for outsourcing to remain competitive.

The reason is that these partnerships strengthen service offerings. Further, they allow every essential component to be at the high end of expertise.

A trusted refrigerated services provider will have trained professionals to meet every need. This level of training and expertise is impossible for most companies to achieve on their own.

3. Safety

Professional services are more complex than many companies understand. Logistics and transport are the backbone of many successful businesses in the digital marketplace.

But beyond the benefits of these core requirements comes a complex safety standard. The training, documentation, and products required for safety compliance demand experience and attention.

Utilizing the right refrigerated services assures these aspects of business operations are in full compliance. The safety of transport services, as well as the safety of the transported goods, can be assured.

4. Unparalleled Control

Today’s refrigerated transport services offer a high level of temperature control. This control allows for medical supplies, food, and other cargo to be in full adherence to temperature standards.

These temperature controls also offer protection in the unlikely event of a breakdown or flat tire. Even with a delay in the shipment due to unforeseen circumstances, businesses can rest assured their assets will be protected.

Refrigerated serviced don’t simply mean freezing the product. From flesh flowers to highly controlled medical shipments, the level of control from refrigerated transport is the support many businesses require.

5. Keep It Fresh

In the book Ten Restaurants that Changed America, author Paul Freedman details the cultural changes that have shaped American culture. One of the clearest trends in recent time is the shift from mass-produced food goods to local and fresh foods.

People are continually demanding a fresh and customer-centric experience. This expectation requires the support of refrigerated trucking.

Keeping it fresh doesn’t just apply to foods, but it can. Consumers don’t just want healthy, fresh foods — they are willing to pay more for them.

6. Adjusted to Cargo

Refrigerated services are not a one size fits all offering. Different companies have fluctuating needs.

The needs of each shipment are precisely adjusted for with refrigerated services. A trusted service provider will take care to match expectations against equipment performance.

This level of expertise offers companies peace of mind. As their offerings change they can rely on the same provider to tailor service to their cargo requirements.

7. Tracking

Businesses need to provide consumers and 3rd parties information in the now. With tracking services integrated into shipping, every moment is accounted for along the way.

Companies can provide internal and external stakeholders with information in real-time.

8. Overcome The Hot/Cold Barrier

The success of Amazon and other online retailers is a result of catering to the customer experience. In the digital age the more that companies can cater to the unique expectations of their clients, the better.

There is a $600 billion opportunity in the marketplace. Millenials have a preference for ordering food, including hot and cold items.

The right transport partner won’t just give you reliable service. The right transport service will give you access to a whole new opportunity with a changing digital marketplace.

9. Analytics

It isn’t enough to collect data. The competitive advantage data offers resides in the analytics it provides.

Refrigerated transport services professionals will go beyond the basics of data collection. They can match the KPIs of transport to the metrics each company uses to measure performance.

10. Asset Protection

Manufacturers and service providers are right to cringe at waste. Without asset protection, an entire lot can spoil, or fall out of compliance.

Refrigerated transport offers the boost to ROI companies are searching for. By protecting every asset, each component of manufacture or harvest is brought to full potential.

Companies don’t get paid unless they deliver.

The Best Refrigerated Services

Businesses that know the value of securing refrigerated services need to go one step further. It isn’t enough to understand the benefits and reasons.

It’s just as important to select a service partner that can deliver the full benefits of these services. Without experience, expertise, and dependable quality, companies will find their services fall short of reaching their goals.

1-800 Courier is the provider of choice. We help companies boost sales, and provide dependable support and service.

Companies can’t leave their refrigerated transport services to chance. There is too much at stake.

Contact 1-800 Courier today and discover more about how we can help you achieve your refrigerated transport goals.

Sainsbury Tests Same-Day Grocery Delivery in 30 Stores

We’ve seen Amazon pioneer successfully a wave of engagement into Same-Day Delivery of groceries with Amazon Fresh in the US.  From Seattle to New York, the service is in a variety of markets in the US, in addition to launching it in London.  Now same-day grocery is growing in London and BBC Radio talked with grocery chain leader Sainsbury about the service and where it’s headed.

BBC Radio in London has discussed how same-day grocery service is becoming more and more attractive for supermarkets.  Three out of the big four have become involved with implementing and testing online grocery delivery.  Tesco is testing the service in London and the South-East, Morrisons has partnered with Amazon Fresh and Sainsbury’s is piloting it in 30 stores. Grocery retailer Asda has not decided to jump into same-day groceries yet.

Sainsbury is currently testing same-day grocery delivery in 30 stores, and has its’ sites on expansion.  However, the grocery chain leader wants to work out all of the kinks before it does.  Right now with the stores that are offering same-day grocery service, a customer can place their order online by midday and have it delivered that evening.  The fee can be up to 9 pounds, which equates to a little over $11 US dollars.  Orders made by subscribers, or over 100 pounds, would be be free.

One of the primary hurdles for delivering groceries fast has always been costs.  It could be a challenge to generate a profit.  Same-day grocery delivery goes beyond the transportation element.  It entails the pick and packing costs, storage, employee, and other operational expenses specific to the business that could be involved.  Sainsbury mentioned that its’ focus was on giving its’ customers what they want, and relative to taking a loss to offer same-day grocery delivery, it would consider individual store costs on a whole scale.

The radio did a spotlight of a grocery store worker picking and packing an online order.  One part of the process discussed was the actual selecting of the fresh fruit and vegetable items that are ordered.  Although time is critical, the employee stated they had to make sure that the foods selected were ripe and fresh, even something themselves would pick.  With grocery delivery already with a small margin at start-up, choosing the wrong food items or selecting rotten fruit could result in re-delivery costs, as well as customer loss.

An actual delivery by Sainsbury was made that afternoon and BBC went along with them.  The Sainsbury store packed up 45 orders to deliver.  One customer delivered to when asked about same-day grocery service, said that he used it before and it was good. Upon delivery, when asked about the cost of it, the customer stated they paid 5 pounds and that it was fine.

Convenience is heavily trending right now and the retailer that can meet customer demand, will be the ones that thrive. A Same-Day Courier like 1-800 Courier can partner with grocery stores that are seeking to test and implement the service in the US.  The Los Angeles Courier has a national footprint and the delivery expertise to develop an optimal same-day grocery service solution that works.

Reference: 1.25.17, BBC News, Why same-day online food shopping is the next big thing