HOW TO

SHIPPING COMPANYCHOOSE THE RIGHT

Do they have a website?

We’re sure you’ll agree that in this day and age, it’s unusual to have a business and not have a web

presence. It’s important that the courier you choose to ship with have a full functioning website with

clear information on the services they offer, their rates, customer service and tracking. A company

with just a phone number and an email address is a complete no no.

They will be there for you when you need them most, they will have

a solution for you when you require it and every now and again they will do something that you never

expected – in a good way of course! But choose the wrong one and there is only one way that ship is

going to sail.

In our experience, more often than not, customers complain about various carrier-related issues, so

we decided we needed to put an end to this. With the power vested in us, we have put together a

short checklist to help you with the daunting task of selecting the most appropriate shipping

company:

Choosing a suitable shipping company for your business is like

choosing a life partner.

Will they answer my phone calls and/or emails?

While most reputable shipping companies deliver your package without you having to blink twice,

there are times things don’t quite go as planned - that’s when you need a customer service operator.

Nothing is more frustrating than staying on the line for 30 minutes, or waiting for days before your

email is answered, so make sure you choose a shipping company that offers a quick customer

service option. In our experience, customer service chat functions work the best!

Can I see where my package is at all times?

Honestly speaking, a shipping company must have a tracking option. You do not want to ship a

Christmas stocking and have it arrive in the New Year, with no idea as to what happened. Choose a

shipping company that can offer quick, clear and detailed shipment tracking information. This way,

you’re aware where your package is at all times in case you need to make other arrangements.

Do they have a suitable service for me?

Every business’s shipping requirements are different (time sensitive, biodegradable, etc.), so it is

critical that you choose a shipping company that can offer a service that is suitable to your needs. At

times, choosing a company that specialise in a particular kind of service can offer tremendous cost

benefits.

Will this cost me an arm and a leg?

Sometimes it all comes down to the rates a shipping company can offer, and rightly so! Different

shipping companies often charge different rates for the same package. This could be due to a

number of reasons, and you need to be aware of this. It is worth looking into third-party logistics

providers, for a quick rate comparison and in most cases, subsidised shipping rates.

What else should I look for?

Experience and the reputation of the shipping company

The different insurance schemes they offer

Pick up facilities

The delivery services offered i.e. next day, weekends, etc.

Well, we have covered most of the critical aspects to consider above, but it is worthlooking in to:

If you’re interested in engaging a 3PL to fulfill your shipments, go for a platform

that’s completely automated so you can save time while you cut costs. Check out

 eShipper. It’s a simple yet powerful cloud­based tool that allows you to streamline

your shipping process and compare rates and options from the most reputable

carriers worldwide, all in one place.