More Courier Service Guidance…

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

One thing that I have learned over the years is that you need to educate yourself before making any business decisions. Choosing the right company for your courier service needs is no exception. As a Houston courier service provider, I unfortunately, run across so many other courier service providers that are inexperienced, unlicensed, uninsured and not prepared to provide the level of service that customers deserve. I run across them because my company has to fix what they have done incorrectly. So, I want to give some insight on how to avoid this disaster from happening to you.

Last week I listed 5 areas of importance regarding choosing a courier service provider. I decided to give a few basic questions that you can ask to determine if your potential courier service meets the 5 point checklist. As a reminder, the 5 point checklist includes: Customization, Reliability, Accessibility, Technology and Security. So, please feel free to use these questions when evaluating your potential courier service:

• What main service does the company specialize in?
• How long have they been in business?
• Do the delivery messengers wear uniforms?
• Are the delivery drivers insured?
• Were background checks performed on personnel handling packages?
• What type of package tracking do they provide?
• Is it convenient to work with them? Is their website user-friendly with online ordering, tracking and reporting?
• Will you receive detailed invoices that are easy to read and understand?
• Is the courier company OSHA certified?
• How large is the staff and what hours of the day are the phones answered?
• What is their On-Time delivery percentage?

These questions will give you an idea of how the courier service runs their business and how it will affect your business. Having a reputable company with an expertise in courier deliveries is crucial. Otherwise, your run the risk of having your extremely time-sensitive deliveries show up late, damaged or not at all.

And remember, whether you intend it to be or not, the courier company you choose to deliver your packages is the face of your company to some of your most important clients. Make sure you choose carefully.

Until Next Time,

Eric Donaldson

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Five Ways To Pick Your Courier Service

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Whether you are looking for a Houston Courier Service or a courier service anywhere throughout the US, the best way to begin is to know what you need to end up with. There are several areas that you need to consider and I have listed 5 of the most important ones below.

Customization

Courier services are skilled in delivering everything from legal documents to vital organs, so finding one that will fit your specific needs should not be too hard. Make sure the courier service that you are considering can customize a delivery solution that fits your needs. Each client is different and a courier service worth their salt can understand the big picture and create a plan that grows with you.

Reliability

This is a big one. Imagine working all night on a project only to have it delivered to your client late because the courier service did not show up on time. This happens all of the time with inexperienced courier companies. Before you trust them with your important packages, get references, ask for their on-time delivery percentages and find out how long they have been in business. These are all a good indicator of reliability. Now, don’t get me wrong – sometimes things happen that can’t be controlled (traffic back-ups, accidents, weather, etc…), but on-time delivery percentages should be over 90% or you need to keep looking.

Accessibility

You need people to answer the phone and give you up to date information on your packages. That might sound like a simple request but you would be surprised how many of the Houston courier service companies simply don’t staff that area of their business. I guess they hope that you will place your order and never need any help. Be sure that your courier service of choice has a large staff, normal operating hours and online tracking for package status. These are a must and any good courier service will have it.

Technology

This area can save you and your company many headaches when used properly. Make sure that you can place and track your courier orders online. In fact, this is one of the largest priorities at Hot Shot Delivery. We are constantly working with our technology partners to ensure we offer our Houston courier customers the latest in delivery technology. We have a one-click ordering feature on our website that will let you submit delivery orders in seconds, print delivery tickets & labels on the fly, track courier orders in real time and run various cost reports specific to your preference for any date range.

Security

It’s important to know that the company you trust with your important packages is doing its job when it comes to security. Background checks on drivers and personnel that represent their company should always be a requirement. Also, make sure your potential courier service operates with licenses, are compliant with occupational safety & health guidelines and have current insurance.

Notice we didn’t talk about cost. Because we all know that you get what you pay for. Be sure to pick a courier service based on benefits and then weigh the cost after you have narrowed down your options.

Most of the time, the great providers who you can rely on are not much more than the shady providers with no technology or real experience. So, do your homework.

Are there some other areas that are important to you? I’d love to learn more about what is important to courier service customers.

Until Next Time,

Eric Donaldson

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