There is a multitude of situations when a courier could save you or your business’s day!
You could be representing a large business chain or have a small e-commerce operation. Whatever your business entails, sometimes you need to get things sent promptly and safely. This is where professional courier companies can step in and get your goods delivered on time.
The Canada couriers that pop up in your search engine results might have done some good internet marketing. But how do you know you’ll get the service you deserve?
Here we’ll run you through some things to look for in high quality and reliable business couriers in Canada.
Clear Service Level Options
A professional courier service worth its salt will provide you with multiple service levels that are clearly laid out for you to choose from.
If their different service levels look overcomplicated and come with loads of clauses, it might be best to avoid that particular courier. As well, if the courier doesn’t advertise any service levels, you might end up buying into a service that makes false promises.
When a courier business offers you plenty of service options but tells you their rules in a straight-talking manner, then you know where you stand.
A good example is if they have an “Immediate” service level, which would need to be called in by 5 pm, say, and it could be delivered within or on the hour. Then there should be others, like same-day options, overnight deliveries, and so on.
Family Run Enterprises
If you go with a family-run enterprise, it’s not just their business’ reputation at stake, but their family name, too. Many family-run enterprises tend to keep to their word and go the extra mile to retain a good reputation.
Plus, you’re likely to get a more personalized and friendly response from a family-run courier.
And family-owned businesses can have more say on things like holding price increases, for example. It’s obviously important to be competitive given these challenging economic times.
Excellent Customer Service
Whether or not the courier you are checking out is a family business, their customer service must cater to your business needs. They should be in the mindset where, if they make your life easier and convenient, they will succeed.
Furthermore, if there are issues during the delivery process, they should be easy to contact and have all the info you require. Highly responsive customer service is paramount for a good courier service.
Competitive Prices
Searching for the cheapest courier business might not always be the best option. If they are incredibly cheap, they might be cutting corners somewhere.
Yet, you should do your homework and compare courier service prices in your region. Then look at the other key factors, such as customer service, to make your final decision.
Research Courier Companies Reviews
Reviews are one of the best sources of information to gauge how professional and reliable a courier company really is.
A courier firm can sing all their praises on their website, including favorable testimonials. But checking out independent reviews of a company will give you a more realistic picture of how that company conducts its business.
Do They Pay Their Staff Fairly?
You might be thinking, what does it matter if they are paying staff minimal rates?
If Canadian couriers are willing to undercut their staff, it’s questionable how much care they’ll have for your business needs, too. It would seem that a company like this is more profit-orientated than interested in providing a good service.
Underpaid staff can be resentful and not in line with the company’s ethos – and why should they? When a courier firm pays its staff fairly, you can expect most of their staff to perform their duties to a high level. Their staff will be more committed.
And even if it costs you just a little more for their services, you know your package will be in safe and competent hands.
Professional Team
A professional courier team will be fully insured and licensed in Canada to carry out their duties. Their workers should be skilled and effective in delivering packages at all value levels.
If you want to transport precious merchandise, which could also be fragile, you need to trust your courier.
It will also help if team members are dressed appropriately and are polite when dealing with you.
They Are Fast!
Of course, one of the well-known stereotypes of couriers is that they deliver packages with haste!
This is something you need to research, and independent reviews might reveal how fast a company really is at getting a package to its desired destination.
Also, a professional courier service won’t promise the world to you. They’ll give you realistic estimated times depending on daily factors that can change delivery timeframes.
They Utilize Technology
A sign of professional and capable couriers for business is if they use technology to give you as much info as possible throughout the process.
For example, providing you with a dedicated app to track your delivery via GPS is very appealing. Also, have multiple ways of contacting them is reassuring.
They Know The Region Well
Some courier services have a high turnover rate of drivers. This could be partly because they underpay the drivers, and also the company could be demanding too much from them.
So we reiterate that a courier that pays their staff well, looks after them, and gives them realistic targets will retain staff for longer. Also, a family firm is more likely to have long-term team members on their books.
And when staff remains longer at a firm, they gain tons of experience and learn the region they work in like the back of their hand. So, they’ll know when it’s busy on certain roads and where all the shortcuts are – meaning your package has more chance of being delivered on time.
The Final Delivery
So there you have it; our ten things you should know about courier companies in Canada. But the same info applies globally for regional courier services.
If you are looking for highly professional courier companies across the national capital region in Canada, please contact us.