The parcel post system was established in 1878 by the Congress of the Universal Postal Union. In this system, packages would be sent via the postal service to post offices as opposed to our current courier delivery services. Once the package arrives at the post office, people can go pick their parcel up.
The parcel post system wasn’t as popular as the union initially, though. This was because rural residents had to travel miles to distant post offices to pick up their packages. Citizens became concerned for the welfare of the rural residents as they needed foodstuffs and dry goods that could only be sent by parcel post.
In October 1896, free delivery of mail to rural households came into effect. This meant rural households didn’t need to travel to receive their packages. This led to an increase in delivered packages containing items that weren’t available to farmers or rural citizens.
Since then, the shipping and delivery sector has grown immensely. The global courier service market is set to reach $326.32 billion by 2025. With this sector growing quickly, it’s important to take the time to vet courier delivery services.
Picking the right courier service can be tricky. So, keep reading to find out how to choose the best courier delivery service for your needs.
Ask for Referrals From Trusted Sources
If you’re in a field that requires a courier delivery service, odds are you know other business owners who use courier delivery companies. The first step you need to take when looking for a courier delivery company is to get referrals from reliable sources. Specifically sources that ship similar amounts of packages each month.
You can even talk to vendors or regular customers to see if they have any recommendations. Customer feedback is an important aspect as you’ll be able to pick a courier company they know and trust already.
Check Online Customer Reviews
Once you’ve gotten your referrals, you need to check the online reviews. While your source may have had a fantastic experience with the company, it’s possible that their good experience is the outlier.
Your potential courier company’s online reputation can give you a better picture of how they treat their customers in general.
What’s Their Pricing Like?
Once you’ve found a potential courier service whose reviews look promising, you need to check their prices before you look further. If their services aren’t in your budget, you’ll just be wasting your time if you continue to consider them.
Even if the current pricing seems like a good fit, you also need to find out how long their pricing agreement is valid. If the pricing changes shortly after you’ve signed up, it might not be an option anymore.
If you find that a large number of your clients would prefer a courier service that is out of your budget, you should consider changing your prices to accommodate their wants.
What Areas Do They Cover?
In the same way that pricing matters, so does location. The areas that they cover are one of the most important aspects you need to consider before going into the nitty gritty. If your potential courier delivery service doesn’t deliver in the areas you need packages to go to, then you’re wasting your time by looking at them.
Most shipping and delivery services will cover specific areas, with a few offering wider or international shipping. The size of the area they cover goes hand in hand with the pricing, so make sure that you pinpoint the areas you need to cover.
Do They Offer Overnight Delivery?
More and more consumers are expecting overnight or even same-day delivery for their packages. So when picking a courier delivery company, you need to find out if they offer overnight shipping and delivery.
Not only will overnight delivery help you stand out from your competition but time-sensitive deliveries or last-minute gifts can also be handled without issue. More customers will be willing to use your company if the courier service you use can quickly and reliably deliver their orders.
Do a Test Run
If you want to see how the courier service works, you can always consider shipping a trial package. This will be the best way to really experience how it will be to work with them.
By doing a test run, you can see everything your clients will be dealing with if you decide to use them. This includes shipping updates, customer support, and the delivery itself. This will show you in what condition your package will arrive at its destination and how the delivery drivers present themselves.
First impressions matter, and if your package arrives banged up or damaged, people will be less likely to order from you again, so by taking the time to investigate your potential courier service will be better for your business in the long run.
Pick the Right Courier Delivery for You
It’s important to ask the right questions when picking a courier delivery service. With all the courier delivery services available today, taking the time to vet potential services can save you not only time and money but also frustration. A local courier service will also help you cut down on shipping costs for overnight shipping!
If you need a fast and reliable delivery service, then 10-21 Sunrise is the delivery service for you. We offer same-day and overnight courier services for time-sensitive shipments and deliveries. Contact us to learn more about our local courier services in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.