Many businesses hire small courier services for delivery needs and then become comfortable with it over time. Once this bond is established it's difficult to break since companies like to maintain consistency with business relationships. Sometimes, however, comfortable relationships can prevent a company from making the most efficient decisions. Here are 3 common misconceptions businesses have of small courier services.
1. Pricing Misconceptions
One of the most misleading myths about small carriers is that if they offer low shipping rates, it means they are unable to match the quality of service demonstrated by bigger players. However, business decision-makers often overlook price and performance comparison and are likely to believe their current carrier offers the best shipping rates. It's typical, however, for large carriers to charge for additional services. You may not realize they add fees for signatures and special deliveries, whereas smaller couriers can gain a competitive edge by not charging these fees.
Another pricing misconception is that whatever FedEx charges is the best possible rate, even though customers may end up paying more in the long run. To many people FedEx and UPS are such established brands that they've become synonymous with same-day delivery services and don't realize how many competing smaller courier services there are.
2. Guaranteed Delivery and Package Insurance
Many companies choose to remain with their current carrier partly due to locked-in contracts and the perception that only larger carriers offer guaranteed delivery and package insurance. However, many small couriers also provide these features, as it's just a matter of doing the research. Smaller companies look for ways to meet customer needs not being met by bigger players, and one way to achieve this goal is through streamlined delivery. Competing for faster delivery time is possible for small players who may be more flexible with routing options.
Packing insurance can be customized with add-on services to allow for delivery confirmation. A sender, for example, can purchase insurance for a package up to a certain limit. If the package is lost or damaged, the insurance pays the amount within the limit, such as $5,000. To be on the safe side, make sure your delivery service carries General Liability and packing insurance.
3. Time Involved with Switching Services
Businesses commonly hang on to contracts with established partners since it's perceived as the path of least resistance. Searching for new vendors can be a tedious and long process, whereas keeping the same ones allows businesses to focus more on day-to-day operations rather than future planning. At the same time, a company can be missing out on long-term savings by not researching delivery options thoroughly.
However, switching services to a superior courier service isn't really that complex or time-consuming. Some smaller delivery companies avoid contracts and offer a pay-as-you-go service. Not all couriers require credit checks that slow down opening new accounts.
Seeing through common courier myths can help you find the right carrier in your region with a successful track record. Instead of assuming small courier services provide less, look into how they can speed up your deliveries at a lower cost and give you peace of mind. Located in Southern California, we're your custom courier & mail delivery service experts for all your
mail and delivery needs in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, and Orange County.
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