5 Advantages of Automation in Logistics

In today’s ever-expanding Digital Era, we’re relying on technology more than ever. Businesses in all industries have started to take advantage of automated processes on every level. When it comes to shipping an logistics, there’s no exception. 

If your business relies on shipping merchandise across the country, you’re in luck. You’ve come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below are the top five advantages of automation in the world of logistics and distribution. 

After all, making the most of these technological developments are in your best interest. You want to do everything you can to stay ahead of competitors in your niche market. 

Consider the following statistic regarding the logistics industry throughout the United States. Already in the year 2019, it’s generated $3 billion in revenue. In other words, this vast industry has a lot of ins and outs to navigate if you want to stay on top. 

1. The Efficiency of Automation Enhances Your Business’s Customer Service

When you invest in automated solutions for your business’s logistics, your customers will be grateful. The truth is, they have busy schedules and expect the delivery of their purchases to be efficient and secure. They want to feel as though your value their time and energy. 

That’s why automated logistics processes can be so beneficial for your company. By using these efficient services, you’ll establish your business as a reliable one when it comes to shipping.

In fact, if your delivery service takes too long in the eyes of customers, the consequences can be severe. These days, it’s too easy for customers to post online reviews about businesses they have experience with. These reviews can paint the business in either a positive or negative light. 

If you want to establish – and maintain – a reputation as a reliable business, you won’t take this lightly. After all, even experts recognize that customer service expectations are rising throughout the country.

Consider your investment in automated logistics as an investment in your company’s consumer loyalty. That loyalty to your brand, in the long run, is an invaluable asset. Then, they’ll be more likely to recommend your services to their friends and family members. 

2. Don’t Underestimate the Financial Advantages of Automation

Another great advantage of automation is an obvious one. You’ll save a ton of time and, therefore, money. 

For one thing, relying on paper communication is too outdated and expensive. Save the environment by digitally operating your business’s shipping and distribution, instead. 

In addition, automation simply makes business operations faster than they were in the past. That means you’ll be saving your business plenty of time on a regular basis. Since time is money, your business will experience an increase in productivity as a result. 

3. It’s Simple: Saving Time Increases Productivity

Speaking of an increase in productivity, don’t underestimate the vast difference you’ll notice with proper automation of your logistics processes. Even your employees will notice the difference with an updated solution to shipping.

After all, your employees deserve to be recognized for all of their hard work. If automated processes make their working lives easier, they’ll be grateful. Happy employees, by the way, are more productive employees. 

Plus, using the top automation means you’ll be free to worry about other responsibilities on your plate. That additional focus will allow you to strategize other areas of your business to increase profits on every level. In other words, automated logistics systems increase overall productivity in a variety of ways. 

4. Use Analytic Data To Optimize Your Operational Strategies

One of the best things about automated solutions, though, is the availability of analytical data. When you use software solutions for any part of your business, this will remain to be true. 

This is of particular usefulness, though, concerning your business’s logistics and shipping. Over time, the analytic component of automated logistics software will gather a ton of data. Then, you can evaluate that data and make more strategic decisions about the future of your business. 

For example, you can determine what products are not as popular amongst your consumer base. Perhaps, even, you can see what times of the year your business is more successful. No matter how you use that analytic data, the logistics software solution will be worth your investment. 

5. You Can Rely on Automated Proof of Delivery

The last thing to consider when it comes to automated logistics is the fact that you’ll always receive proof of delivery. Gone are the days when only priority shipments provide this feature in the form of a paper slip. Instead, your business will profit from knowing your customers are receiving their goods with electronic notifications. 

For more detailed specifics, check out this article on the benefits of electronic proof of delivery. Now, you can feel more confident that every single one of your customers is receiving the item that he or she ordered. 

Continue Investing in Your Business’s Logistics and Distribution

After reading this article, you should feel more comfortable about automating your business’s logistics processes. There are plenty of notable advantages of automation in this industry. It’s up to you, though, to make the most of these technological advancements available. 

After all, as a responsible business owner, your top priority is your company’s bottom line. You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing your business is optimizing its investments. This is true, in particular, when it comes to its investments in operational resources. 

That’s one reason it’s so crucial to only work with the best logistics services on the market. You don’t want to rely on a courier service that isn’t dependable, do you?

Well, that’s where we can come into play. We prioritize shipping merchandise for our clients in an efficient, reliable manner. 

For that reason, we encourage you to browse through the rest of our website to see how our experienced courier service can benefit your business and its shipping needs.

To start, check out more information about the courier and logistics services we offer on our website today. Then, keep investing in your business and its financial future with reliable shipping strategies. 

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8 Vital Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Same Day Express Courier Service

When you have a parcel that needs to get on its destination on the same business day, find a proper courier that can do its job. You likely rely on them to meet this specific transaction or even your entire business.

An express courier company needs to have the right business model to make it work. If you’re going to work with an express courier service, you need to make sure they can do it. You need to have peace of mind before giving them your business.

In this guide, we’ll give you 8 questions you need to ask from your same-day courier. What can you ask that will help you find the right couriers?

1. Are Your Drivers Reliable?

The first question you ask about is the reliability of their drivers. There’s nothing as important as having your package and documents coming in safe and on time. There are a few things you need to look at to see if they have the right drivers.

Good signs an express courier company cares for drivers are uniforms and vehicles. A uniformed courier is a sign of professional work and care. You want your couriers with drivers who care, with good customer service.

It’s crucial that their drivers have full insurance in case any mishap happens. If a company assures you that they perform full background checks on all drivers, you’re good to go.

2. How Do They Do Same-Day Delivery?

For an express courier service, the most important question to ask is the delivery method. If a company promises same-day delivery, you need to ask them how they do it. This is to make sure that they are doing a reliable job of moving your packages.

How do they do it?

Some companies will have drones on standby to carry their parcel. As there is a growing drone delivery market, some customers would prefer for this to happen.

Some couriers will have smaller hubs or express drivers that will be on standby to do it too. Depending on the size of the package, you want to know the nitty-gritty. This is to make sure everything comes on time.

3. What Tech Do They Use?

Technology for logistics companies is growing as we speak. Many of these allow them to do fast deliveries, which in turn will save you much time. You need to ask them what tech they have that make placing, managing, and tracking orders easy?

When you pick an express courier company, there are some vital things you need to find out.

  • Can you place an order online or by phone? 
  • Do they provide real-time estimated time of arrival? 
  • Do they send confirmation emails or SMS?
  • Do they have proof of delivery?

These questions should help you determine how they do their job.

4. Do You Pick Up Parcel?

A courier’s ability to pick up parcel can be business-defining work for you. The right same day courier should be able to offer immediate pickup service.

Depending on the size of your package and time of the request, you want them to be fast and urgent. They need to have both a set pickup schedule for regular packages and emergency pickup too. 

5. What’s Your Industry Experience? 

A vital piece of info you want with private couriers is their experience. You want to hire someone with industry experience dealing with situations like yours. This is a great thing to ask for small businesses who sell less or handle their own fulfillment.

You want your express courier company to have the experience to manage, handle, and fulfill your orders. You want to understand if they can handle irregular package flows and changes in demand too. This can be great for businesses like eCommerce providers who have fluctuations in their deliveries.

Ask your courier what fulfillment processes that they have in place. The best provider for you will have the ability to deal with operations that have the same needs as you. This will lead to less disruption in their method of operation and fewer adjustments on their side too.

6. What Are Your Package Restrictions?

When it comes to couriers, you would want to ask them about package contents. Check with them what type of rules they have with packages they handle and if there are any restrictions. If you sell products that have delivery restrictions like batteries and perishables, you need to know.

Some couriers will not support a few items for delivery. Some will have stricter rules and needs when handling the same packages. Some will have no issues with these products as long as it offers no legal repercussions.

Ask if they can handle their product. Check as well if they have ways to make sure that the product is snug and secure during its trip.

7. What is Your Maximum Weight Restriction?

An express courier company will specialize in speed of delivery. You will find, however, that some companies have a maximum weight that they allow per package. As you are a growing business, capacity constraints can be problematic.

You want a fulfillment partner that can scale as you grow. Understand how they move packages so you’d know if they can help you with the capacity you need.

8. What Are Your Actual Prices?

At the end of the day, you’re a business. Nobody wants a sticker shock if you’re trying to make a profit. Look for an express courier company that can give you good value for money service.

Your courier should provide upfront pricing so you know if you’ll take their service. This includes any and all possible service options that you will do with them. They should not have any hidden fees or surcharge that can impact your bottom line.

Choose The Right Express Courier Service For You

When choosing an express courier service, you want to ask the right questions for your peace of mind. Experience, reliability and strong service-oriented business model can help give you the edge you need.

If you’re looking for an express courier that can give you superior fulfillment services, you need experts with experience. 

Need It Now Delivers.

We provide a strong advantage when it comes to deliveries. Talk to us now.

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Don’t Check in Your Bags! The Advantages of Shipping Luggage Internationally

Planning to travel abroad, be it for business or pleasure? You will probably need to take some clothes and other personal belongings with you. This means you need to think about the best way to get your luggage to your destination country.

Should you check in your luggage at the airport or have it shipped ahead of you?

There are many benefits to shipping luggage internationally instead of checking it in. Here are a few you should know about.

Avoid the Hassle of Clearing with Customs

Do you like to travel light? Given the chance, who wouldn’t like that?

When you let an international courier service ship your luggage, that’s exactly what you get – the opportunity to travel with a minimum load.

The disadvantage of checking in your bags is that you will have to clear customs when you reach your destination country. This may take time as you wait for your baggage at the baggage belt before proceeding to get customs clearance.

The process can get quite cumbersome if you are connecting flights and have to have your bags checked at every country in your itinerary.

When you opt to have your luggage shipped overseas, you can avoid potential delays when clearing with customs. This way, you will only need to present your passport and ticket as you walk through the checkout lot.

Your long-awaited time abroad will start with a hassle-free experience.

Gain Some Control over the Unexpected Events

No matter how well you plan, you just can’t anticipate everything and international travel is no exception.

If you are traveling abroad by air, for example, and bad weather is expected on your travel date, your flight can be delayed or even canceled. This means you will have to wait until you are booked on the next available flight.

If you have heavy baggage with you when this happens, you may end up being stuck at the airport until the situation has been resolved.

If you arrange to have your luggage shipped ahead, you will have the freedom to move around the airport or even run a few errands before it’s time for your rescheduled flight. No need to worry about leaving your baggage unattended.

This way, you will be in full control of your trip.

Ensure the Safety of Your Luggage

Aside from your own safety, the safety of your luggage is also of utter importance when you are traveling to another country. However, you can’t always be sure that your prestigious briefcase or suitcase will be handled with the utmost care.

Why not let the pros put your mind at ease?

No doubt, most airlines have efficient systems for handling passenger luggage.

However, because they prioritize passenger safety over anything else, thus they may not give your luggage the exacting level of handling and care desired. This explains why cases of lost or missing bags at the airport aren’t uncommon.

Plus, fragile items such as those made of glass may get damaged while in transit.

Although most airlines will compensate you for lost items, the process of filing a complaint can be quite cumbersome and time-consuming.

If you’re traveling abroad for a vacation, this may mean that you may not wear that swimming costume that you bought after all.

With international luggage delivery services, you can rest assured that your luggage will be placed in the safest hands possible.

Plus, you will be sure that your luggage will be waiting for you upon arrival at your destination country. This is essential to ensure everything goes on well during the time you will be spending overseas.

Get Around the Destination Country with Ease

Traveling abroad for the first time?

Even if you are armed with a detailed map of the place you will be staying, you can never rule out the chances of getting lost, especially if nobody will be receiving you at the destination country.

Now imagine arriving at the destination country with lots of luggage to carry. Who will keep an eye on your bags as you queue up at the taxi stand to get a cab? You may easily lose your luggage in an airport buzzing with activity. What’s more, you will surely get exhausted.

The easy way out is to ship your luggage ahead of you.

Although this may come at a small fee, you can’t compare it to the risk of completely losing your luggage. A luggage shipping service will identify the exact physical address that your luggage is supposed to be sent.

So, once you land, you will have an easy time getting to your destination. You won’t have to get worried about losing your luggage through the hefty airport commotion while looking for a ride.

Save Money

Did you know that shipping luggage ahead of you can be a more economical option than checking it in?

Depending on the distance involved, international travel can be quite costly and heavy bags can escalate the costs.

This is because most airlines charge higher prices for the privilege of checking bags that exceed a certain weight.

In this regard, shipping your bags may prove to be a cheaper option than checking in the bags.

Shipping Luggage Internationally Is a Viable Option for You

From the above discussion, it is obvious that shipping luggage internationally offers a number of great advantages over checking the luggage. These advantages include potential cost savings, convenience, luggage safety, better control over unexpected events, and many more. Ultimately, the final decision is yours to make.

If you are ready to have your luggage shipped ahead of you, call tel:2129891919 or get a quick quote today!

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Weighing Your Costs: The Delivery Cost Comparison Guide

Globally, annual online consumer shopping will reach $4.8 trillion by the year 2021. In just a few years, analysts forecast that e-commerce will be the largest retail shopping channel on the planet.

Today, people aren’t only spending more time shopping online – they’re spending more during each session. Resultantly, businesses are competing fiercely to attract their share of the estimated 1.92 billion people who will shop online in 2019.

Studies show that 85% of all shoppers browse online reviews when trying to make a buying decision. Of those, 77% go on to make a purchase.

The delivery cost is one part of the shopping experience that consumers write about frequently. Even if you offer free shipping, excessive costs to deliver goods can eat away your profits.

Because of this, business owners must do a carrier cost comparison to understand shipping rates for different packages. This way, they can save money while carving out their share of the $4.8 trillion online shopping pie.

Why Delivery Cost Matters

Unchecked shipping costs can become expensive. Still, there are times when consumers need goods right away. This can range from last minute gifts to parts needed to repair a vital household appliance.

The three major United States shippers – USPS, UPS and FedEx – offer similar services. These are the main shippers for same-day, overnight and today delivery. Still, packaging guidelines and pricing vary somewhat.

Same-day delivery service bodes well with consumers. It can create a seemingly seamless shopping experience. As more consumers come to expect same-day shipping, retailers will be compelled to deliver.

When it comes to attracting and retaining buyers, it’s all about consumer convenience. Same-day shipping has emerged as a way to make shopping more convenient and closer to an in-store experience.

Now, with the click of a mouse, consumers can have goods arrive at their doorstep anywhere from a few hours to a few days. For retailers, the trick is to keep shipping costs under 7% to 8% of consumers’ total shopping cart total.

Cost of Delivery By USPS

For guaranteed overnight delivery, the United States Postal Service offers Priority Mail Express. The service is available seven days a week.

Priority Mail Express is the cheapest option for shipping flat, lightweight goods. USPS offers the service for $24.70. You can ship anything that fits in the Mail Express envelope to anywhere in the U.S.

The USPS also ships packages overnight. For example, a:

  • 1-pound shipment costs $39.40
  • 5-pound shipment costs $63.20
  • 10-pound shipment costs $93.15
  • 50-pound shipment costs $288.45

The United States Postal Service is the most cost-effective choice for shipping items that weigh less than a pound.

For a long time, reliability was a big issue for the government-run service. Relatively recently, however, they have redeemed themselves as a dependable carrier by delivering parcels more consistently.

One advantage of using USPS is that they provide free boxes. You can even have shipping boxes delivered to your business.

Delivery Pricing for FedEx

FedEx offers First Overnight for next morning delivery. FedEx Priority Overnight, however, is available for next day delivery before 10:30 a.m. or in the same afternoon for rural areas. The carrier also offers FedEx Standard Overnight for delivery to rural areas between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and private residences before 8:00 p.m. the next day.

Starting at $46.30, you can ship overnight packages using FedEx Standard Overnight. FedEx First Overnight comes with a heftier price tag, starting at $81.69.

FedEx next day package shipping rates are higher than USPS. Comparing similar packages, a:

  • 1-pound shipment costs $81.11 to $123.05
  • 5-pound shipment costs $102.99 to $141.08
  • 10-pound shipment costs $141.83 to $175.05
  • 50-pound shipment costs $390.12 to $429.71

However, there is a relatively new caveat with FedEx shipping.

You want to avoid getting charged with a “Ground Unauthorized Package” fee. Starting September 03, 2018, FedEx rolled out new fees for oversized shipments along with additional handling surcharges. The new penalty is a hefty $675 fine.

FedEx laid out several criteria for Ground Unauthorized Packages. These include packages that are:

  • A combined length, width and depth of 165 inches
  • More than 108 inches long
  • Weigh more than 150 pounds

If FedEx pinpoints one of your shipments as a Ground Unauthorized Package, they may refuse or return it. In other words, adding insult to injury, they will charge you the fee and refuse to accept your shipment.

UPS Delivery Options

When you need to move items in a hurry, UPS offers Next Day Air for $46.58. You can use the service to ship items that weigh less than 8 ounces. The next tier of service, UPS Day Air Early costs $80.98.

UPS overnight package options are similar compared to FedEx for lighter packages but are less for shipping more substantial items. For example, a:

  • 1-pound shipment costs $81.47 to $122.52
  • 5-pound shipment costs $103.47 to $140.63
  • 10-pound shipment costs $142.45 to $174.77
  • 50-pound shipment costs $208.42 to $240.80

If you’re not careful, however, you can also face fines if you don’t choose your shipping options carefully.

Starting June 2018, UPS rolled out a penalty system that’s similar to the FedEx Ground Unauthorized Package fine. The UPS version, however, is less punitive.

UPS will penalize shippers if weekly charge corrections total more than $5. The Audit Fee is $1 per package correction or 6% of the total amount of corrections, whichever is higher. Accordingly, you’ll want to double check every shipment to make sure that your items comply with UPS guidelines.

Putting It All in Perspective

It’s important to note that overnight shipping services guarantee that your goods will arrive when indicated. In reality, however, a 100% success rate is impossible. What the guarantee means that if the carrier cannot fulfill their promise, you’ll receive a refund for the shipping fee.

As more consumers shop online, delivery cost will become more critical for retailers. It’s essential to keep shipping costs down for the benefit of both consumers and your business.

If you have questions about shipping best practices and optimization, contact us today to speak with a friendly representative. Ask about our free app that you can use to arrange same-day and next-day shipping across the United States.

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How to Get Quotes from a National Air Courier Service

In January of this year, over 2.2 million revenue tons of air cargo moved across the United States. Air cargo is used most often when time is of the essence. 

Because this form of shipping tends to be more expensive and more complicated, you need to know how the process works. You have more options than merely quoting with a well known national air courier.

We’ve created a guide to help you get the best rate for your next air freight shipment. Let’s get started! 

Preparing Your Shipment 

Before you can start getting quotes, you need to have your shipment packaged and ready. Freight carriers will want your shipment to be on a pallet. This allows them to easily move the shipment to and from the truck and plane. 

Pallet Hangover 

Place your items on the pallet. Walk around the pallet and make sure no part of your items hang over the edge of the pallet. If it does, fix it. 

The carrier will not accept your shipment if you do not do this. These overhangs will get damaged when they load multiple pallets next to each other. 

Secure the Items 

If you have an oddly shaped item, strap it down to the pallet using ratchet straps. If you have stacked your pallet with boxes, you can use plastic wrap to secure everything. Though we still suggest you use straps here too. 

Remember, you need to secure it so that any rough movement won’t affect it. If you think it might be good enough, make it more secure.  

Measure the Dimensions

Measure from the highest point of the item to the bottom of the pallet. Then measure the width and length of the pallet. This should give you the total dimensions of the entire shipment. 

If you have multiple pallets of the same thing, you will want to account for each one. 

Weight 

Do not guess on this. If your guess is too low the carrier will find out and charge you more. If your guess is too high, you are overpaying for your shipment. 

Don’t forget to add the weight of the pallet into your total. Wood pallets can weigh anywhere from 30 to 70 pounds depending on their size and the type of wood used. Plastic pallets can weigh 15 to 30 pounds. 

The easiest way to know for sure is to weigh the finished packaged shipment. Most of us don’t have a scale that big though. You can ask the manufacturer for the finished production weight of the item. Of you can weigh one box and multiply it by how many boxes are on the pallet. 

Find Your MNFC Number 

Now that you have your dimensions and weight you can calculate the density of your shipment. The density will tell you what freight class your shipment belongs in. This is how carriers charge for shipments. 

If this sounds like too much math, there is good news. You can use an online calculator to determine your freight class for you. What is great about these calculators is that they will give you an analysis of your shipment. 

You may find that if you slightly adjust the height or weight, you can get your item into a different freight class. 

Get Quotes 

You can start shopping around for air freight quotes now. You need to decide who you want to get quotes from. 

National Carrier 

These are the large national carriers with shipping lanes across the major distribution channels in the United States. Typically they are going to give you the best rate as long as you stay within their channels. 

Independent Carriers 

These are the smaller carriers that tend to specialize in a particular region. If you are looking to ship there, this is a great way to go. Because they specialize in an area, their resources are more focused. 

They can beat out the national carrier on rates for their geographic coverage area. Hiring this type of air freight service is ideal because they know the area and have extensive experience in air freight deliveries. 

Freight Broker 

Air freight is a bit more complicated than truck freight. You will need to arrange transportation for your shipment from your facility to the airport, then the flight, then transportation from the destination airport to the final destination. 

You can do this yourself through a courier service. Look for a shipping service that specializes in your area to the best rates. 

The other option is to hire a freight broker to do all of the work for you. The benefit is that you don’t have to do anything and you can take advantage of their pre-negotiated rates. The downside you are limited to only working with the carriers that the broker has relationships with. 

What You Need to Quote 

To get an accurate quote for your shipment, there is a list of information you will need to provide. 

  • Package width 
  • Package height 
  • Package length 
  • Weight
  • Distance from the origin airport 
  • Distance from the destination airport 
  • Type of service you want 
  • If you want insurance 

Getting insurance may seem like an unnecessary waste of money. It isn’t if anything happens to your shipment during transport; the insurance will cover it. That way you are not out the value of the item you shipped. 

Bill of Lading 

You will know you have successfully completed your shipment quote and booking when the carrier sends you a BOL. This is a vital piece of paperwork that outlines the critical details of your shipment. 

The driver will not pick up your shipment without this paper. 

Quote and Book with a National Air Courier

You are now ready to ship with a national air courier. When you ship air freight you need to make sure you package your pallet so it can withstand a lot of jostling and bumping. 

Remember your shipment is going from the truck to the cargo hold and back to a truck. That is a lot of moving around. 

Have the accurate information for your shipment so you can get the best rates. Then choose the carrier you feel most comfortable with. 

Get a quote today and let us help you get your shipment moving by air freight. 

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Sameday Courier vs Standard Mail: Which is Better for Business?

Are you having a hard time deciding between sameday courier services and standard mail services?

Courier services are an important part of modern day life nowadays. Everyone from those in the food industry to small local businesses uses courier services to boost the convenience they provide for their respective customers. People have taken such a liking to it that it’s made couriers a staple in any kind of business.

This led to the normalization of courier services though. In an effort to break the mold, businesses have come up with different kinds of courier services to give their customers different options. This then led to the most favored type of shipping, same day delivery services.

The question now is, should you opt for that kind of service do you stick with standard courier services? Read what’s below to know which service is what you need for your business:

1. Delivery Time

First off, let’s knock out the most important aspect of deliveries, the time it takes for your package to get to you. This is the most important part of delivery because it’s a testament to the credit courier services deserve to have.

The standard mail service can vary in this part. Depending on certain factors like the size of your item and its weight, it can take them around 2-3 days to get a package delivered to you. The time it takes it to get to you can get reduced if the package is lighter and smaller.

Same-day delivery services, as they’re named after, can get your package to you on the same day you order it. Of course, there are some limitations to this, such as the distance from the nearest fulfillment center to your house and such. For the most part though, services won’t offer you this option if they cannot deliver on their word.

They may even offer specific times so the customer knows when to expect their arrivals. A useful feature for customers who like plotting their schedules ahead of time.

2. Quality of Service

Standardized delivery services don’t have much to make their quality of services stand out. For the most part, they do the job they’re paid to do, they take your package and get it to you in whatever way they see fit.

It’s also worth noting they get more than thousands of packages to deliver every day. This means there’s no room for special treatment for your items. You can expect them to be less than gentle with the way they handle your package.

Couriers providing express services have a higher standard of service quality. This is because there’s a lot of information about it before you can opt for this service. For example, some services allow you to view the information on your designated courier.

This makes it so you can hold them accountable for any damage made while your item is en route. It reflects on their record when something goes amiss, so you can expect great care for your package.

3. Security

Express services are not perfect for their security leaves much to desire. Many people choose these services on a regular basis. Focusing that on a small area, that means a lot of packages for one courier.

This can lead to some complications like mismatched packages and such. Also, the pressure of making the marked time may get to an individual, leading to instances where they skip certain addresses to keep up with their timelines.

Though that’s not to say they don’t have some unique ways to cope with what they lack. For example, some ask for the signature of the receiver before surrendering the item. They also need you to leave a letter of authority to the receiver if you’re not there when they deliver your item.

Standard services have it better in this case. Their timetable allows their couriers to be more relaxed. This makes it so they can check everything off before handing over the package.

Problems occur when an item becomes lost in circulation. This happens more often than not because of the sheer number of orders they have to handle. If your item has a lot of value staked on it, it may not be a good idea to opt for the standard option.

4. Variety of Options

Mail services may offer different options when you want them to deliver something, but they often don’t follow through. They won’t come in the specified time, they may contact you out of the blue to tell you they can’t deliver to your location, or they leave your packages to complete strangers,

When it comes to express couriers though, you get what you ask for and more. For instance, they will never fail to keep track of your package. They will even give you the ability to track where your package is at the current moment.

Also, they give you options like last mile delivery services and warehousing services. In short, they have services to fit your needs whatever they may be. They always follow through, too.

This is because most of the time, they’re an independent service provider. This means they only have their reputation at stake when they make deliveries. One bad customer review can affect how others view their reliability.

5. Pricing

The great thing about standard mail services is they have a fixed rate for packages. It all depends on your item’s weight for the most part. Some include the distance of the destination when they’re estimating a price.

Often, their prices are more affordable than you expect. You also don’t need to worry about an unexpected surge. This is because they always post a notice if prices are to change any time soon.

Same day services though have a price associated with their services. This makes sense because of the convenience they provide their customers.

Know Whether to Choose a Sameday Courier or Standard Services Today

Sameday courier services have an edge over standard services in a lot of ways. What you end up choosing should still reflect how important your package is though. Evaluate your item and make a choice now!

Looking for a great courier service? Need It Now Courier is the choice for you! Contact Need It Now Courier and have your package delivered to you in the way you want.

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LTL and FTL Ship Strategies to Make the Most of Your Money

About 71% of freight ends up getting moved on trucks. This is the most cost-effective way to get large shipments across the country. 

When looking to book your freight shipment, it can be easy to fall into what you are comfortable and familiar with. The freight process is complicated enough with many moving parts, why purposefully add more? 

This complacency can be costing you money. If you aren’t fully utilizing your LTL and FTL ship strategies, then it is time to reevaluate your shipping methods. 

Start using these strategies to optimize your shipping methods and make the most of your budget. 

Choosing FTL Shipping 

As a rule of thumb, full truckload shipping is more expensive than the less than truckload. But if you have a lot of product to move, this is the ideal choice. You can load up to 40,000 pounds on a single truck. 

This method tends to be faster. This is because there is no need to move the freight between trucks to get it to its final destination. 

You also get more security with this method of shipping. Again, because your shipment is put on the truck and then not taken off until it arrives at the destination. There is no risk of loss, theft, or accidental misplacement on the wrong truck. 

Choosing LTL Shipping 

This is the ideal shipping method for small freight shipments. It is cheaper than FTL because the carrier is combining your shipment with many other shipments to fill a single truck. 

The price you pay for the lower cost comes with longer shipping times. This type of shipping gives businesses more flexibility though. 

National carriers that offer LTL shipping tend to have extensive networks of shipping lanes. This gives businesses many solutions for getting their shipments to anywhere in the country. 

Are You Using These LTL and FTL Ship Strategies?

When it comes to quoting your freight shipment, you could be wasting more money than you realize. Use these strategies to help you choose the right method for your shipping needs. 

Know Your Dimensions and Class 

One of the biggest mistakes shippers make is estimating their dimensions and weight. Get these wrong, and you end up using the wrong NMFC class for your shipping quote. 

This can result in a difference in price that is hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Carriers depend on the information you give them to plan out which shipments will go on which truck for transport. 

If the carrier has to reweigh or rework a truckload, this will be costly for them. The carrier will turn around and pass this cost off on to you by readjusting your freight class. 

It is the shipper’s responsibility to report the correct information for their shipment. 

Choosing Between LTL and FTL 

One to three pallets will generally be cheaper when you choose LTL over full truckload. When you start having five to six pallets, it will become more affordable to choose full truckload. 

Of course, this greatly depends on the size and weight of your pallets. 

Consider Your Origin and Destination 

When a carrier dedicates an entire truck to your shipment, they are losing that truck in their rotation. This can result in lost profit for the carrier. 

Because of this, the carrier will charge you extra if the truck has to drive out of the carrier’s standard shipping lanes. When looking for a carrier, you will want to find one that regularly ships to your origin and destination locations. 

Choosing Between LTL and FTL 

If you can ship your load by LTL, you may get a price break on shipping to a more remote location. The carrier will hold your shipment until they have enough loads to fill the truck, then take all of the shipments to the remote area. 

This lowers the cost for the shippers and makes the trip worth it for the carrier. 

If you need to ship by full truckload, try looking on load boards. You may find a shipper that is already scheduled to your remote origin location. You can score a discount by booking the truck’s return trip. 

Get Creative with Your Options 

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to how you arrange your shipment. You may find that using multiple carriers and shipping solutions will get you the best price. 

For example, you can combine multiple shipments to create a full truckload and send it to the carrier’s terminal for the region. You save by combining shipments and having convenient locations for the carrier. 

Then arrange for a final mile service to take your individual shipments the final leg of their journey. These services have more focused efforts and trucks available in a smaller geographic area. This means they can give you a better price for the local shipments than the national carrier. 

Doing this will get the shipment to the customer faster also. Instead of everyone waiting for one truck to make many stops, multiple trucks will deliver at the same time. 

Start Saving Money on Your Freight

Choosing the right LTL and FTL ship strategies is all about knowing your options. Be sure to measure and weigh your shipment correctly so that you can get accurate quoting. 

Get quotes for both LTL and full truckload. Get creative with your shipments to create a solution that both works for your needs and is budget friendly. 

Get a quote for your final mile and other shipping needs today. 

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From the Pony Express to Same Day Delivery Service: A Brief History of Package Delivery Options In the U.S.

Pull your face out of the window and back to the screen. Two-day shipping means two days, not two minutes.

To keep these kids now-a-daze from thinking anything they type anything into an Amazon search bar will show up at their house within 48 hours, we present a brief history of package delivery.

From humble beginnings on horseback, to a $1 trillion industry, mail service has always rooted itself in one main principle: all mail is created actual.

The History of Package Delivery – A Timeline

Egypt, 2400 BC – Pharaohs sent runners or couriers to disperse their decrees throughout their territory, organizing the first courier service in history.

Early Colonial Times – Native Americans, slaves, and merchants carry messages throughout the colonies.

Boston, 1639 – Mail service is established in a tavern by the General Court of Massachusetts. The tavern acts as a repository for international mail.

New York, 1673 – Francis Lovelace, the governor of New York, establishes a monthly postal delivery service between New York and Boston. Couriers ride on horseback along part of current day U.S. Route 1.

Pennsylvania, 1683 – Governor William Penn opens the state’s first Post Office.

1692 – Thomas Neale organizes a postal delivery system that expands to the central colonies with the help of a grant from the British Crown.

1707 – The British government takes control of the postal system and appoints John Hamilton as Postmaster General.

1774 – William Goddard comes up with the idea of a Constitutional Post for mail delivery service within the colonies. 

Philadelphia, United Colonies, July 26, 1775 – The Second Continental Congress officially establishes the role of Postmaster General.

He 1. definitely has to be a guy, 2. got a 1,000 salary, a secretary and Comptroller, and 3. was in charge of designing delivery routes between Falmouth, New England and Savannah, Georgia.

Benjamin Franklin serves as Postmaster General for the first 15 months. Once the constitution officially declares our country the United States of America, Franklin appoints Samuel Osgood to the position. 

The President of the United States remains responsible for appointing Postmaster General as part of their Cabinet for the next 196 years.

Congress, 1781 – Congress assumes control over “establishing and regulating post offices … throughout all the United States,” (Article IX).

1785 – Stagecoaches begin transporting mail. The Continental Congress attempts to grown and support stagecoach lines by favoring this more expensive and less fitting form of mail transportation. 

1792 – Several laws known as the Private Express Statues restrict package delivery by parties other than the Postal Service, establishing a monopoly over the industry. 

1799 – Package delivery options are by number of sheets and distance. For instance, it costs a quarter to send one sheet more than 500 miles.

Washington, D.C., 1800 – As the new house of the government, the Post Office relocates by two horse-drawn wagons from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

1803 – The Louisiana Purchase expands United States territory and package delivery service routes. 

1811 – Rowboats are replaces with steamboats for faster package delivery than ever. 

1822 – Package delivery from Washington, D.C., to Nashville takes only 11 days.

1823 – Post roads expand by more than 25,000 miles in less than a decade. Waterways are declared official post roads.

Honesdale, Pennsylvania, August, 1829 – The Stourbridge Lion chugs along the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company Road, foreshadowing the used of train for package delivery.

1831 – 76% of civilians in the federal workforce are postal employees.

November 30, 1832 – The Post Office Department allows stagecoach contractors to transport mail via the railroad. 

New Salem, Illinois, May 7, 1833 – Abraham Lincoln is appointed Postmaster General.

1845 – Rates are now based on weight and distance. In an effort to save money, some people cross-wrote letters. This means they filled a page from left to right, then turned the paper from portrait to landscape and continue writing over the first half of the letter.

This is also the year that Congress lowered the rate of advertisements and other circulars in the mail. This was an attempt to recoup some lost revenue that now went to private package delivery companies. 

California, January 24, 1848 – The Gold Rush sends some 300,000 Americans to California, expanding the need for mail service to the west coast. 

1849 – The number of letters sent throughout the United States via U.S. mail increases by 37.5 million over the past six years.

California, 1852 – Wells Fargo opens 12 offices to provide national package delivery service. They claim to specialize in shipping gold dust and bullion, and their package delivery options welcome packages and parcels of all kinds. 

1855 – Rates change again. Package delivery now costs three cents for half an ounce to travel up to 3,000 miles. 

April 3, 1860 – The Pony Express is established.

New York, July 1, 1861 – The Pony Express promises your letters will get to San Francisco in only 10 days. $1 for letters weighing half an ounce or less and a dollar more for every additional half ounce or fraction of an ounce. 

October 26, 1861 – The Pony Express is dismantled due to the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line.

March 3, 1863 – 12 Statute 704 sets delivery service costs to be based on weight alone and establishes mail classes. 

  • First Class Mail – Mostly letters
  • Second Class Mail – Periodicals and other regular publications
  • Third Class Mail – Package delivery and anything else that could be mailed

Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10, 1869 – The central and Union pacific railroads join, transforming the model of package delivery across the country.

Congress, June 8, 1872 – The Post Office Department becomes an executive department.

Long Island, New York, 1911 – The Post Office Department conducts an experimental mail flight.

January 1, 1913 – Parcel Post, a service accommodating package delivery for parcels over four pounds. 

Congress, 1916 – Air mail service budget of $50,000 is approved. 

August 1, 1931 – Weight limit accommodated by Parcel Post grows to 70 pounds. 

1971 – The U.S. Post Office Department becomes U.S.P.S. The President is no longer responsible for appointing Postmaster General.

1987 – Need It Now Courier’s Air Freight package delivery service is established.

2013 – Walmart provides same day delivery on packages from their stores. Jeff Bezos announced the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for a rapid package delivery option. 

2014 – U.S.P.S. ships Amazon orders with same day delivery to 15 cities. 

February 1, 2015 – The first female Postmaster General, Megan J. Brennan, is appointed by the Governors of the USPS.

Present Day Package Delivery

Congrats on being born in the modern era, where services like same day delivery and package tracking features actually exist. 

Need It Now Deliveries operates 24/7, delivering packages to the U.S. and Canada the very same day. Take your business and shipping needs to the next level with superior national and international shipping on all your big ticket orders.

Ship now for world class package delivery your customers will love. 

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To Insure or Not to Insure: What Is Shipping Insurance? Everything You Need to Know

As the holidays grow smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror behind you, you may begin to reflect on how well everything went. And maybe how well some of those things didn’t. For instance, maybe some of the packages you had shipped to friends and family around the world arrived damaged and broken.

That would get anybody’s blood boiling. But it’s not that hard to imagine and almost forgive. After all, an estimated 2.5 billion Christmas packages were expected to be shipped in 2018. That’s a high volume of packages that could lead to some maltreatment of some shipments. 

And Christmas presents are the only shipments suffering fates like this during the holidays. Even businesses are feeling the strain of the volume increase and seeing their own shipments become damaged and broken before making it to the buyer.

But what can be done? Where can you turn? The answer may lie with shipping insurance. Keep reading to find out what is shipping insurance and how can it help save you some heartache next holiday season.

What is Shipping Insurance?

Shipping insurance is much like any other insurance policy. It offers to cover your shipment and protect you from incurring any major losses as a result of a damaged parcel.

Not all companies offer the same insurance policies but there are a few key things and basic coverages you should be aware of before purchasing any shipping insurance.

You Might Not Need Additional Insurance

Before you even start looking over policy options check first to see if additional insurance is even necessary. Both FedEx and UPS automatically insure packages that are worth less than $100.00. However, the U.S. Postal Service only does this for express carrier mail that is worth less than $100.00.

What this means is that the courier will only cover your shipment for up to $100.00 worth of the contents’ value.

However, if the items you are shipping are worth more than $100.00 and you don’t get it insured you’ll only be covered for no more than $100. Be sure to declare how much the contents of your package is and purchase the extra insurance if you want the full amount over $100 covered.

Read the Fine Print

When deciding which shipping insurance policy to purchase be sure to read all the fine print throughout the policy. There are certain things, events, scenarios, and situations for which the insurance policy will not cover.

For example, shipping your package to certain international locations could cause a denial of coverage.

This would mean if your package was damaged at the courier facility, you can file a claim and get reimbursement. However, if that same package doesn’t become damaged until it’s in a location that the courier does not offer coverage to, you are responsible for the cost of the item.

Be sure to read over each of the insurance policies you consider and understand where, when, why, and how they will cover something. The same also goes for when they will not cover something.

Packing Requirements

This goes along with reading the fine print, however, it deserves its own section due to the magnitude and scope of this problem. And yes, it is a problem. More damage insurance claims are denied due to improper packing than anything else.

Here are a few reasons why packing a package can be difficult and cause problems later on if done improperly:

  • The government has established proper packing and shipping regulations
  • Those change every year
  • Each courier also has their own packing and shipping regulations and requirements.
  • Those also change every year.
  • The average consumer is very confused.

And for good reason. The problem though is that the regulations and requirements have to change every year due to changes in consumer behavior and shipping trends.

What this means though is that you need to pay attention to how your courier and the federal government want your package wrapped and shipped. Failing to comply with these requirements could see a denial of an insurance claim should the improperly packed parcel become damaged.

These requirements can be found on the courier’s website as well as the U.S. postal service website.

Filing a Claim

Speaking of having problems when it comes to filing a claim let’s take a quick look at what filing a claim looks like.

Remember to keep all those things in mind from earlier, pay attention to fine print, make sure your package is packed properly, and make sure you’ve purchased the correct policy for your package.

Now that all that is done and out of the way, what do you do if you’re package is actually damaged?

Again, each courier will have their own claims departments and policies, but a few general things to remember and be aware of when filing a claim:

  • Start your claim the moment you discover your package was broken, lost, or stolen.
  • Most couriers have a cut-off date of the longest you can wait before filing a claim.
  • Have all the right documentation filled out correctly.
  • Take photos of the damages or have photos taken and sent to you.
  • Be prepared to wait.

The last one is the hardest one for some people. Once you’ve filed your claim and submitted all your paperwork the claim must be reviewed by claim managers who will decide to cover or not. That process can take a while as well as the amount of time before receiving any actual money.

Be patient and cross all your ‘t’s and dot all your ‘i’s.

To Insure or Not to Insure

That is the question hopefully you’ve found an answer to. Along with the answer to what is shipping insurance? Remember to always read the fine print, purchase the right policy for your needs, make sure you’re not already covered, and file as soon as you are made aware of any theft, loss, or damages to your package.

If you have any questions about shipping insurance or finding the right courier services for you, contact us today!

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Who’s The Real Star Of A Stellar Online Customer Experience?

We all know that shopping online has taken over the way companies do business. But what you may not know is that shipping options can make or break the deal for the majority of buyers. 

About 85% of Amazon users won’t buy a product because of the shipping charges. Then 60% of Prime users won’t buy your product if the shipping is too slow. 

How do your delivery options stack up? You are probably missing out on a lot of sales because your delivery options aren’t what shoppers are looking for. 

Let’s go over the delivery options that you have available to you. 

Tracking 

First things first, no matter what shipping options you offer your buyers, you must provide tracking. Your customers want to know when their order ships and when they can expect it. 

In fact, they are more likely to be happy with a longer shipping time as long as they know when the delivery will happen. By offering them an online portal to track their shipment you give them a higher level of communication and build trust.

Rush or Expedited Shipping 

Amazon has proven that some customers want their items fast. In fact, there is a whole community of Prime members who pay a yearly fee just to have two-day shipping on all of their orders. 

Sephora has followed suit and they offer a yearly membership of $15 to get their FLASH shipping. That’s free 2-day shipping on all orders. 

The advantage for you is that these customers are more likely to order more product because they know they have free shipping. 

One Off Rush Shipping 

You don’t have to offer a membership to offer rush shipping. This will be a more most expensive shipping option, but your customers will expect that. 

This option is about service and speed, not price. 

Low-Cost Shipping 

You need to provide a low cost or free shipping option. This will cover all of your customers who don’t want to pay for shipping. 

Now this means that you need to cover the shipping cost yourself. You could build the cost of shipping into the price of the product. This isn’t always possible though. 

Your other option is to reduce your shipping costs. One way to do this is to work with a shipping service that provides warehousing. 

You would then hire them to store and ship your inventory. This does two things for your business. First, it reduces your shipping costs by streamlining the process. It also reduces costs by allowing you to leverage the shipper’s volume for lower rates. 

The second thing it will do is place your product closer to your future customers.

Think about it this way, if your company is in Florida, but most of your customers are in New Jersey, then they have to wait for their order to go from Florida to New Jersey every time they order. 

Instead, have your company in Florida, but warehouse your inventory in New Jersey or nearby. Then when a customer orders it only travels a short distance, getting to your customer faster. 

In-Store Pickup

Another popular option is in store pickup. Walmart and Target have been leaders in this type of shipping service. It works well for your business because you already have the logistics infrastructure in place to support it. 

It can also streamline your inventory management since the product may not even need to be shipped. It may already be located in the store. 

There is also the added benefit of getting your customers in the store. This increases the likelihood of buying more once in the store. 

For those who do business online and in brick and mortar locations, this is an option that should be embraced. About 60% of shoppers aged 15 to 49 would be happy to have and want to use this service. 

Shipping Large Items 

If you are in the business of shipping large items then carrier or parcel shipping isn’t for you. In this case, you can provide your customers with the highest level of customer service by arranging shipping for them. 

If you work with a broker you ensure that they get full service at the best price. Your customers may not know that they will have to pay extra for last mile and in-home delivery. 

You can get the best rates for both of these by leveraging your broker’s shipping volume. This also takes all of the headaches and work out of the buying process.

Your customers will appreciate the prompt on-time delivery. This type of service is what will separate your business from your competitors. 

Delivery Options for Your Business 

You don’t need to give buyers all of the delivery options that are out there. You just need to offer a couple of different options. This will allow you to cater to the needs of a wide range of shoppers. 

You want to have one low-cost option. This will cover those who don’t care how long the shipment takes, they want the lowest cost possible. 

Then you want a mid-grade option, people who are willing to pay a little bit to get their item slightly faster than the cheapest option. Many buyers will choose this option because it seems like a better option. 

Finally, you want a fast shipping option. This is for those who want their item RIGHT NOW. These shoppers are willing to spend extra money to make sure they get their item as fast as possible. 

With these options, you are sure to have something to satisfy the biggest amount of people. 

Contact us today and let us help you formulate your shipping strategies. 

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