01753 776000There are pages and pages of results when you search for couriers on search engines. Some couriers are small and some are large, but they all promise to deliver your items on time and without going over budget. With everyone saying the same thing, how do you know which to choose? By having a few questions of your own to ask, you’ll find it easier to find the right courier for your business.
Choosing a Courier? Ask These Questions...
- How Responsive Are You to Customer Needs?
- Do You Accept Bespoke Requests?
- Do You Have AEO Status?
- What Delivery Options and Other Services are Available?
- What Sort of Costs Can I Expect?
- What Makes You Different?
- Do You Have Case Studies?
1. How Responsive Are You to Customer Needs?
A good place to start is with their approach to customer service. Every business will say that they’re willing to go the extra mile for their customers but that might not always be true. You don’t want a courier that just sees you as another client, especially if you’ll be working with them a lot in the future.
You want a shipping partner that will take the time to get to know your business, its needs and the goals you hope to achieve. They should be on hand to offer expert guidance, even if it means suggesting a service that makes them less money.
2. Do You Accept Bespoke Requests?
There are always going to be some occasions when you need your courier to provide a bespoke service or a last-minute request. It might be something that’s a little difficult logistically or it could be that you need a delivery to arrive at the exact right time.
Either way, you want a courier that’s going to offer solutions to your specific problems, rather than one that’s inflexible and unwilling to help. You should be able to approach the courier with a specific request and then they’ll go away and find the answer.
3. What Accreditations Do You Have?
It’s not essential for couriers to have accreditations and they can work without having been awarded one, but having them shows that they meet a high standard when it comes to the services they offer.
ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AEO status all signify that you’re working with a courier that provides an outstanding level of service.
For example, if a courier has been awarded AEO status, then it shows their supply chain and network of delivery partners are stable and secure. Additionally, ISO indicates that the courier has tried and audited systems in place to ensure a quality service.
4. What Delivery Options and Other Services are Available?
International express and UK overnight are just two of the main services a courier should be able to provide, but you’ll probably need to utilise many of the other options they have available at some point or another. Consider the different services they have in place to see if they can cope with your requirements.
Some couriers will offer a wide range of services that go beyond just courier. For example, Crossflight also provide storage and fulfilment - something you perhaps wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere.
We can also, on request, arrange for your goods to be professionally packed.
5. What Sort of Costs Can I Expect?
Don’t wait until you’ve committed to a courier to talk about money. When talking to prospective couriers, have some example deliveries in mind for them to quote. You’ll be able to compare each of them to see what you’re getting for your money. You should expect transparency from the beginning and not have to worry about unexpected add-ons or additional costs because of an oversized item.
Avoid the temptation of just going with the cheapest. You want to make sure every single delivery is fast, efficient and secure. The least expensive option might not be able to deliver services to this high standard and the options you have might be very limited.
6. What Makes You Different?
There are countless options available for your business to choose from. If you aren’t impressed, it’s easy to just move on to another. Because of this, couriers really have to stand out from the crowd and go the extra mile to win clients.
Think about what you’re investing in, especially a courier’s customer service. Many possible partners will offer similar things, but not all of them will offer the same outstanding customer service to make sure every single one of your deliveries is professionally managed from start to finish.
Ask them about their previous experience and any challenges they’ve overcome. Have they worked with large clients or do they offer any unique services that others don’t?
7. Do You Have Case Studies?
Ask to see case studies and testimonials from any courier you’re thinking of working with. It’s a good opportunity to see what they’ve been like to work with in the past and how happy their previous clients have been.
Get in touch with a company that’s worked with the courier and ask them a few questions too. You can never do enough research when it comes to choosing a courier partner to work with.
Make Sure You Don’t Miss Anything With Our Checklist
We’ve over 30 years’ experience working as a distribution management specialist, providing international and domestic courier services. We know all the questions you’ll have when choosing a courier which is why we’ve put together a checklist for you to use. It’ll make sure nothing slips through the cracks and you’re 100 percent pleased with the decision you make.
Download the free checklist now using the link below.
