Practical arrangements.
CHOOSING
Reliability matters more than the cheapest rate. A failed delivery costs you the goods, the delivery fee and the customer.
Ask other businesses in your area who they use.
WHAT TO AGREE
Coverage areas Rates, including for failed deliveries and returns Timescales How cash on delivery is handled and remitted What happens to damaged goods How you are notified of problems
RECORD KEEPING
Record the rider or courier and any tracking reference against every order.
When a customer says the parcel never arrived, that record is what resolves it.
PACKAGING
Adequate for the journey. Nigerian road conditions are harder on parcels than most.
Photograph fragile items as packed. It settles damage disputes.
CASH ON DELIVERY
Agree remittance terms explicitly. Money collected by a rider and not remitted is a real risk.
Reconcile regularly rather than trusting.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
A rider who knows your business handles it better than a different one each time.
