Practical arrangements.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE COMMITTING
Rates to your common destinations Whether they collect from you Cut-off times for same-day dispatch Tracking Liability for loss or damage The claims process
THE LIABILITY QUESTION
Ask what they pay for a lost parcel.
Frequently far less than the value of the goods.
Know that before shipping anything valuable.
RATES
Negotiable at volume. Ask.
Published rates are frequently not the best available.
WHAT TO RECORD
Which courier, which tracking number, against which order.
Without that record, a lost parcel cannot be pursued.
QUALITY VARIES
Between companies, and between branches of the same company.
Test your actual route, not the company's reputation generally.
WHEN TO CHANGE
When the problem rate becomes unacceptable.
Track it rather than relying on impression.
WHAT TO KEEP
A second option, so one courier's failure does not stop you.
