Decisions regarding shipping are among some of the most important ones you will make for your business. There are several ways things can go wrong when you need to ship your company’s products, no matter what your sales volume. Knowing how to avoid some of the most common and frustrating shipping hiccups will help you stay on top of any troubles that may arise while keeping your customers happy.
Choose the Right Shipping Option
There is never a one-size-fits-all option for shipping every item you carry. For example, when shipping perishable items, there are different forms you’ll need to fill out. Also, when you ship internationally, there might be more limited options available for specific carriers.
One of the most important considerations for retail buyers is the shipping cost. Many buyers ultimately choose one business over another that carries the same products because of faster shipping times. The speed at which you can ship the products is a consideration you’ll need to balance with how much cost gets passed on to your customers.
Get a New Shipping Company
When the delivery to your customer is mostly in the hands of others, you need to be sure that you can trust your shipping company of choice. Companies that repeatedly don’t deliver goods on time often can’t because of poor planning. If you find lousy planning is a problem, switching shipping choices is likely in order.
If your business has a mostly local base, there might be some benefit to using a courier service. Shipping services that employ couriers deliver smaller packages in most cases. For local delivery, you may also consider using a rideshare service that also does deliveries. These can often get your goods where you need them at a lower cost.
Insure Your Products
Getting insurance for all the products shipped to and from your business is always a wise idea. If the item has a high monetary value, insurance coverage should be considered essential. Most shipping options offer at least minimal coverage, and buying extra coverage for fragile items is always a good idea.
Pricing the shipping costs should always include the cost of insurance. Otherwise, you might have a surprise waiting at the shipping counter. Doing your homework first will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Shipping hiccups are inevitable but are relatively easy to overcome. Understanding your customers’ needs and what is required for you to meet them is crucial for your overall success.
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