Whether you’re a large retailer sending large quantities of packages across the country day in, day out, a small business trying to meet dispatch needs of consumers or an individual sending the one-off parcel, perhaps as a birthday gift, you will have experienced a problem.
Perhaps your chosen carrier or courier service couldn’t take your parcel when you wanted them to, perhaps it didn’t arrive on time, or reached its destination damaged in transit.
For any consignment to travel from Point A to Point B safely, securely and on time, courier companies are often faced with major hurdles to overcome. The phrase ‘expect the unexpected’ ought to have been penned primarily for the courier industry, as despite all the planning, processes and systems courier companies put into place, sometimes things just don’t work out.
We go behind the scenes of the courier and logistics industry to gain an insight into the everyday incidents and problems encountered when faced with transporting the freight of a nation.
Unclear locations, problematic access and inaccurate instructions
It may come as a surprise to an expecting recipient, but sometimes buildings are difficult to locate. Finding the right address can often be a challenge, as can accessibility to shared accommodation. Gated communities, homes with multiple occupancies, student dorms, senior living accommodation, etc can all pose significant delivery issues, and finding someone responsible or willing to take in parcels all adds to the frustration that courier drivers regularly face.
With student quarters, multiple living complexes, and addresses where the specific unit or apartment number is unclear, trying to find the intended recipient can be time-consuming or even impossible. Senders must provide as much information to couriers as they possibly can. Equally, recipients can make a courier’s life that little bit easier by perhaps putting names on doorbells or advising receptionists, security guards, family, neighbours if they’re likely to be out when a parcel arrives.
Identifying parcels
Hand in hand with unclear instructions, labelling is key to identifying and ensuring packages are sent to the correct destinations.
However, sometimes they can become lost in transit if not securely attached, making identification and delivery impossible.
Senders should make sure parcels are labelled properly with secure, sturdy packaging to eliminate the likelihood of loss or damage in transit.
Reputable courier companies are always more than happy to advise on suitable packaging methods.
Traffic, breakdowns and problems on the road
The main reason for courier companies becoming delayed and packages arriving late is traffic congestion. No matter how much time you may think a journey from A to B should take, there’s always many reasons for it taking longer. The sheer amount of traffic on roads and motorways can prohibit courier and logistics companies from being able to provide the service levels they’d hope to.
Naturally, courier companies, removal companies, freight forwarding businesses or any retailer which regularly transports goods lengthy distances should study road conditions in advance, listen to updated radio reports and factor in sufficient time to cope with inclement weather conditions, unexpected emergencies, diversions and detours.
Courier companies can implement systems and processes to help them manage delays efficiently. Advanced fleet management systems which incorporate live traffic information, satellite systems to advise of alternative routes and the experience gained in recognising regular traffic bottlenecks and congestion spots are all beneficial aids, but even the best companies have to accept that sometimes delays just cannot be avoided. You could go as far as to say they’re part and parcel of a driver’s day!
Courier companies can implement systems and processes to help them manage delays efficiently. Advanced fleet management systems which incorporate live traffic information, satellite systems to advise of alternative routes and the experience gained in recognising regular traffic bottlenecks and congestion spots are all beneficial aids, but even the best companies have to accept that sometimes delays just cannot be avoided. You could go as far as to say they’re part and parcel of a driver’s day!
Traffic congestion and frustrations involved with knowing deliveries are running behind schedule can cause immense stress to courier drivers. Reputationally, they realise how important it is to maintain excellent customer service levels. They’re also well aware of the knock on effects that late deliveries can cause. Customers choose couriers for their ability to deliver to a specified time frame as their consignments are generally time critical. For example, loads destined for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry demand urgent attention – drugs, medication, samples, tests and results, etc are vital for patient wellbeing.
Traffic congestion and frustrations involved with knowing deliveries are running behind schedule can cause immense stress to courier drivers. Reputationally, they realise how important it is to maintain excellent customer service levels. They’re also well aware of the knock on effects that late deliveries can cause. Customers choose couriers for their ability to deliver to a specified time frame as their consignments are generally time critical. For example, loads destined for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry demand urgent attention – drugs, medication, samples, tests and results, etc are vital for patient wellbeing.
However, the consequences of late deliveries affect all sectors of industry – penalty clauses may come into effect, manufacture may grind to a halt, there’s disruption to workloads, extra unexpected costs and employee stress and sickness levels to consider. It’s a situation couriers do their best to avoid.
Overcoming logistic issues with relevant solutions
Some of these challenges are inevitable, they’re faced by all businesses on the road today.
However, the majority of courier companies and the wider logistics industry do have processes in place to help deal with any problems in the most effective ways possible. Investing in reliable, modern vehicles and ensuring they are routinely serviced keeps breakdowns to a minimum, whilst technology to track delivery progress benefits both our drivers and customers.
Same Day Couriers Direct accept that life can never be all plain sailing. Efficient planning, up to date technology, sufficient staffing and the best systems and procedures will never totally eliminate all delivery issues. Problems are bound to occur, but with adopting a calm approach, using ingenuity and innovation to our advantage, our back up systems do help mitigate for time delays and resulting financial losses.
We consider our business to be an extension of our clients’ businesses. It’s a mutually collaborative role – advising clients of labelling techniques, packaging requirements for individual items, effective transit solutions and providing dedicated tailor made delivery solutions which are best suited to the needs of their industries.
We can’t promise to instantly resolve all the issues we encounter on our travels across both the UK and the European countries we serve, but we do guarantee a dedicated service complete with tracking systems designed to keep clients up to date with progress and revised delivery estimates when needed.
Same Day Couriers Direct keep the wheels of industry turning – Tel: 0333 772 1010