Taylor's Transportation Blog

If your company regularly ships out small items, you will probably want to hire a parcel delivery service, rather than using a large, nationwide trucking company for your delivery needs. Parcel delivery refers to small items that fit in a van or panel truck, and which are very lightweight, so they can be handled with a dolly rather than a forklift. This includes envelopes and correspondence that you don't want to simply drop in the post! To ensure you choose the best parcel delivery service for your company, note a few tips to keep in mind when comparing your options.

Note the condition of their vehicles

Try to find a picture of a delivery's services vehicles online, and note the overall condition of those vehicles and how they're maintained. Consider if they seem clean and new, with no rust showing and with tyres that are in good repair.

If you can't find online pictures, check out a vehicle when you arrange for a pickup for the first time with any company. Note the interior and exterior condition, as much as possible. Vehicles that are older and rundown are more likely to suffer a breakdown en route to a delivery location, or they may put the driver at a higher risk for a collision if the brakes or steering are not in good repair. Don't settle for a parcel delivery service with older and rundown vehicles, as delayed deliveries due to a breakdown or collision can be more costly for you in the long run.

Ask about bulk buying

Bulk buying refers to buying slots of delivery times from a parcel delivery service, and then using them as needed. This type of bulk buying can save you money over the cost of arranging every needed delivery individually. If you know you'll be sending out the same parcel repeatedly in the near future, this bulk buying can be the best and most affordable option for you.

Ask about banned or "no compensation" items

A reputable parcel delivery service will have insurance that reimburses you for any item that they break or lose while en route. However, most companies will also have a list of banned or "no compensation" items that they won't deliver or include on their insurance policy. Banned items may include firearms, narcotics and the like, whereas "no compensation" items might include antiques, fine jewellery, expensive furs and so on. No matter your items to be delivered, ask about these restrictions before making any delivery arrangements.