Courier Services - Buyers Guide

Courier Services - How to Choose

Choosing trustworthy courier services is something that is crucial to the proper functioning of a business dependent on timely and secure deliveries. Finding the right delivery service is not as hard as it might seem, although it is important to look for certain elements to ensure that you do not sign a service contract with a company with a less than stellar reputation.

Probably the first thing to look for when hiring a courier service is professionalism. If the agents manning their telephones are rude, harried or otherwise impolite, then you can expect similar service from their drivers. When you call a courier service the person on the other end of the line should be pleasant and eager to assist you.

Next, check to see whether the courier service’s delivery personnel are made to wear uniforms. Naturally, this point does not apply to either bike or motorcycle couriers, but it certainly does to car, ship, air and other forms of freight delivery personnel. When an employee is wearing a uniform they become a true representative of the company for which they work and usually offer a more professional service.

Find out for how long a company has been in business. There are a number of fly-by-night companies that come and go. Generally such companies offer spotty and untrustworthy service. A good rule of thumb is if a company has been around for at least three years and can list a decent clientele.

The other thing that should tip you off about a courier service is if they are offering rates far below what other companies are offering. If you think that gas costs a certain amount, then a car driver delivering packages must earn a minimum amount in order to survive. Delivery services with cut-throat rates are probably not going to offer you top quality service and probably will not have the kind of people you want handling your packages and sensitive documents in their employ.

If possible, before you settle on one courier service, try to get references for each company and find out what kind of reputation they have. You might encounter an excellent customer service when you call the office only to find out later on that the company’s drivers are unprofessional and lazy. If you are not able to get references then you can always call your better business bureau. The other thing you can do is to ask around. Many of your friends or colleagues will be able to point you in the right direction.

In the end, even if you might be tempted to simply open a directory and choose the first courier service to pop up, take at least a little time to vet the companies on your shortlist. Although it might seem like an unnecessary step, it is just a wise decision. After all, you would never stop a stranger on the street and entrust them with your precious packages and documents. If you do not take the time to research the courier company you hire first, that is essentially what you will be doing.

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We needed to outsource some pre-sales work to a telemarketing company and I dreaded the search process. I knew it could take days to find companies, and then repeat my basic needs to each and every one. Filling out your form and having them come to me was a huge time saver. I hired a company in a week and so far we've been very pleased with the results.

Stephen, Buyer
New York, USA