Safety cannot be compromised.  

It is of utmost priority when you are choosing a delivery service provider.  

Let’s imagine this scenario: You have shipped some glassware to one of your cousins living in Chicago. It is tightly wrapped in three layers and even tucked in a durable box.  

Irrespective of the numerous doubts and inquiries made regarding the safety aspect of the package, at some point, you chose to trust the provider. Yet, a week later, you are shaken up when you receive a message capturing the image of the broken glassware, stating that the gift is broken.  

The glassware has cracked itself from the top, and all you can think about is, ‘I made the wrong choice’. The realization of being extra picky while choosing the courier partner hits you hard when you have witnessed the worst-case scenario.  

More than value for money, choosing the right delivery service provider needs to assure you safety, security and sanity at the end of the day.  

Here are a few ways to help you pick the right courier service.  

1.    Credibility and reputation of the delivery service partner 

Trust cannot be magically handed over. 

It isn’t wrong if it must be vetted in the first place.  

When choosing the delivery service partner, there is nothing wrong in choosing to be speculative about their quality of services.  

This is because the credibility earned is quite different from the promissory words given by the delivery partners. Hence, it is better to listen to what the world has to say about them. 

 Some of the ways you can check for the reliability of the service provider are, 

• Read the online threads of Reddit and Quora to get real-time information on the customer experience with the courier partner. 
• Check in the comments of the social media platforms to spot any potential red flags like delay, and damaged goods.  
• Get feedback from your inner circle like friends, family members, and colleagues.  

Pro-Tip: Also, please ensure to check for how the delivery partner chooses to respond, which can guarantee the quality of the customer service. 

2.    Analyse the cost-effectiveness of the service 

It’s not about cheap price, but rather value for money is what matters. 

Many times, customers are misled by advertisements wherein they are provided with services of exceptional quality at cheaper prices.  

Often, such services entail a lot of hidden charges, with poor performance. Hence, it becomes crucial to keep looking for a trustworthy partner who genuinely attempts to provide a decent delivery service at affordable shipment rates.  

Accordingly, you need to check in with the delivery partners who can customize their services according to your diverse shipment needs.  

Pro-Tip: Instead of looking at well-established players, look out for regional service providers like Brown Post, who give you value-added services like doorstep pick up, packing assistance, discounts for students, and regular customers.  

3.    Speed of the delivery service 

It is not about service done at rocket speed; what matters is service delivered at promised timelines.  

Always question the different types of services provided by the delivery partners, their turnaround time, and their real-time tracking capabilities.  

Check the varying speeds corresponding to each service starting from the economic, standard and express ones.  

Pro-Tip: At Brown Post, you are likely to experience priority-based orders promised with next-day delivery and the standard delivery time ranges between 3 to 4 business days.  

4. Insurance coverage 

It’s a hard-to-resist fact: Life is going to throw many curve balls along the way.  

There is no guarantee that everything will go as planned. International shipments are no exception to this.  

No matter how tightly you have wrapped the packages, one cannot strongly affirm that they will not get damaged or even lost during transit.  

However, how far the courier partners are wary of the uncertainty and have a proactive system in place speaks of their service quality. Hence, it is necessary to have a run-in with them if they provide insurance coverage to compensate for the losses, at least financially.  

Before making a booking, quickly ask the following questions to make an informed decision,  

• What is the percentage of compensation? 
• Are they providing special coverage for items of high value? 
• How long does the claiming process take to complete? 

 Although buying insurance from your provider incurs additional charges, it is still a safety net worth considering the factors of uncertainty entailing a lot of risks.

5.    Customer support 

The way you treat someone speaks volumes about you.  

Customer support is one of the deal breakers for any delivery partner.  

Take a situation for instance: You have urgently booked a medical shipment comprising important medications for your loved ones settled abroad, and two days later, you find out that the package is still not delivered. You are dialing down the respective helpline numbers, and you are put on hold.  

It could be the worst nightmare for anyone to tackle such a situation. 

You need a service provider who responds promptly to queries, provides live tracking updates and takes accountability when things go wrong.  

It’s better to test the waters before making the big decision.  

So, take an enquiry call or drop them a message on WhatsApp to see if they respond in real time.  

Wrap Up 

Making the right choice matters.  

Especially when there is plenty of options laid in front of you, it becomes crucial to make an informed decision. The choice makes all the difference for you.  

From the steps, start your process of scrutinising the right delivery partner to make sure your packages are not only delivered on time but also ensure a hassle-free process.  

If you are new to the world of shipments, always make sure to hire a delivery partner such as Brown Post that takes end-to-end accountability of the process.  

Keep knocking on doors, and the right one will let you in for a stress-free shipment journey.