Nothing is quite as frustrating as deliveries that don’t arrive when they should, or worse still, ones that never make it to their intended destination. It’s not too bad when it’s something as small as a Christmas card, but how do you make sure that valuables or critical documents get where they should, when they should? Well, whether you’re sending private or business items, read on.
Choose the right guys for the job
The first thing should be very obvious indeed – and that’s picking the right courier for the job. Wherever you are in the world, there will be some delivery companies notorious for not living up to their end of the bargain. Avoid them at all costs, even if they’re cheap. The only real way you’re going to be able to sift through all of them to find the right one is by seeing what other people have said online. It should become apparent pretty quickly which companies are going to get the job done, and which might let you down. Reputable companies like Parcel2Go display their feedback on their own site.
Pick the right product
Once you know who to trust with your delivery, you need to choose the right product. When sending something valuable, whether for business or just to a friend or family member, it’s essential that you at least get proof of postage. With this, you’re generally in line for at least some compensation if something goes wrong. However, it’s far better to choose a product that tracks your delivery every step of the way, so that you know exactly what’s going on at all stages. One step better is ensuring that you’ve got insurance on the item – that will really give you peace of mind.
Note that there are also special products if you’re a business sending something that must be kept confidential. Insurance is all very well and good, but if the information shouldn’t be viewed by anyone, it’s little consolation. Pick your product wisely.
Pack with care
As a final word – don’t forget your packaging! Even the best couriers aren’t necessarily going to be able to ensure your vintage glass vase doesn’t get bashed – especially if you don’t make them aware. Take precautions by packing things as robustly as possible, and clearly mark fragile items. There’s a good video here to show you how best to pack fragile packages. Confidential documents must be sealed very well so that you can see if they’ve been tampered with.
Hazel Owens says
I like your tip to get the correct courier for the job. Like you said, there are plenty of cheap couriers out there, but they might not have the best track record. Looking them up online and seeing what other people have to say about them can help you choose a reputable service, so you can know your packages are in safe hands. Thanks for the article.