Courier Cost Cutting Feedback/Discussion thread

ArmitageShanks

although it would be nice to be a little more specific about times in general.

Not practical though.

Tim_Deegan

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

Not practical though.

Have you been away for a few days?
We have been through all this a few posts back.

ArmitageShanks

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

I wouldn't expect a parcel delivery company to phone each customer, but they must plan their route, and have a rough idea where the vehicle will be at any time. Otherwise they would have all sorts of problems with drivers going over their driving hours. As the large companies have all sorts of tracking technology, it wouldn't take a genius to link their tracking software to their route planner.

Every driver will have is rough root, but with collections being sent through in till around 2pm it's going to be rough at best. We're our drivers biggest collection but even still his times vary between 3.15-5.15pm. I think it's more a case of they have their area and they deliver what their given, if they're aren't going to get it done in the day they'll concentrate on the next day parcels and leave the 48hr ones till the following day.

For high volume, low cost, I can't see a system where they can be anything more than day specific.

DHL do have a @home service where they deliver up to 9.30pm and customers get the drivers number if they're not in so they can ring them to say when they'll be in etc. BUT it seems to be hardly used and most just go with the normal drivers, rather than the @home people who tend to have to use their own cars and get about 20p a parcel....diddly squat.

Tim_Deegan

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

times vary between 3.15-5.15pm.

So they probably could give a time of about 4.15 give or take an hour.

custardy

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

So they probably could give a time of about 4.15 give or take an hour.

no because things vary every day
if you give a specific time then people would be replying on it and you would get more problems

Tim_Deegan

custardy wrote: »

no because things vary every day
if you give a specific time then people would be replying on it and you would get more problems

It's quite simple, this is the e-mail that I send my customers:

Dispatch notification

We have dispatched your item(s) to you.
You should be receiving them some time on ####### morning or afternoon.
(delivery times may be subject to change depending on other deliveries).

You are delivery number: ##

Our Drivers name is Jamie, and his mobile number is ############

Please note: We use our own transport, and deliver many items in one run. Although we try our best to keep to delivery times, this is not always possible (one set of road works can have knock on effect, and delay our deliveries). If our driver is late, then please take it out on me, and not our driver.

My phone numbers are: 01### ###### or 07### ###### (if I don’t answer my mobile, then please leave a message, I will call back).


Thank you again!

Tim
B##### Beds

We also call them to give them an actual time, but explain that it could be give or take an hour or so depending on traffic.

ArmitageShanks

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

So they probably could give a time of about 4.15 give or take an hour.

Perhaps, but as we use an agent (ppw) it would probably be difficult, and anyway in till we're sending a full van load everyday I wouldn't expect that of them and especially of our driver.

Tim_Deegan

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

Perhaps, but as we use an agent (ppw) it would probably be difficult, and anyway in till we're sending a full van load everyday I wouldn't expect that of them and especially of our driver.

You may not expect it of them, but your customers would be over the moon if they would.

It's all about customer service, and sadly couriers don't seem to be very good at it.

custardy

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

It's quite simple, this is the e-mail that I send my customers:

Dispatch notification

We have dispatched your item(s) to you.
You should be receiving them some time on ####### morning or afternoon.
(delivery times may be subject to change depending on other deliveries).

You are delivery number: ##

Our Drivers name is Jamie, and his mobile number is ############

Please note: We use our own transport, and deliver many items in one run. Although we try our best to keep to delivery times, this is not always possible (one set of road works can have knock on effect, and delay our deliveries). If our driver is late, then please take it out on me, and not our driver.

My phone numbers are: 01### ###### or 07### ###### (if I don’t answer my mobile, then please leave a message, I will call back).


Thank you again!

Tim
B##### Beds

We also call them to give them an actual time, but explain that it could be give or take an hour or so depending on traffic.

thats great on a small scale,however what about collections,time sensitive items etc etc?
anyway your email says morning/afternoon?
mot really giving a time? least with for example RM special delivery its all done by 1pm/9am

Tim_Deegan

custardy wrote: »

thats great on a small scale,however what about collections,time sensitive items etc etc?
anyway your email says morning/afternoon?
mot really giving a time? least with for example RM special delivery its all done by 1pm/9am

That's because my e-mail is done manually. Many large couriers could afford a fully automated system that links to the route planner. It should be easier for the larger companies due to their vast experience. If they don't have an idea of how long delivery runs take by now, then they shouldn't be in the business.