COVID-19 has seemingly accelerated the growth of the online business methodology and shopping experience. During the hard lockdown, when so many people were confined by law to their own immediate environments and homes, it became essential that they were still able to receive essential goods which they could not simply go out and purchase in the shops. To receive these goods, they relied on courier and delivery services, which filled a gap then and seem to be growing in numbers even now.
Online purchasing is more convenient and cost-effective
It has become the norm in many countries to place orders online from a wide range of virtual shopfronts, and have their purchases delivered by courier within a day or two of order. It’s a great way of getting what you want at the best price since buying online allows you to compare prices easily without the need to shop around physically. In South Africa now, with the almost constant petrol-price hikes, it is becoming the most economical way of buying and selling. And as far as delivery goes, this can all be handled by a national or local delivery or courier service. Even if you are purchasing from a town which is less than forty kilometers away from your own location, it is probably less costly to have it couriered or delivered to you than physically driving out to collect the item.
Businesses and buyers really benefit from courier services
Apart from the fact that it is an economical choice to make, a courier will allow you to spend your time more profitably or pleasantly than sitting behind the wheel of your vehicle in heavy traffic. For business owners, this is an absolute bonus in terms of man-hours spent more constructively, and for the private individual, it is a convenience which is almost addictive. If you have a reliable courier who delivers on time with no problems and is reasonably priced, you are on to a winning solution. But the caveat is that you MUST be able to rely on your courier to deliver timeously and without damaging the goods in transit. It is pointless employing the services of a cheaper courier service which has no backing guarantee and having them deliver your product to you in packaging which has obviously not been treated well during transit, which probably means damaged contents. More delicate items, if not securely packed, are very easily broken during rough handling, which is extremely annoying, time-wasting and financially wasteful.
National or local courier service? It’s a question of convenience
There are so many national courier chains available which can deliver door-to-door, door-to-shop, or shop-to-shop, to suit your own schedule and convenience. The only real problem that I have experienced with couriers who deliver direct to your home is that they cannot always give you an exact time when they will be delivering or collecting the parcel, and if a signature is required for the package, there is an immediate problem if you are not at home at the time they arrive for drop-off or collection. This often means re-scheduling times which could be up to three or four days later, when they are next in your area. If you are lucky, you will be given an approximate time of arrival, but it still means sitting and waiting on site. It is therefore extremely important to find the right courier for your needs. If you do not wish to use the national chains – as they can be quite expensive – be sure that the courier you choose has a good track record and has been in business for some time. Some courier services deliver in a very limited or localized area, which is perfectly fine if you don’t need long-distance collection or deliveries, and they will more than likely come in at prices which are extremely competitive, thereby keeping your overall costs down. What is more, if you are a local business delivering only within your immediate area on a repeat basis, your courier will become familiar with your regular customers and your routines, which makes it easier all round for everyone. There is a lot to be said for being on friendly terms with your regular courier/delivery driver! For more articles and information, see Uptasker’s listings on this subject.
