http://www.unishippers.comOvernight delivery can be a source of stress, aggravation and headaches for the owner of a small business. In addition to the cost of shipping a package, there are also questions of dependability, accuracy and efficiency that must be considered. When your business depends on getting its packages delivered on time, it is important to know what options are available and what services will best fit your needs. The number of overnight carriers in operation today makes the decision a little overwhelming.
One effective solution for the small business owner is a shipping reseller. Shipping resellers negotiate large volumes of shipping services at bulk rates and then sell the services to their customers at a discount. Many resellers offer personalized services, which include door-to-door pick-up and delivery and package tracking. They can identify the carrier service most appropriate to a particular shipment. A thorough, dedicated reseller can save a small business money as well as valuable time.
Using a shipping reseller can mean big savings for small companies. The cost of dealing with a primary carrier (such as Airborne Express, Federal Express or UPS) is dispersed among all of the reseller's customers, resulting in discounts up to 40% or more.
A little research into shipping resellers will go a long way. Some resellers charge a membership fee or they charge for services in advance. Resellers who request prepayment often require you to purchase increments of five to 10 shipments at a time. The real benefit here is for those companies which only ship occasionally because the reseller allows them to ship as much as they can fit into the overnight envelope for the amount they've prepaid.
Other resellers charge no membership fees and do not require pre-payment. These resellers rely on the number of customers they serve to provide the basis for the discounted price. Many larger resellers operate nationally, and even internationally, as franchises. This gives them a much broader customer base to work with and results in greater savings for each customer.
When researching the range of services a reseller provides, there are two important points to consider. First, look at the number of carriers with which a reseller works. Some carriers specialize in the overnight delivery of documents and small packages; some are better than others for large packages and bulk deliveries. Not all carriers deliver internationally and not all of them offer same-day or weekend delivery, and those who do usually charge much more for these services. A reseller who only deals with one or two carriers will not be able to provide your business with many options.
A good reseller will deal with a variety of different carriers, enabling them to customize your service at a great price.
The second thing to consider are the services offered directly to you by the reseller. The reseller really can't control the services provided by the carriers and must rely on the carriers to do their jobs efficiently for their customers. A reseller can really excel in the personalized services it offers. Some things to look for:
There are three Rs inherent to a competent reseller. A responsive reseller is one who answers your call for service as soon as possible. Unlike the carriers, resellers don't make you wait for them to pick up your package when its convenient for them and won't ask you to drop your package off at one of their drop boxes. Resellers are ready to handle your business at notice, and if there is a problem, they will arrange a time with you that is convenient.
A good reseller will also be reliable. Pick-up appointments will be met, and price and value will be consistent. Rate changes at the carrier level will be absorbed into the reseller's client base and should not result in significant changes to your cost. Delivery times will be met, and the package should be tracked by the reseller as well as the carrier. Also, a reliable reseller will have a good relationship with the carriers, which can be confirmed by contacting the carriers directly.
Finally, a good reseller will be responsible. In addition to behaving like he is a part of your company, he will also treat your shipments as important to his business as it is to yours. Most carriers claim somewhere around 97% on-time deliveries, but that excludes weather and acts of God.
Ultimately, the more questions you ask, the better off you will be. Like any major purchase, it takes a great deal of research to make the best possible choice.
John Barry is president and CEO of Unishippers, the nation's largest reseller of shipping services to small- and medium-sized companies. For more information, contact Lori Peterson at 801-487-0600 or visit
www.unishippers.com.
