Booking a courier should be simple, right? You’ve got a parcel, you want it to go somewhere, and someone picks it up and drops it off. Sadly, it’s rarely that smooth. Businesses – even the well-organised ones – often fall into the same traps when booking a courier. Whether it’s a last-minute panic or assuming all services are created equal, the consequences can range from a missed delivery to a red-faced phone call with an unhappy customer.
There’s a big difference between a cheap, no-frills delivery and a specialist courier who knows how to handle sensitive goods or tight timeframes. Some services focus on speed, others on cost, and a few pride themselves on things like white-glove service or temperature control. Picking the wrong one can cause all sorts of headaches.
Tip: Take five minutes to check what the courier offers. Do they cover the area you need? Can they handle your type of item? Do they offer tracking or proof of delivery? It’s worth it.
You’d be amazed at how many people book a “next-day” delivery at 4:45pm, thinking it’s still valid. Most couriers have a firm daily cut-off – miss it, and you’re bumped to the next day. This one’s a classic.
Tip: Always ask about cut-off times before confirming the booking, especially if you’re booking it at the last minute. And if you’ve got a regular schedule, build those times into your planning to avoid the rush.
“We’re just opposite the Tesco” doesn’t cut it as an address. If your courier can’t find the place or ends up in the wrong building, you risk delays and rebooking fees. Even worse if the delivery point has limited access times or special instructions.
Tip: Be as clear as possible. Include postcodes, contact names, phone numbers, floor numbers – anything that’ll make it easier. A proper delivery address is more than just the street name.
It might look like a small box, but if it weighs more than it should or requires two people to lift it, you could face extra charges or failed pickup attempts. Some couriers work on strict size and weight bands.
Tip: Measure and weigh your parcel. Don’t guess. If you’re unsure, ask your courier what they need from you. It’s much better than dealing with a surcharge after the job’s done.
The Friday afternoon “Can you get this delivered before Monday?” scramble is all too real. Urgent jobs do happen, of course, but relying on last-minute bookings as a standard practice usually ends in stress, higher costs, or failed expectations.
Tip: Plan ahead whenever possible. If you know, you’ve got regular shipments, block-book slots or set up a courier account. Not only can it save you money, but it also provides faster support when you really need it.
Booking a courier might seem like a small task in the grand scheme of running a business – but when it goes wrong, the knock-on effects can be surprisingly significant. A missed delivery can delay a project, upset a client, or disrupt your team’s schedule.
Take a moment to avoid these common traps. Be clear, be realistic, and don’t hesitate to ask questions before booking. The right courier should feel like a reliable partner, not just a name on a van.