Currently, in times of rapid e-commerce growth, the courier delivery market (including international shipments) has developed very dynamically. For many people, a courier is the most convenient and most frequently chosen shipping method. It is used not only by online shops, but also by private individuals selling their items on popular auction sites. How to choose a courier company so that your parcel arrives quickly and cheaply? Check out our guide!
1. Delivery time and speed for international shipments
Firstly, when choosing a company, it is not worth focusing solely on the lowest price. This is of course an important aspect and it is always worth considering
how much courier shipping costs, but the first thing to consider is the speed of service. This depends primarily on how many logistics points (parcel collection points and sorting facilities) the courier company has. The standard is delivery within 1-2 days domestically. However, this time is affected by factors such as: delivery location (a parcel to a village far from a large city will take longer), the date the parcel is sent (delivery times increase during the holiday season), and specific delivery hours.
2. Parcel collection process by an international courier company
Another thing to check before making a decision is the parcel collection process. Will the company pick them up from you at the specified place and time? Will you need to deliver the parcel to a drop-off point? If the former, you should also check how you can order a courier: by phone or through the system on the courier website. Consider all options and choose the one that is most convenient for you. However, check in advance whether and what costs are associated with each option. It may turn out that you will need to pay extra for parcel collection within a specific time window.
3. Parcel tracking on domestic and international routes
This option is always useful, but it is particularly important when sending international shipments. An international courier will by definition take longer to deliver – so it is good to have the entire process under control. Monitoring your parcel journey is an important service – find out how you will be able to check where your parcel is at any given moment. Is it an online system where you enter the tracking number, or do you have to rely on contacting customer service? Choose the most optimal solution – only then will international courier shipments, as well as domestic ones, not cost you a lot of stress. The quality and professionalism of the courier company also reflects the quality of your own services.
4. Miejsce dostawy
In this case, you need to consider where you will mainly be sending parcels: locally – within the country, or globally – abroad. If the latter, check whether the company delivers to where your customers are. Choose one that has
extensive experience in the international market. Also consider the delivery method – air shipments usually cost much more than parcels delivered by road transport.
5. Reklamacje
Przed wyborem
firmy kurierskiej check exactly what the complaints procedure looks like and what recognised complaints cover. Usually these are: parcel loss, failure to deliver within the agreed time. Not all companies accept complaints when a parcel is damaged. Before making your decision, read the terms and conditions – check whether you can file a complaint easily and quickly, or whether it is a complex and complicated procedure. You can also negotiate the inclusion of favourable terms in the contract. This is very important, especially if you send a lot of parcels.
These are the most important points regarding choosing a courier company. What else is worth paying attention to? Certainly the frequency and volume of parcels you send – if you send a large volume regularly, pricing offers will certainly be more favourable than for delivering small numbers of shipments at irregular intervals. Also pay close attention to the option of parcel insurance – whether it is included in the price or whether you need to pay extra. Such a service significantly increases the sender peace of mind – in case of parcel damage, you will be able to obtain compensation.
