National Courier Service | Same Day Delivery Management Specialist

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The insurgence of online shopping has forever changed our experience with buying, selling, and advertising. If you follow industry news, it shouldn’t surprise you that Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is worth over 150 billion dollars, mostly thanks to online commerce.

As this industry continues to grow and change our lives in different ways, the infrastructure required to support it also evolves. You may have heard of something called a fulfillment center.

But do you know the difference between warehouse and fulfillment services? Keep reading to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know! 

The Lure of Online Shopping

It seems like magic. You type some words and press some buttons on your computer or mobile device and -voilá- your clothing, video games, groceries, or whatever you ordered just appears at your door. Nothing beats it.

No more driving around wasting precious fuel and time. Forget about looking for parking and waiting in line at the mall. Who has time for any of that?

Thankfully, we can easily buy and sell whatever we need thanks to the multiple websites that make this possible. But let’s look at the people that truly make this industry tick.

What Makes It Possible?

Like all industries, online retail companies rely on real people to make things work. This includes drivers, package handlers, clerks, accountants, and many other types of laborers.  

In contrast to brick and mortar stores, there is less a need for salespersons since the goods are advertised and sold on a website. However, there is a great need for workers to cover logistics. Many of these work at places called fulfillment centers.

What Are Fulfillment Centers?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, you would be forgiven for thinking that they are places where Taoist monks obtain enlightenment or something along those lines.

However, online orders are what is being fulfilled here. Most goods that are purchased online likely came through one of these places to be packaged and then shipped towards their final destinations. Millions of dollars of products pass through these centers.

Amazon alone accounts for about 75 of these centers across North America. It takes well over 100,000 people to operate these centers. They account for the vast majority of all the people employed by Amazon.

Warehousing and Fulfillment Centers

The truth of the matter is, no matter how sophisticated the technology used by the online retail industry is, there is always going to be a need for storage and logistics. 

Is a fulfillment center just a fancy way of saying ‘warehouse’? Although they share certain similarities, they do not serve exactly the same purpose. Let’s take a look at their origins and what it is that sets them apart from common warehouses.

History

Online shopping really began to catch on amongst the general public towards the end of the 90s and the early 2000s. However, online commerce truly began much earlier.

Towards the end of the 80s, industry movers realized the need for packing and distribution centers to deal with the demand for such a rapidly growing industry.

Being part of a new and innovative industry, it became apparent that a new phrase would be appropriate to most accurately describe it. Since it was a place where orders were fulfilled, ‘fulfillment center’ made sense and quickly caught on throughout North America.

Warehousing Solutions

Many companies offer what is known as product warehousing solutions. When large amounts of good and/or material needs to be stored for longer periods of time, it makes sense to utilize the services of a warehouse.

Companies often pay to lease space in a warehouse. This could be measured in square footage or by the number of containers required.

Retailers that utilize these services can choose to keep a certain portion of there inventory in these types of spaces and another part of it in their shop. They can always add or take away from the storage.

How Are Warehouses and Fulfillment Centers Different?

At first glance, they appear to be large buildings filled with people moving and storing big containers and boxes. They are similar in that sense. They are both used to accommodate massive amounts of goods and equipment.

The main difference between warehousing and fulfillment services is that the latter is constantly mobilizing the goods it handles. Also, fulfillment centers have to deal with endless returns.

This means that, in a fulfillment center, the products are not meant to be stored for extended periods of time. This is because their shelves are always being stocked and then shipped to the customers.

How Do Fulfillment Centers Work?

There is currently a massive demand for fulfillment services. This requires a large number of resources, technology, and, most importantly, plenty of people that can make everything possible.

It is a constantly evolving industry that continues to advance along with other fields. Robots have often been used and experts speculate they will revolutionize the industry.

They say it takes a village to deliver a package. The centers have to work with people in many other industries. They depend on reliable courier services to ensure that the products make it from the centers to wherever they need to go.

Order With Confidence!

Fulfillment centers and warehouses are both vital to the world of commerce. The way we use the internet continues to evolve, but the need for these types of services will remain. However, it is important to know that a fulfillment center is actually quite different from a warehouse. 

Looking for a courier service that delivers? Get in touch with us to learn more!


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Warehouse location plays a pivotal role in a modern business strategy.

It’s a sort of a make-or-break decision that profoundly impacts all aspect of your operations. Nowadays, pressures on business supply chains have never been greater. What is at stake is your ability to serve customers profitably and efficiently.

Therefore, you have a lot of ground to cover. In other words, you would be wise to plan and strategize ahead of time, according to clear selection criteria.

After all, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Warehouse location must match your unique needs and set you up for growth and expansion.

Here are some key areas to focus on in order to get the most bang for your buck.

Think in Terms of Customer Proximity

The first thing to do is ponder your market base.

Perform detailed research on existing or potential customers. Figure out location(s) that can serve as reliable sources of business.  Being close to these nexuses shortens delivery times and cuts shipping costs.

This is to say the ideal location is close to as many of your customers as possible. You might even have a chance to provide coveted same-day delivery.

But, it’s important to go beyond back-of-the-envelope calculations. Get serious with math and work out the exact transpiration cost from a warehouse to customer addresses.

At the same time, see to it you’re not too close to neighbors, even if they are your customers. Warehouses can be quite noisy and discharge various emissions. The trick is to maximize your responsiveness without outstaying your welcome.

A Matter of Workforce Accessibility

Workforce availability is another vital aspect we cannot stress enough.

Geographical locations aren’t created equal when it comes to the presence of skilled workers. The price of hiring and covering salaries could also vary depending on laws of supply and demand. Moreover, competing businesses hamper your ability to attract and retain people.

These are no meager factor in terms of their influence on overall business costs. They also have an effect on retention and turnover rates.

So, develop a deeper understanding of the local demographics.  Examine education and income levels. Government websites should provide enough details on these data points.

The main goal is to confirm supply meets the objective of offering on-time delivery. If you want to keep the wheels turning 24/7, this could be a real challenge.

Connectedness to Other Services

Your warehouse is part of a broader service and linkage ecosystem.

For instance, being near the carrier, supplier, and manufacturing facilitates is highly beneficial. It can supercharge the shipping and transportation processes. Things become much easier and more convenient for everyone, including your customers.

This time around, you need to calculate transpiration costs from service facilities to your warehouse. If you can afford it, go for an all-encompassing location that enhances the supply chain.

Notice easy access to roads, exit ramps, and highways with proper signage add to the potential value of location. This component boosts productivity and allows you to do a better job at serving consumers.

In case the trucking is your primary mode of transportation, you stand even more to gain. You can optimize fuel consumption, lower the risk of accidents, and minimize time waste.

Storage Capacity and Building Features

Next, it’s time to assess the physical premises.  

First off, factor in any special accommodations you require for products. This is crucial when storing toxic, flammable, food, and fragile items. They involve strict safety standards and storage specifications.

It goes without saying you don’t want to ever compromise on priorities like these.

Secondly, check out build parameters, as well as the layout and flow of the warehouse. When it comes to specific features, they include rail sliding, turning lanes, trans-loading, etc.

Don’t overlook internet and connection services either. Examine general availability, as well as speed and link type.

Thirdly, think about what type of storage makes the most sense—racked, trailer, or bulked. Similarly, you may have to choose between chemical/foam systems and water-based solutions. Take your time to go over these dilemmas and prioritize solid inventory control.

Keeping Up with Evolving Business Needs

Moving on, it’s preferable to find spacious enough warehouse for the long haul.

Namely, the facility should accommodate your needs now and in the future. Quickly outgrowing it faces you with logistics nightmare and unnecessary costs. Therefore, evaluate projected growth and compare it against available square footage.

While at it, investigate whether you have enough room around the facility for expansion. This aspect gives the location much more longevity.

Just to stay on the safe side, you can opt for a lease/rental contract with flexible storage options. One common mistake to avoid is overestimating your capacities. Your business may occasionally actually shrink and leave you with giant overheads with little to show for.

In the wake of this scenario, seasonal warehousing arrangements save the day. The takeaway is clear: never to lock yourself in a deal that hurts your agility and adaptability.

Grasping the Full Financial Picture

Lastly, expenditures always have their place on the list of concerns.

Rental rates and taxes are the most obvious example of how your decision matters a great deal. In general, rates depend on square footage and months of lease. That being said, landlords can decide to go above and beneath the market average.

They may also fail to disclose the fact that utilities aren’t overly energy-efficient. So, investigate their availability and cost yourself.

Depending on the type of warehouse, you’re more dependent on some utilities than others. Refrigerated buildings, for example, require more electricity and water.  In any event, be wary of anything that inflates operating costs.

To mitigate the financial blow on your budget, keep an eye on local government tax incentives and special programs

They either give you a nice boost or discourage the investment altogether.

Warehouse Location: Achieving Success by Design

Picking a suitable warehouse location must never be aforethought.

It calls for extensive planning and research— these activities pay immense dividends in the long run.

First off, take into account the customer base, overheads and storage requirements. Try to be close to the manufacturing location and secure skilled workforce.

This list is not all-inclusive, but it’s a great starting point.

Another crucial thing to remember is you might not be able to maximize each element. It usually comes down to trade-off and balance between different moving parts. But, you can come close to the ideal solution and avoid most of the headaches.

If you want to get ahead of the game, feel free to check out our services. We offer top-notch delivery, warehousing, and logistics services to our clients.


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Have you finally run out of space?

For reasons unknown, it’s hard for businesses to avoid clutter in the office. There just never seems to be enough of that precious thing called warehouse space.

How many times have you walked into a storage room that’s full of boxes of files and old computer parts that no one’s needed in years? It’s an epidemic.

Maybe you run a manufacturing business and you’re drowning in overstock waiting to be purchased and shipped out. 

What we’re trying to say is that it’s normal to be short on room. The expenses of moving to a larger space can be enough to sink a small business and if you’re growing steadily, this probably results in a lot of clutter around your office and warehouse.

We’re here to tell you that there’s help available. With on-demand long and short-term warehousing, you can have the best of both worlds. 

Here are 7 reasons why.

1. Erase Clutter

By investing in temporary warehouse space, you can allow your business to get back to doing what it’s best at, functioning as an office. If your current building is operating as your headquarters and your warehouse space, then you can’t work as efficiently as you could otherwise. 

Warehouse space will allow you to keep the office side and the warehouse side separate. Have one location that you run your operations out of and another that acts as a storage space for all of your products. 

You can also use a temp storage space to keep extra office supplies out of sight while you figure out what to do with them. No one likes to work in an environment that feels like an office version of “Hoarders”. If you’ve got a lot of extra junk laying around, move it to off-site storage and make your employees happier.

2. Helps With Moves

Similarly, warehouse space can help you during big moves when you’re still figuring out how to optimize your new office’s functionality. It can be a pain to move an entire office from one space to another.

Moving supplies that are less integral to the operation of your business into storage and gradually removing them is a much more effective way to go about a large-scale move.

Courier companies often offer services that will help you transport your supplies from one office to another, at the same time offering warehouse support for your extra stuff.

3. Warehouse Space For Overstock

If you manufacture products, you can quickly find yourself running out of space of your own. By renting a storage space, you can alleviate the limitations of your own warehouse or office. 

Doing this effectively gives your business some room to operate and grow. It can be difficult to feel like your business is moving forward when you have physical limitations within your office. Freeing up space is as beneficial to your company’s collective psyche as it is to your physical day-to-day operation.

At Chicago Messenger, we offer warehousing, store and ship, and fulfillment for your stock.

4. Fulfillment

One of the incredible benefits of storing your product at Chicago Messenger’s warehouse facilities is our store and ship and fulfillment services. If you don’t know what fulfillment services are, then you’ve been missing out.

With our fulfillment services, you’ll never have to worry about shipping again. The warehousing service stores your products for you, while the fulfillment services take over all of your order picking and shipping needs.

Instead of you requesting an item from us or driving to the storage facility to pick an order, just leave it to the fulfillment team. They integrate with your team to pick, pack, and ship items for you.

5. Expand Reach with Lower Cost

Renting a temporary storage space is much cheaper than buying a larger space of your own. A small monthly fee allows you to have the best of both worlds. It will allow you to expand your reach without breaking the bank.

If you were to purchase space in a warehouse, you’ll have the added headache of providing upkeep and staffing the place. With a rental, it’s all taken care of for you, staff and all.

Expand your reach without the high-risk move of purchasing a new facility. Grow at your own pace.

6. Flexibility

Flexibility is key with businesses that experience ebbs and flows throughout the fiscal year. Renting a monthly storage space gives you a no-commitment space that you can keep during peak times and take off the books during slow periods.

This is hugely beneficial in certain manufacturing industries that pick up rapidly around holidays and grind to a halt during the summer months. When you rent, your mind will be at ease knowing that you can remove the cost of your storage space when you don’t need it.

7. New Resources

Using a third-party storage facility gives you the opportunity to use state of the art technology to organize your stock. Many new warehouses possess sophisticated warehouse management systems with automated inventory, tracking, order fulfillment, and customized racking.

Often, these businesses will also have well-trained staff to help you along in the process of organizing your product. The safe handling and proper organization of your product should be at the forefront of the services provided by the storage facility.

With a temporary storage rental, you get all of these things included in your monthly fee, giving you incredible resources at an affordable price.

Book Your Warehouse Space Today

If you think that your business would benefit from a temporary warehouse space rental, then book with Chicago Messenger today. We’ll work with your needs to provide the best warehousing service possible for your company.

The advantages of having extra space are undeniable. Your office will look better, your employees will feel better, and operations will run smoothly. Check out our services page to find out what we offer and contact us to obtain a quote as soon as possible.

For more articles on how to store and ship your products, visit our blog.


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The US imported over $600 billion of goods from Canada and Mexico in 2017.

These came to the US via truck, rail, pipeline, vessel, and air. Among these common methods for shipping goods across distances, airfreight is the most secure and reliable.

If you need to ship something quickly, air freight is your best option. But there are some things you should know when you’re choosing airfreight for the first time. 

Read on to find out what freight airlines offer and more.

What is Airfreight?

Airfreight is for rapid and safe transit across the country or internationally. It’s faster than ocean freight that can take more than a month. It also delivers goods more quickly than trucks that are susceptible to weather and unable to access the globe.

For some companies, airfreight is a critical part of the supply chain. It allows them to meet demands quickly. It also reduces the potential for loss in regard to time and temperature-sensitive products.

Airfreight Options

There are 3 options when choosing an airfreight carrier. 

Commercial Aircraft

You can send an airfreight via passenger plane. This is an economical way of shipping smaller shipments.

One problem with commercial aircraft is that it’s subject to capacity. But because most commercial flights take off more than once per day, there’s a good chance of getting your shipment out quickly.

However, more restrictions apply to freight traveling on planes carrying passengers. There are also the size and weight limits that are more limiting than other airfreight options.

Cargo Aircraft

These aircraft are specifically designed for moving freight. They can fit freight of all sizes and ship to all destinations.

Cargo aircraft aren’t subject to the same TSA restrictions as passenger plans. They’re capable of carrying large, heavy freight as well as HAZMAT and other dangerous items.

Private Airfreight

Often used for the most urgent shipping needs, private airfreight gives you the exclusive use of a plane. You can customize every aspect of your shipment.

Private airfreight typically means no transfers or stopovers. These providers off direct service to the required destination, no matter how remote.

Benefits of Private Airfreight

Why choose private airfreight over other shipping options? We’ll give you 4 reasons.

Reliability

Commercial and cargo airplanes are far more inconsistent with their departure and arrival times. Passenger planes especially are often delayed for various reasons.

When you’re shipping an item that has an expiry date, private airfreight is the fastest method of moving goods. As a private air carrier, it’s not subject to the same delays as passenger planes. It provides direct service between you and your products destination.

Theft

Most items stolen in transit are taken from shipping hubs. With airfreight, your shipment remains in airports, which are far more secure.

Loss

Besides theft, shipping with airfreight results in less risk of a shipment getting lost. With direct service and no stops where your package is handled or inspected, there’s less chance of your package being lost or even damaged. 

Cost Savings

Shipping by land, sea, or cargo plane means going through customs. Every time your freight goes through customs and gets inspected, you’re subject to additional customs charges. With a private airfreight provider, you pay fewer customs fees because there are fewer stops.

Customs fees aren’t the only items that private airfreight circumvents. It also avoids carriers that require additional preparation, reduces paperwork, and saves time getting to your destinations.

Because private airfreight providers usually have smaller warehouses and inventories, those cost savings are also passed onto you.

Costs of Private Airfreight

How much your shipping costs depend on the chargeable weight of your freight.

Airfreight carriers use weight and volume to calculate rates. Your chargeable weight is based on 1 of 2 options, actual weight or volumetric weight.

Actual weight charges are based on the gross weight of your shipment. That is, exactly what your freight weighs.

You may also be charged based on the volumetric weight. Otherwise known as dimensional weight, this takes into account the length, width, and height, of the shipment. It’s an estimated weight involving the minimum density accepted by the carrier.

Delivery Options for Private Airfreight

In most cases, the faster you want your shipment delivered, the higher your costs are going to be. Although your delivery service can affect costs, it also gives you flexibility.

For urgent shipment, same-day is the fastest option but also the most expensive. Next-day air can deliver goods as early as the following business day and is a little less costly then same-day. 

While still speedy, second-day air is an affordable option for getting your shipment to its destination within two business days. The most economical option is deferred air. If your shipment isn’t time sensitive and can wait for space on an aircraft, this is the most cost-effective option. 

Tips for Choosing a Private Airfreight Provider

If you haven’t already picked your airfreight provider, here’s what you should keep in mind.

Choose Reliability Over Cost

Sometimes, carriers that cost a little bit more, offer more reliability. When you choose your carrier based on rates alone, you may be sacrificing security. And when freight gets lost or damaged as a result of poor handling, you’ll have to absorb those unexpected and often large costs.

Do Your Research

If your cost seems too good to be true – look into it further. Ensure there are no hidden costs or fees in your quote.

Don’t rely on just one quote. Compare quotes across providers. Do this well in advance of any urgent needs so you’re prepared when the time comes.

Need to Ship Urgently?

When time is of the essence, airfreight is the only way to ship your products. You can be sure that your shipment will arrive faster than it would via any other method. And if you ship with a private airfreight provider, you have the added benefits of security and direct to destination cost-savings.

The next time you need to ship something without delays, contact us for a quote.


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You might have the best products in the world, but if they don’t make it to your customers there’s no point in selling them. So how are you going to deliver those goods?

This question can cause quite a dilemma for any business owner. The shipping method decided upon by the company directly affects the business as well as the customer. 

When it comes to choosing a shipping method, there are a few things to keep in mind. Ready to begin? Here are some things you should think when making your decision.

Where Your Customers Are

First, you need to consider your customer. Where are they located? The answer to this question should play a big role in your decision.

There are plenty of shipping options to choose from, so you’re sure to find the right fit. 

If your customers solely reside in your home country, you can look for an option that only serves that country. There’s no need to worry about international shipping if your customers don’t demand it.

On the other hand, you might have international customers. Or you may hope to have them in the future. If this sounds like your business, make sure you choose a shipping method that offers international shipping.

You may only need to ship items to a more local audience. If that’s the case, you can go with a courier who knows the area well and specializes in fast local deliveries.

What You’re Shipping

What types of products do you plan to ship to your customers? While it may seem like that doesn’t matter all that much, it really does. This should be one of the biggest things you take into consideration.

If you’re shipping fragile items, make sure your method of choice will protect them.

Do you plan to ship living things, such as fish or plants? Then you’ll need a shipping method that offers special care and overnight options.

Whether you need your products to get to their destination quickly or at a more standard pace, there’s a method that’ll meet your needs.

Product Size

The size of your products matters, too. Not all shipping companies will allow for large or oddly-shaped packages. If this matches the description of any of your product, make sure you find a company that’s willing to ship that product.

Package weight is an important thing to consider, too.

The Costs Involved

The cost of your chosen shipping method is important to both your company and your customers. Look for something that effective but affordable.

Consider each shipping method’s standard costs, insurance fees, and any other possible costs. This will help you stay on budget and keep your customers happy.

Variety

Unless you offer a single type of thing and plan to ship it the same way every time, you may want a variety of shipping methods. You may want your fragile items delivered in one way and your large items delivered in another.

Luckily, you can find shipping companies who offer a variety of tools and methods. Look for this, if variety is an important feature for your products.

Tracking Services

Package tracking is a must these days. Your customers will expect it, so make sure you offer it.

Tracking gives your customers an intimate knowledge of where their package is. It takes the wonder and some of the worries away until their package arrives.

For the best customer experience, choose a method that offers tracking. This is a benefit for you since you can provide the customer with information when they want it. And it benefits the customers by making them happier and feeling more secure about their online purchase.

Popular Shipping Methods

The way in which your products are delivered will play a role in the cost and effectiveness of your shipping. So consider the method itself when looking at your options.

Will your items be transported by train, air, ship, or truck? Are they hand delivered, or are they left on a porch or at an airport?

All these things should be on your mind when you’re making a decision. Here’s a look at some popular options, so you have an idea of what’s out there.

Standard Mail

The U.S. Postal Service offers several types of shipping. These include standard, first class, and overnight.

They offer tracking and pretty much everyone in the U.S. is familiar with how they work. This provides the comfort of familiarity for your customer.

Shipping Company

Various shipping companies, such as UPS and FedEx offer many shipping services. They usually offer a lot of options, so they’re worth looking into.

Courier Service

Courier services offer a hands-on, catered-to you approach to shipping. Things like rush service, any-hour delivery, and package storage are all part of this method.

Many courier services offer last mile delivery, which can be used in conjunction with other delivery services. This helps make sure that packages don’t get left somewhere, like an airport.

Courier service is an excellent option if you’re looking for a shipping method that’ll guarantee customer satisfaction.

The Right Shipping Method for You

When it comes to choosing a shipping method for your company, you have a lot of decisions to make. There may be more than one option that could be a good fit, so make sure you compare your options.

Consider every element of the shipping process, including product size, where the products will go, and how fast they need to get there. Once you’ve found the right fit, you and your customers are sure to be happy.

We offer the best courier service you’ll find in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas. See what we can do for you by getting a free quote!


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Do you have a trustworthy local courier service? For a business that relies on speed, you need the best courier service. This can help improve your client satisfaction.

Why?

Studies show that courier services can influence business customer satisfaction. This is true for both brick and mortar or e-commerce businesses.

Regardless if you are an online business or you have an infrastructure, a local courier delivery service can spell success or disaster for you. Since there’s so many of them out in the wild, how do you find the right courier company?

In this article, we’ll talk about what to look for in a local courier service. What do you need to find someone that fits your business?

It looks hard, but if you keep reading, it will be easy from the start.

1. A Courier Business Must Have Easy Tracking

You would want make sure it’s easy to track any package sent over your delivery courier. This gives you and your client the ability to do a few things. With the right service, you can track:

  • the position of goods
  • delivery status
  • estimated time of arrival
  • stage of the delivery process

Knowing how to follow your products gives you and your clients peace of mind. Customers care about proper shipment tracking. The top marks for consumer shipping revolve around “easy to track shipments”.

Also, tracking that shows the estimated time of arrival (ETA) will get priority. If the ETA can happen earlier than anticipated, that’s a plus to your side.

Same day delivery services have many business benefits. A local couriers service that can get items quicker can net the business better reviews.

2. Cheap Local Couriers Service

No matter how big or small your business is, cost is a factor. It will be one of the primary considerations when picking the right courier company. Cost can affect your bottom line, and the lower the price, the better it is.

However, a perfect balance of price and deliverability is essential. Finding the right courier team for your products requires a service level agreement.

How do you do that? Find a business that has the right infrastructure and warehousing capabilities. They should be able to handle whatever volume you need.

3. Service Reliability

Service reliability is the most crucial factor that you need to look for in any delivery courier. A reliable service team means not only can they do the deliveries on time, but they should also be capable of doing the job on a consistent basis.

If you’re unsure how reliable a team is, the first thing you look for is local reviews. People love to record their experiences with their couriers.

The best courier service will have good reviews across. They will also have solid testimonials for their reliability.

If you want to try a new service altogether, compare different quotes. Compare the writing on the paper and discuss compliance with the agreement.

4. Full Range of Delivery Options

If you’re paying good money for a courier company, make sure you have a variety of delivery options. Having a variety of delivery models gives your business pricing flexibility.

An excellent example of this is Amazon. The eCommerce site has a variety of delivery options. This depends on the service that the customers want.

With Amazon Prime, they provide same-day delivery options for local orders. If the products need drop-shipping, they offer a separate delivery option depending on the shipping cost the customer is willing to pay.

For small and medium businesses, you need at least two to three delivery options. Local delivery needs to have a quick turn around time. Out of city or out of state deliveries, however, would need a separate SLA.

5. Robust Insurance Coverage

Damaged goods are a common problem in both eCommerce and brick and mortar businesses. There are countless horror stories online of a delivery courier damaging goods. This will not reflect well on your business.

If you want to prevent lost time and customer dissatisfaction, there’s an answer to it. Make sure to find a local couriers service that has insurance coverage. This insurance will cover them in the event of neglect or damage.

In the event of breakage, the proper recourse is to refund the customer or give them the same product. You would also need something extra to prevent customer complaints. If that happens, the courier’s insurance needs to pay for the damage.

Insurance makes sure you don’t pay out of pocket. It reduces the total cost that you need to bear. It will also allow you to take care of any impending customer service disaster without it affecting your bottom line. Find someone who knows how to handle fragile items in the first place.

6. Professional Couriers

The product journey of a customer starts with the courier business. If the person who delivers the parcel is brusque and unprofessional, the experience will never be the same. Having professional couriers can make the day of the receiver – or even add to the entire experience.

What do the couriers look like when they deliver? What does the product look like during delivery? How do they talk to customers?

These are valid questions to consider when picking the best courier service for your business. Find people with a well-trained fleet of pros who can provide the full customer experience. These people will be the life-blood of the service.

Choosing the Right Local Courier Delivery Service Matters

It takes time to pick the right people to deliver your goods to your customers. You would need some extra effort to wade through quotes. Even then, you can’t be sure who to trust.

When choosing the right local courier delivery service, factor not only the price but also how good their service is.

What’s their reputation? What’s in the black and white? Do they have a service level agreement?

If your service area is in Miami and Fort Lauderdale area, why not rely on ASAP Courier? ASAP Courier is Florida’s premiere local courier, with various delivery options and rush services depending on your needs.

Get pre-scheduled route deliveries, strong warehousing options, and many more. Talk to us at Chicago Messenger and see what we can do to help. Sending your parcels is as easy as A-B-C.


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If your company is interested in renting warehouse space right now, one of the things you’re going to learn is that it’s not easy to find it. The warehousing industry is booming at the moment with warehouse vacancies falling dramatically in recent years.

Importance of Warehousing

But that shouldn’t stop you from trying to track warehouse space down anyway. Even though it might be difficult to locate a warehouse for your business at first, the importance of warehousing simply can’t be overstated in this day and age.

There are so many different ways in which warehousing will benefit your company, especially if you’re involved in e-commerce. Here are 7 ways warehousing will help your business.

1. Provides You with a Place to Store Your Products

If you run a tiny business that only has a couple of employees and a few sales every month, you don’t have a whole lot of trouble finding a place to store your products.

However, if you’re running a larger company, there’s a good chance that you don’t have enough room in your business to store everything that you’re selling. And even if you do, trying to run a company while tripping over all the products you have stored in your business isn’t a good way to go about doing things.

A warehouse will provide you with one central location to store all the products that your company creates and sells. It’ll make your business appear a lot more organized and give you some room to breathe in your company’s headquarters.

2. Allows You to Manage Your Inventory More Effectively

As your business grows and starts selling more and more products, inventory management is going to become very important. You’re going to need to create a system that allows you to manage your inventory as effectively as possible.

By managing your inventory, you can:

  • Keep track of how many products you have available and where they’re all located
  • Prevent products from getting stolen or lost during shipping and handling
  • Improve the relationships with any vendors who carry your products
  • Find ways to run your business as a whole more efficiently

Unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to create any kind of inventory management system before you obtain warehouse space. It’ll be almost impossible to do it in the back of your business or down in your business’ basement.

A warehouse will give you the room you’ll need to come up with an inventory management system that works well for your business.

3. Makes It Easier to Ship Products out to Customers

In 2018, people expect the products that they order online to be shipped to them immediately. Studies have shown that, even if you offer free shipping to people, they still want to see their package from you arrive in under five days, which is down a full day from just five years ago.

A centrally located warehouse can make it possible for you to ship items quickly. You can find them in your warehouse and get them in the mail in no time.

You can also offer same-day or next-day shipping to your customers in some instances if you do most of your business in the area surrounding your warehouse. You’ll be able to keep your customers a whole lot happier when you have a fully-functioning warehouse at your disposal.

4. Protects Your Products from Sustaining Damage

If you attempt to store your company’s products inside of your business and something like a theft or fire takes place, it could devastate you and your employees. All of your products will be gone along with many other things that you keep in your business.

A warehouse will help you avoid encountering this situation. Your products will be safer when they’re kept in a warehouse, and just in case anything does happen, they can be covered by an insurance policy.

Additionally, a warehouse will allow you to control the climate in which you store products. If you need to keep the temperature cool, you can do it. You can even obtain refrigerated warehouse space if your company specializes in selling perishable items.

5. Stabilizes the Prices of Your Products

As a business leader, your goal should be to meet the demands of your customers. That means creating enough products to satisfy those who want to buy them.

If your storage space is limited, though, this will likely present a problem. You won’t have enough room to supply the demand of your customers. And it could force you to sporadically raise and lower your prices on products based on the demand for them.

Warehousing will step in and stabilize your product prices by giving you room to store excess goods. You’ll be able to dip into the extra inventory that you keep in your warehouse when the demand for a product rises rather than raising prices.

6. Improves Your Customer Service Capabilities

Providing excellent customer service to those who come to you for your products is essential. People need to get answers to their pressing questions when they call on your customer service department.

A warehouse will enhance your customer service capabilities by providing your customer service representatives with more information. When a customer calls and asks, “Where is the product that I ordered two days ago?!”, a customer service rep will be able to track it in your warehouse and give the customer the information they need.

This will reflect well on your business. It’ll also reemphasize the importance of warehousing.

7. Gives You a Chance to Focus on Other Areas of Your Business

While picking products, packaging them up, and shipping them to customers are all important parts of your business operations, they aren’t things you should be worried about on a daily basis. The head of a company should be focused on big-picture items, not inventory management.

By investing in a warehouse, you’ll give someone else the responsibility of worrying about how to ship products out to customers. It’ll be one less thing that you have to have on your plate all the time.

Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Warehousing

If your company isn’t using a warehouse at the moment, you should reconsider the importance of warehousing to see how it could help you.

You should also consider linking up with a dependable last mile service in the Miami area to handle taking products from your warehouse to your customers’ front doors. It’ll help your business run more smoothly and make your warehouse even more beneficial for your business.

Do you need a hand setting up your warehouse in the first place? Read our blog to see some do and don’ts of warehouse operations.


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Getting something from one place to another can be a pain. Especially if you just don’t have the time to get it there.

With everything else you’re supposed to do, how is there time to hand-deliver packages? Well, sometimes there’s not. And when those times, come, it’s time to call a courier.

National courier services provide many convenient delivery solutions. The whole point? To make things easier for you.

How can couriers make your life easier? Here are 10 ways you’ll wish you’d known about your entire life.

1. Expanded Hours

Your typical post office closes, likely right when you have time after work to go send your package. That means you have to take off work, use up your weekend, or spend your lunch break to get that package sent.

This won’t happen if you use a courier service. Courier services offer expanded hours when compared to the regular post. They specialize in serving you, and this is one way they really show it.

Need to send something important at 2:00 a.m.? That’s okay. Some courier services operate 24-hours, all week long.

Whatever your needs are, time-wise, courier services can help you get the job done, when you need it done.

2. Final Mile Delivery

Your package may need to be shipped via air services. But what happens when the plane lands? Your package may have arrived in the right city, but it can’t get to its final destination unless someone is there to take it for you.

This is where final mile delivery comes in. Once your package has arrived, courier services take it that final mile, the distance from the airport to your package’s destination.

At Need it Now we don’t stop there. Once the package has arrived, we’ll even open, assemble, and move the item to wherever the recipient wants it to be.

3. Business Delivery

If you operate any sort of a business or need to communicate with a business, couriers can help take care of that too. Whether it’s individual to business or business to business, a courier can get your package exactly where it needs to go.

Quick interactions with businesses are key. Courier services have the technology, know-how, and manpower to get the job done the right way, and quickly.

4. Peace of Mind

Sending packages can be nerve-wracking, no matter how you choose to do it. This is especially true when you’re sending something important, such as legal documents, or the item is fragile or has high sentimental value. In those moments, you’ve probably found yourself wishing you could deliver the item yourself.

Using a courier is the next best thing. They offer enhanced security and provide you with more information than your local post office will.

Sure, you can get a tracking number and insurance, and those things are helpful. But do you know who’s actually handling your package? No.

With a courier, you do. You’ll actually be given names. The added care and security that’s offered by courier services brings you better peace of mind as your important item ships.

5. Same-Day Delivery

If you’ve ever waited until the last minute you know how stressful that can be. This is especially true when you need to ship something. We all know that can take few days or even weeks!

Luckily, courier services include same day delivery. That means you can get your package to its intended recipient the day you remember you haven’t sent it yet.

Same day delivery is great for time-sensitive items, too. So even if you didn’t forget, you can get that package delivered ASAP.

6. Luggage Delivery

Do you hate dealing with luggage when you go on a trip? Going through security, checking your bag, hoping it arrived with you, and looking for it after your flight can be exhausting. Make things easier for yourself by letting a courier handle your luggage for you.

How does this work? You simply send your luggage with the courier instead of bringing it on the flight with you. Your luggage heads to the same destination as you, just on a different plane.

Worried about your luggage getting dinged up or lost? No worries! Extra wrapping protection is available, as are pick up services and electronic notifications so you know your luggage was delivered.

7. Retail Deliveries

If you operate or own a retail store, you know that shipping items from one location to another can be critical to your business’ success. Each location needs to have the right amount of product.

If you’re looking for a retail delivery service, courier services are the way to go. They’ll make sure your delivers make it on time and in great shape. All you’ll have to worry about is getting that product on the shelves and back out the door again.

8. Deliver Just About Anything

Courier services want to make your life easier. That means they’ll help you ship just about anything.

Some courier services specialize in shipping medical items and equipment. If you need a specialized service provider, you may be able to find one. If not, a regular courier service can probably get the job done.

9. Deliver at a Certain Time

Same day delivery is great, but what about getting something to its destination at a specific time? You can do that with a courier!

Couriers have pre-scheduled routes, so they know exactly how to get your package to the right place at the right time. They’ll simply use your time request and their existing routes to get your package there when you want it to arrive.

10. Keep Things Close

Have you ever wanted to keep product close but avoid having it take up space? If so, you’re probably not alone. Warehouse services help remedy this issue.

Ask your courier if they offer warehouse services. If they do they’ll store your package(s) for as long or as sort as you need. Once you’re ready for it to be shipped, they’ll get right on it.

Use a Courier for all of Your Delivery Solutions

No matter how you look at it couriers offer many delivery solutions that are geared towards making your life easier. So make sure you take advantage of what they have to offer!

Whether you’re sending a personal or business package, a courier will get it to its destination safely and quickly. Just say the word and they’ll get it done!

Have a package that’s ready to go? We’ll help you get it there! Just contact us to get started.


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final mile logistics

It’s not a huge secret that e-commerce is taking over retail. Last year, Americans spent more than $453 billion on online purchases.

The industry is only getting bigger.

Amazon and Walmart are taking e-commerce to new heights. But even Amazon, which rules the e-commerce school, has run into a problem.

Despite their overwhelmingly popular Prime service, which allows people to get their packages in two days, people want it faster.

Amazon found that 60% of their Prime and 41% of non-Prime customers get deterred from buying something because of slow shipping. And we’re talking two days.

That, in a nutshell, is why final mile logistics isn’t only important, it’s a necessity.

In this article, we give you more insight into this growing topic. We’ll also give you some tips on how to get the most out of your third-party logistics service.

What Are the Basics of a Supply Chain?

Before we get into final mile logistics, let’s go over some important basics.

If you’re one of the 30+ million small businesses in the U.S., you’re always looking for ways to cut costs. You’re also looking for ways to increase sales.

The easiest and fastest ways to do both is using a third-party logistics company.

A 3PL company handles any or all aspects of your supply chain. Your e-commerce business probably utilizes a third-party logistics provider. If not, you’re wasting valuable time and money.

In any kind of e-commerce, the process is the same.

The products get stored. A customer buys it online. The items get picked and packed, then shipped.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

How your company goes about it is different. If you use a 3PL, they do everything aside from being the customer buying your product.

If you self-fulfill, you’re storing your products and handling every aspect of the supply chain. In essence, you’re the supply chain.

If you use a drop-ship supplier, they make and store a White-Label product. Then, when your customer clicks “Buy,” the drop-shipper puts your label on it, then does everything else to get it to your customer.

Yes, all three methods are very different. But there’s one thing all these different processes have in common. Final mile delivery, or final mile logistics, is the most important piece of their puzzle.

What Is Final Mile Logistics?

Final mile logistics, or final mile delivery, is the last step in the shipping process.

It’s when a product moves from a transportation hub to its final destination. This could be a receiving dock in business-to-business transactions or an individual’s front door.

Sounds simple, right? It also doesn’t sound that important. It turns out, that final mile logistics is one of, if not the most important parts of the supply chain.

Why Is It So Important?

Last mile delivery makes up 28% of the total cost of shipping an item. That alone makes it important.

As we already discussed, consumers want everything now.

The second they enter their credit card info online, they’re waiting at the window for the delivery truck to arrive.

Everything hinges on last mile shipping. Everything gets affected if there’s a breakdown in the final mile.

If a shipper loses your product, your customer gets mad. They call, usually in an aggravated tone, and demand you send them a replacement.

Your salesperson or customer service representative is now upset. They’re desperately trying to get a duplicate order sent out. The warehouse stops what they’re doing to take care of this priority.

The most frustrating part for you as a business owner is that there’s nothing you can do about it.

What Are Some Challenges?

Chances are, you can relate to everything we’ve mentioned thus far. You’re likely even nodding your head and asking, “Yes, but why does this always happen?!”

You’re about to gain some insight into the challenges of final mile logistics.

Five main factors play a role in last mile delivery challenges. Every company can pinpoint exactly where their final mile delivery breakdown happens and it’s not the same for everybody.

Customer Nuances

As you’re well aware, the customer isn’t always right. In fact, the customer is a cause for some huge challenges in last mile delivery.

First, is customer errors. This is when they input the incorrect shipping address or make typos to the address.

Next, customers shipping items to remote locations poses challenges for delivery.

Finally, a customer not being present at the time of delivery causes issues. Sometimes, a package gets stolen off their front porch. Other times, weather damages the package.

When the accuracy of the final delivery is in question, it costs someone time and money. That someone is usually you.

Business-to-Business Vs. Business-to-Consumer

Most of the time, B2B and B2C deliveries get loaded onto the same trucks. This system is inefficient but the theory is that it saves money.

The truth is, it costs more in the long run. B2B shipments are larger and more time-consuming. A delay in either causes big problems for the recipient.

Companies need their product to run their business. Consumers may need medical supplies to avoid a health crisis.

Putting both on the same truck increases the risk that there will be delays. It can also lead to damages.

Types of Products Shipped

Some goods require special handling and can throw off final mile logistics. The delivery of food, toxic/flammable goods, and fragile items take extra planning.

Outdated or Inefficient Technology

When your customer gets the notification that their order is “out for delivery,” they get excited. Little do they know, all that means is that their package is on the truck.

There’s no way to track in real-time where a delivery actually is the delivery process.

Likewise, outdated computer software, GPS, and handheld devices don’t send the information with the efficiency they should.

Poor Infrastructure

The infrastructure in the U.S. is a major concern for many industries. But, when it comes to logistics, it may be the most troubling of all.

Roads and bridges in disrepair cause massive delays. So does inefficient route planning. All these lead to longer travel times and possible delays.

In the end, your customer’s frustrated, and we’re back to square one.

Are There Any Solutions?

The good news is, there are solutions to these challenges. This is welcoming news for companies that rely on last mile logistics to keep their customers happy and profits up.

The bad news is, if you’re already envious of Amazon’s amazing distribution system, their solution is like rubbing salt in a wound.

Amazon has their own delivery service. These are the couriers you see running all over town, delivering packages to the Amazon faithful. Using their “Delivery Partner System” allows them to have more control over shipments than they did using the “big three” shippers.

Now, you’re likely not in the position to start your own delivery service. But you can take advantage of courier services that focus on final mile logistics.

Using a company that specializes in getting the final mile done right is a huge step in the right direction.

Find the Right Last Mile Logistics Company

There is no question that final mile logistics is one of the most important parts of the supply chain. The only answer you need is how to ensure you’re using the right service.

At Need It Now Delivers! we focus on making sure your products get to your most valuable assets – your customers.

From air freight to rush courier service, we provide every aspect you need to deliver not only your product but unparalleled customer service.

We’ve perfected last mile home delivery and would love to talk to you about how we can deliver results for you.


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On Demand Delivery

While just a few years ago, it was typical to have to wait four or five days for a package to arrive, that won’t cut it in today’s environment. Expectations have changed so much that if people wait more than two days, they start to panic and complain. With the help of on demand delivery, customers get what they want as soon as they want it.

Here are five ways that delivery has changed around us.

1. Sustainable Logistics in Cities

Since there’s no shortage of growth in cities around the world, there need to be better solutions for densely populated regions. When we rethink what deliver means in tight and congested cities, we can save money, space, and help lower our impact on the environment.

With the help of electric trucks used by some of the most established companies in delivery, the whole world of delivery changed. Within just a few years, the cost to produce electric trucks will rival the cost of creating a diesel one.

With UPS converting their trucks to electric in New York City, they’re prepared for the coming wave of electric vehicles. They can even cut their emissions down by nearly half in the next decade.

The west coast is also seeing a change as Chanje has put down half a million delivery trucks, with clamoring to make them all electric.

Electric vehicles are just one idea for getting rid of large trucks that are needed to move large objects. However, a Jakarta company, Go-Jek, is creating a fleet of motorcycle taxis to deliver objects all around the city.

2. Changing Expectations

While we don’t have full on-demand delivery, it’s right around the corner. While the restaurant and small grocery stores have had on-demand delivery for decades, large companies are moving faster than ever.

The speed of delivery changes expectations as it grows rapidly.

Costco and BestBuy are in a rush to be the best same-day deliverers while Amazon pushes to meet the needs of customers better than most any other company. In fact, Amazon has rolled out one-hour delivery services to push the envelope even further. These speeds that weren’t industry standards just a few years ago are spiraling out of control.

Target has been trying to keep up with next-day deliveries and has managed to pull their weight.

Even luxury and designer brands are starting to branch out into this concept. Gucci can now give you their luxury goods in just 90 minutes in a wide variety of markets.

While hot food and perishables make perfect sense, there are speed records being broken by companies that no one asked to speed up. It should prove to be great for business, however.

3. Ghost Restaurants

“Ghost restaurants” might be a little bit of a misnomer, however, there has been a huge rise in the number of restaurants that have no tables and chairs. They aren’t around to serve customers on a plate with the help fo servers, bussers, and hosts. These restraints are purely delivery only.

In big cities around the world, restaurants that top the charts on GrubHub and other services are found to be getting ratings and pleasing customers. However, if you show up to have a dining experience with them, you’ll be sorely disappointed. You won’t find a waiter, a tablecloth, or a sommelier anywhere to be seen.

While this might not seem like the most sustainable move in the world of delivery, it’s a smart move for popular restaurants whose kitchens are swamped. Having a second kitchen where you can serve just the special order could take some of the pressure off the kitchen. That will also allow restaurants to serve more people in a more efficient way.

4. Grocery Delivery

While it’s no breaking piece of news, grocery delivery has returned in a totally new way. Grocery delivery used to be in the real of small town living, where a local kid would swing by with an order you made over the phone in exchange for a nickel.

When it was reported that Amazon had purchased Whole Foods last year, a lot of people were left scratching their heads. Why would Jeff Bezos, the king of efficiency, buy a sustainable, compassionate, and fairly inefficient business?

In a market like Whole Foods, there’s an attention paid to food that you see nowhere else. The apples are always piled perfectly high and each one feels carefully selected. However, that timing might not work for everyone.

Some people don’t want to pick out the perfect apple and just want one now. If you’ve got a list of other things, you could potentially get your groceries delivered. With the success of Whole Foods and New York’s Fresh Direct, it wouldn’t be surprising to find the aisles of the grocery store quiet in coming years.

5. Keyless Entry

With the recent advent of keyless entry and proposals for in-home delivery, a company like Amazon can unlock your home and leave packages behind. Never worry about having a package stolen or getting it up the stairs. You’ll have it waiting right on your table when you get home.

While various companies are struggling to get the contracts with all of the major online retailers, users have raised privacy concerns. Even though it’s an interesting idea, not everyone wants strangers going into their home.

On-Demand Delivery Can Please Customers

While you might not want to ultimately handle on-demand delivery for your business, it might be an inevitability in coming years. If you’re not ready for the rising delivery tide or haven’t made the effort to learn about it, perhaps now is the time.

If you haven’t organized your warehouse yet, check out our guide for reasons why.