Frequent and Expensive Shipping Errors to Avoid –
Shipping entails more than just getting your goods to their destination. There are numerous factors that can influence how much it will cost you and what you will receive for your money.
Shipping represents the business to professionals. It demonstrates your dependability and dedication to providing customers with what they want. Saving time and money on shipments is a great way to improve your business and gain a competitive advantage. Avoiding the most common pitfalls will help you spend less money and reduce damage and delays.
The ability to ship items in an efficient, controlled, and cost-effective manner is a significant improvement for anyone who ships a large number of items. Continue reading to learn about six common and costly shipping blunders–and how to avoid them.
1. Failure to Pay Attention to Detail
When shipping items, it is critical to pay close attention to the details. Don’t assume you know the weight, size, type of packaging, and cost. You must be certain ahead of time. And you must ensure that each address is completely correct.
Getting these details wrong frequently results in you paying more than you should. It also reduces the efficiency of delivery. The best way to find shipping solutions for a business is to create a database. Use it to record all data for future reference, calculation, and comparison. This can help you save money on shipping.
Even if you have a last-minute shipment or a very rushed job, you must impress and satisfy. You’ll lose customers if you don’t. It’s critical to get the data right in these situations as well, no matter how much you think you don’t have time. The good news is that there are software solutions available that can perform the calculations for you and your customers.
Many shippers charge far more than you think. These fees may be hidden from you and appear to be unnecessary. If you do not pay close attention from the start, you must be prepared to pay more than you anticipated. Look for any additional fees that have been added to the bill. Fuel compensation and residential services are two examples. Include these costs in your shipment budget. Maintain vigilance. With many carriers, even minor address corrections can cost more than $10.
2. Using the Incorrect Packaging
The importance of getting the packaging details correct is so great that it warrants its own entry on this list. Keep an eye on the weight of the items you’re about to ship. It may have a greater impact on the price than you think.
You will be charged if the weight you told the carrier and the actual weight of the package differ. Certain carriers may charge penalty fees. Check that all of the packages you’re about to ship have the weight you budgeted for and specified. You must understand how to ship large items.
Inefficient packaging is a common issue that costs many businesses a lot of money. Check that you are not using packaging that is too large for your delivery. It may seem convenient at the time to grab a large box and stuff your belongings inside, but this is a waste of money. You have to pay for more space, so you’re paying for the box’s empty space.
You’ll also spend a lot more money on boxes, padding, and other packaging materials. In the long run, these minor expenses will add up to major expenses. Extra packaging also adds weight, which means you’ll pay more for it. This can result in a difference between the weight you planned for and the final weight. This will cause you to pay more than you planned. On the other hand, if you try to save money on packaging, you may end up with damaged goods. You’ll find it by paying attention to the details.
Last but not least, when shipping small items, don’t underestimate the holding capacity of envelopes.
3. Making Unreliable Promises
If you can’t tell the receiver when they can expect their package, they may be wary of the shipment. If you tell the recipient that they will receive the product at a specific time and it does not arrive on time, you have a major problem.
There is a simple solution to this problem. Instead of guaranteeing delivery in two days, promise delivery in three days or less. This gives you a safety margin. It allows you to be more flexible and can help you save money. Most importantly, it will decrease the number of dissatisfied recipients. Using next-day delivery is a good way to make things easier and more efficient.
4. Failing to Handle Unsatisfactory Returns
If you have a return policy, make it clear, concise, and easy to find. Make sure you have it all written down, with all of the details covered in concrete form. There will be no maybes and as few conditionals as possible. Make your return policy available on your website. Make it visible to customers before they complete their purchase, or you risk losing potential customers. This will build trust and hold both you and the customer accountable.
Return policies that are effective focus on the customer and make things easier and more efficient for them. Contact us now for more information. To avoid further shipping errors, discover the common shipping mistakes you could be making.