There are many ways to transport packages and materials from one place to another. Although the US Postal Service is tried and true, it can’t always deliver items as quickly as needed. Consumers who require fast delivery choose between parcel companies and courier services. A package carrier usually has a large network that can stretch across the country and a local courier service can transport a package or letter across town in a matter of minutes.
Functions and types of Courier services
The roles that couriers play vary according to their size and resources. A local courier transports letters and small packages within a city by bicycle or car. A larger courier service accepts larger packages and can deliver them to multiple states. Each service establishes different delivery times and provides different types of quality control during transport.
Messengers must be reliable, consistent and professional. The services they offer must be convenient and affordable. Modern technology allows couriers to stay in touch with their dispatchers and record delivery information so customers always know where their packages are. Delivery options include immediate point-to-point, within one to three hours, same business day, and scheduled deliveries on specialty routes.
Typical Courier Service Customers
We’ve all seen bikes and delivery trucks zipping around big cities. Business customers provide most of the packages that are delivered. Typical items include legal documents that need to go from a lawyer’s office to a courthouse, small packages from a parts supplier to a service shop, and lab test results on their way to a doctor. Couriers deliver whatever they can carry or load into their vehicles, transporting it quickly and safely to its destination.
Many small businesses use third-party couriers to avoid the expense of a fleet of vehicles and delivery staff. However, even a larger company with multiple divisions can find a reliable courier service to handle their deliveries. These vendors offer custom billing that subtotals orders by employee name, department, or cost center. A company can appropriately allocate costs without having to spend hours breaking down invoices by different units of profit.
Whether items need to cross town or region, couriers can help. Everything from immediate delivery to scheduled deliveries can be arranged at affordable prices. State-of-the-art software tracks packages from pickup to delivery, providing peace of mind for business customers. Whenever time is of the essence, businesses should call a reputable courier to transport their documents and packages.