Delivery Times From Web Stores

**jamcamuk** · 13-09-04

Hi All

I am looking in to Delivery Times and prices for our new Broadband shop.

Iam looking at a numbe rof services thats on offer. one from Business post is:

Six delivery choices

By 10.30am
Morning - 8.00am to 12 noon
Afternoon - 12.00 noon to 5.00pm
Evening - 5.00pm to 8.00pm
Next day
Saturday AM

If customer had to pay a few more ££ say for the Evening - 5.00pm to 8.00pm do you think they would? Or as above you can see you will be able to pick your Delivery Time.

Any feed back would be good as will any ideas on any other delivery companies will help!!

Thanks

James

**D-Mac** · 13-09-04

Being able to offer fairly precise delivery slots is nice.

Whether people will pay extra for the privilege depends largely on what are you delivering..

We use Royal Mail, they're cheap, punctual with their collection, reasonable in terms of credit, and sometimes lose stuff.

One difficulty with offering guaranteed delivery slots is that you gotta make sure you don't mess up. Big Xmas rush, sales through the roof (partly due to the lovely guaranteed delivery slots), then the system falls to bits due to being untested on 5 times normal volume. People who paid extra for next evening delivery end up getting it on Friday. The guy who takes the morning off work gets mighty cross when it doesn't turn up until 2pm.

If you can pull it off it will be great. But don't do this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3640118.stm

**Ryanf** · 13-09-04

Thanks for you feed back D-Mac have you only used Royal mail or anyone else?

Ryan
PP James

**D-Mac** · 13-09-04

Only RM. We don't currently use it, but their Special Delivery service used to be very reliable, and is good value.

**jamcamuk** · 13-09-04

D-Mac

Take a look at:
http://www.business-post.com/index.a...-delivery.html

This is what we are looking at!

James

**SillyJokes** · 14-09-04

The Business Post model works for higher than average value orders where some of the cost presumably can be aborbed into the price.

For low cost goods you can't beat Royal Mail and if required their Special Delivery is before 12 noon which is pretty good. They also do a before 9am service but this is more money.

You need to manage customer expectations. My heart sinks when they ask if I can absolutely guarantee that goods will be with them tomorrow because even couriers make mistakes and Royal Mail Special Delivery has become less and less reliable. It's the ones I promise that always seem to get lost.

As mentioned above at peak times things can slip and then, not only are you rushed off your feet getting orders out, you could potentially be snowed under with customer service queries.

PS I liked one website which offered Express Delivery within one to two days, but only one to two days after dispatch which could be any time after the order had been placed. As much use as a chocolate fireguard.

**matbennett** · 14-09-04

We use Special Delivery for almost everything, but have to agree that it has been less reliable of late. Seems to effect certain areas more than others.

Of course, it also seems to mostly effect orders that have been specially adjusted for the customer in some way, or are required for a birthday. Sods law.

Looks like there are going to be some changes to special delivery, with the promised times varying for certain areas. We were accidentally sent labels with the guaranteed time printed on them as 3pm recently.

**jamcamuk** · 14-09-04

Thanks for your feed back so far guys.

I think may be ill look at using both royal mail and Business post. Use Royal mail for low end and Business post for high end. But also may be i should offer the business post service so the customer can pick.

James

**matbennett** · 14-09-04

Interested to know how you get on with Business post. Couldn't post back here some time in the future could you?

Used them on another site that I was involved in a few years ago & was distinctly unimpressed. Heard from a couple of people that they are much improved now though.

**jamcamuk** · 14-09-04

Hi

Yes one of the guys that works her enow worked for DSG who now use business post for the high end stock.

they were with royal mail for this but to many items were going missing.

Please feel free to ask what you like iam sure he will be happy to let you know. i will also feed back info and ill also let you know what deal we get.

James

**jamcamuk** · 21-09-04

Hi

heres a small update we are not going with Business post now. We have picked City Link for next day at a cost of £6.00 and royal mail £6.50 for drop b4 12 next day orders must be inb4 3PM (Notweekends)

that any good??

James

**rlonghurst** · 22-09-04

Another thing worth asking is whether they have a redelivery charge if the customer is out and they have to attempt delivery a second time.

Parcel Force doesn't have one, AFAIK Securicor / DHL does.

Cheers,
Richard