Courier service vs. Standard Mail: A comparison

As a business owner – you know that you’re faced with plenty of decisions each and every day. Some of those include everything from who’s working for you to choosing the right location for a new promotion. We’re also sure that at some point – shipping will become one of those decisions.

We live in a world where customers expect their deliveries quickly and efficiently. That forces you as a business owner to think about your shipping strategy and look for new, innovative ways to deliver your service.

So you’re presented with the question: should you choose standard mail or should you consider using a courier? In the past – using couriers was seen as a luxury that only companies with significant shipping budgets could afford. Reality is – courier services are more affordable today than they’ve ever been and can have a significant impact on your business.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using both and what you can expect from each. Let’s jump right in!

Delivery speed

 On average – it takes about 1 to 4 days for packages to arrive where they’re supposed to when you use standard mail. In some cases, they could arrive the next day – but that only happens if you’re sending your mail in the same city or town. If you’re looking for same-day delivery – courier services are better equipped to handle it – and can give you a significant competitive advantage.

Cost

If you own a business that doesn’t ship mail or an abundance of items – then standard mail will most certainly be the more cost-effective choice. For those that ship frequently – the costs can add up quickly. Since there’s no competition, standard mail rates are set in stone and are what they are. There are plenty of couriers who have to compete for customers and they do this by offering competitive pricing – which can save your business a lot of money.

Personalized service 

Having delivery options is valuable tool to have at a business owner’s disposal. If you mail frequently, you may get to know the post office person and form a friendly rapport with them, but their services are what they are and that goes for everyone who walks through the door. Working with a courier opens up a door to a more personalized experience – from when you need items picked up to choosing delivery windows that keep customers happy.

Flexibility

Being able to depend on things like last minute delivery, additional pickups and the like are options that are only available to you when you hire a courier. The post office may have extra delivery options, but the delivery wait times don’t get any faster.

Courier Services offer a whole swath of extra services that can make a significant impact on your business. If you are considering using a courier service, give our team a call today and we’ll be happy to offer you a free consultation. Good luck!