Four hidden ways you can save on shipping costs
When you’re growing a business, it’s important to understand how to manage your resources responsibly. No one wants to waste money on things that don’t offer a return – or overpay for things that do. If you’re looking to save a buck or two, hiring a courier service is a great way to go. Not only can you save money – but hiring a courier service comes with a lot of other perks as well like saving time, more control over your delivery and the like.
That being said, there’s ways to dig a little deeper and get even a little bit more bang for your buck. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the under-the-radar ways that you can save even more money the next time you hire a courier service like ours. Let’s jump right in!
Save those packing peanuts!
We’re always tossing packing materials these days and truth be told, if you do have a way to store them; you probably should. Especially if you’re in the business of transporting and delivering fragile items, there’s zero reason for you to have to go out to the store and purchase more packing items. Reduce, reuse and recycle those materials and stretch your money just a little bit more.
Go with pros
While there’s certainly some truth to ‘you get what you pay for’ – people would be surprised that going higher end can actually save them some money – particularly with courier services. Companies that have been around a long time have been around for a reason – and it’s not just that they are dependable. In many cases, it’s that they are flexible and are good at working with their customers and meeting them where they’re at. Maybe a few jobs will be at a premium price, but maybe some others won’t be.
Additionally, these sorts of companies have been around the block and know lots of tricks to saving money here and there and are only too willing to work with you to do that. Choose real pros, and go with experience. It almost always pays off.
Learn lots about backhauls
Backhauls are return trips that drivers have to take back from the initial load they were hired to transport. There are TONS of deals that can be had here. Backhaul trips usually cost companies more and if they can add in a run (your delivery) to make it more worth their time – they’re almost always willing to work with you to help you save some money and help them maximize a vehicle having to be off the grid for longer than desired. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Less is more
People frequently pack too many things in separate boxes. This leads to a massive overspend in some situations. Yes, some things DO need to be in their own packaging, but most things don’t. If you have an order for multiple items going to the same place – consolidate. Just by virtue of being one less package, you’re bound to save a pretty penny once these cost savings get added up over time. If you can pack it tight, do it.
Stop wasting money on unnecessary shipping costs! Hopefully these tips will help you do just that. If you’re in need of a courier service in the Tampa Bay area, give us a call today and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation. Good luck!