Is Your Logistics Provider Up to the Task this Holiday Season?
More people are having big and bulky items delivered directly to their home, which is testing many logistics providers' capabilities. Here's how to see if your provider is up to to the job.
The holiday shopping trend is shifting, with consumers increasingly opting for larger items that won’t fit in a traditional stocking. Industry experts anticipate a 35% surge in appliance sales this festive season.
These big purchases carry substantial consumer expectations, not only regarding the product’s functionality but also its timely and safe delivery. Given that many of these items are intended as holiday gifts, it’s crucial for vendors to guarantee that their logistics service provider can adeptly manage “big and bulky” deliveries. Precision and punctuality are paramount
How to Evaluate Your Logistics Provider
The festive season is a golden period for retailers. If you’re questioning your logistics service provider’s capacity to efficiently handle substantial items such as furniture and appliances, consider the following inquiries:
1. Does Your Logistics Service Provider Offer Diverse Delivery Solutions?
When a customer places an order for a premium, sizable product, what delivery alternatives are available? This ultimately comes down to what your logistics partner can provide. The simplest option is to leave the item on the front steps, but this presents a number of concerns for the customer. The weather could be bad; someone could steal it if the customer isn’t home; is the customer physically capable of moving it into the home and to its intended room?
Top-tier delivery services are in-home delivery and white glove delivery, which ensures a comprehensive service experience. In-home delivery ensures that delivery professionals get the item into a home and out of the elements, but it doesn’t necessarily include transport to a specific room, nor does it include unpacking or setup. White glove delivery is a full-service option that takes care of unpacking, assembly, installation, and cleanup so your customers don’t have to.
2. Are Your Logistics Partner’s Employees Trained to Handle Big and Bulky Items for Residential Delivery?
Having the right assets is fundamental to any logistics service provider, especially for residential deliveries. Surges in orders and deliveries – like during the holiday season – often can overwhelm businesses or logistics providers that don’t have enough trucks or people to accommodate a spike in demand.
Big and bulky items also need specialized equipment to be moved and delivered without issue. Even with the necessary tools, it’s also important to ensure your logistics provider’s team has the proper training for handling large and delicate items, especially those that need to be delivered beyond the doorstep and into a home, often moving around doorframes and other furniture.
3. Do They Have the Soft Skills for Excellent Customer Service?
Big purchases often are points of excitement and joy, especially during the holiday season. While a delivery crew doesn’t need to be as merry as Old Saint Nick, they should be capable of engaging with customers in a positive, helpful manner – even when the pressures of the holiday season are high. Dealing with a short, gruff delivery team can easily sour their experience and have them looking to another brand next time they need to make a big purchase.
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The holiday season offers a chance to forge new customer relationships, particularly with those investing in high-value, large items. Ensure that subpar delivery services don’t jeopardize potential long-term customer relationships. Partnering with the right logistics service provider, adept at managing big and bulky products, guarantees a joyful and successful holiday season for both businesses and consumers.
Let Hilldrup do the heavy lifting for your big and bulky deliveries. Learn more about our logistics services and contact our team to schedule a quote!
