Parcel Delivery

[Dizzee Rascal]

So far, to date I have placed quite a few orders with Squadron Leader.

The service I've received from SL as always been nothing other than exceptional but there is just one more thing that I wish was available and that is track and trace with the actual parcels.

For me personally, it would make life so much easier if I knew for instance that it was at the depot or out for delivery. Some even offer to send SMS messages when the parcel is out on the delivery round.

I believe most couriers now offer these services, I wonder if it would make the cost of delivery go up for us customers or whether it would be something that SL could do??

What do you say SL?

[ralphp]

Dizzee,
I'm not sure about SL but the company that I work for....13 national outlets and at least 50 packages per day per branch have always had issues with curriers.

After trying most of the "tracking" services we found this didn't add value to our business or our customers.....
If a parcel is missing (even when tagged?) or driver is lost or in the wrong location, you still don't get your beloved items to get the bird back up!

[SquadronLeader]

It's a difficult one Dizzee.

We have been through a number of Courier providers and each offering differing levels of tracking. Those that offer the best tracking technology have certainly been the most expensive. Whilst we are keen to get the best tracking available, we too have to consider how much our customers are willing to pay. Currently we pay our couriers £4.99 - £7.95 per parcel depending on destination. Squadron Leader customers pay a maximum of £4.99 and therefore on some occasions we make a loss of £2.95, but never a profit!

Generally we have found that the cheaper the delivery costs, the happier the customer is and whilst our next day delivery is not 100% reliable, it's not that far off.

Another consideration SL must take is the volumetrics. By using a larger courier provider for the very large parcels we send out, it would cost far more than SL customers currently pay.

With regards to Royal Mail Recorded delivery for small components; there is no point in us providing you with the tracking no. as RM don't report on the location of the package until it's been delivered successfully. Also, if the package does go walkabout, RM only consider it lost after 14 days has passed!

The point I am trying to make is, whilst improved tracking would make our lives a little easier, the cost implications are currently not justified, particularly from the customers perspective.

With the growth of Squadron Leader comes greater influence over the courier providers and therefore the possibility for improved rates and the all important tracking facilities.

I hope this goes some way in explaining our position. However, if there is anyone our there that uses an ultra reliable, relatively cheap provider........please let us know.

All the best.

Squadron Leader.

[Anthony]

It's not so much parcels going missing at the depot I worry about... more like our dozey postman not being able to read and delivering my stuff to people who live not only at a different number, but on a different street too.