Just like in any other industry, there are certain terminologies that are used exclusively in the courier industry. But courier services also use a lot of terms and lingo which are quite similar to our regular postal service. Having an understanding of these terminologies and phrases are important and make your job much easier especially while hunting for a good courier company. So here are some commonly used terms in the courier sector that can definitely prove to be a big help to you some time or the other.

One important term that you need to be aware of is ‘authorization;’ this refers to the permission that has to be granted by senior officials in the courier company to ship parcels which contain dangerous items or substances that have to be cleared by the customs like medicines. ‘Brokerage fee’ is another term which is used in connection with authorization; this fee is collected by a customs broker for the service that he offers for getting the goods cleared by the customs authority. Bulk shipment is another common lingo which is used to denote a cargo or shipment which is over 75 pounds.

Another common terminology used in most courier services is call center dispatch; this refers to the centralized telephone service where a prospective customer can call for pick-up and delivery orders. C.O.D is another common term especially used these days by online shopping sites; this stands for cash on delivery where the recipient has to pay for the parcel before it is handed over to him. Confirmation number is a unique ID that is given to every customer using which can be used to track the particular parcel and also as confirmation that the order has been processed in the right manner.

CSR is another term which denotes customer service representative; this is the person that you will talk to for clarifying any of your doubts and queries. Another common term used especially while transporting valuable items is DV or declared value; this is the value of the product as declared by the customer sending the item. You might have noticed the term SNR many times on the receipt; this stands for signature not required; in this case, the parcel may be handed over to anybody and not just to a particular person.

Being aware of these terminologies used in courier services makes it easy to use this service to its best.

Finding trustworthy courier services need not be a daunting task; all that you need to do to make the right selection is to be aware of the technicalities involved in this service. Since the market is flooded these days with courier firms, finding the right one may take longer than usual. Choosing a domestic courier company for a one time service is not too hard but finding a reliable company to work with to regularly send parcels or documents to international destinations may be difficult. So here is a checklist of things that you need to tick off to find out if the service is the perfect one for your needs.

Customer service is the key ingredient that separates a good courier service from an exceptional one. Make sure that you are choosing a firm which offers top notch and reliable customer support and also provides a twenty-four seven customer helpline to address any query or problem that may arise. This is especially necessary for international courier companies where time zones vary from country to country. It is also important to find out if the company has an online tracking system or software using which you can find out the status of your parcel.

A company’s reputation lies in the effectiveness with which it handles problems and complaints. Check the websites of the courier services where customer reviews and testimonials will give you an idea of what people think about the service. If you are choosing a domestic courier firm, then chances are that your neighbor or friend would have heard about it or used is any some point too. It is important that you pack your item or product in the right envelope to avoid rejection by the courier service and also to avoid damage. If you aren’t aware of this, then ask the customer support executive regarding the right procedure.

Make sure that you provide the right address with the pin code or area code while filling in the form. Most courier services also ask for both the sender’s as well as the recipient’s phone number to call in case of any problem. If the recipient is supposed to pay for the item, then clearly mention this to the courier company and also inform the recipient so that funds are kept ready at the time of delivery.

Following this checklist will ensure that your parcel or document is delivered safely by the best courier firm to the recipient.

Reputed and trustworthy courier services are hard to come by though the market is flooded with all types of courier companies. You might be looking for a courier service either for transporting your belongings or to transport merchandise if you run a business; whatever the case, it is in your best interests to select a firm which offers excellent customer service and believes in timely delivery. Here are a few tips that can be of help while looking for the right courier company.

One of the most important qualities a good courier service should possess is professionalism. The firm must have a stellar reputation when it comes to dealing with prospective clients and also believe in timeliness and punctuality. One good way of finding out how professional the staff can be is by talking to the customer service executive. An impolite, rude executive who seems to be in a hurry to end the call is a sign of poor service while an executive who is warm and friendly and patient to answer all your doubts indicates a company you can trust.

While choosing courier services, make sure that you discuss about the firm’s policies, rules and regulations and also rates before deciding to sign the contract. Some courier firms take all kinds of products for delivery while some specialize in certain areas like automobile couriers, food couriers etc. It is also important to find out how the cost is calculated; is it per kilogram or depending on the kind of item. Make sure that the firm you have chosen is licensed and also has an insurance policy in place especially if you are sending something valuable. Only companies which offer insurance will pay or reimburse you if your package or things get lost or damaged.

It is best to select a firm which has been in the business for a while. This helps you to have an idea of the kind of reputation the company has in the market. You can also look up on the websites of courier services where customer reviews and testimonials will give you an idea of the firm’s reputation and customer service. Always make sure that you have a written contract in hand with all the clauses included before sending your package.

A little research can save you a lot of headache in the end; so keep your eyes open and choose good courier services to deliver your package.