topic Advice about using a courier in Selling

Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 05:14:15 GMT

I am going to be switching from AusPost to using couriers soon. I would love some advice from anyone using a courier service.

What do yo add to your ads to make sure (as much as possible) buyer know you are using a courier service?

Do you offer ( at an extra cost) AusPost for those unable or unwilling to use a courier service or just stop selling to them? If so do you allow posting to PO Boxes or will ths just causse problems?

Any pitfalls/problems you encountered use a courier rather than AusPost?

Re: Advice about using a courier

6508.froggy — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 09:58:48 GMT

I have started using couriers for some items. I have been checking the cost of AP verse Courier. For items over 1kg courier services normally work out cheaper. I hasve noted on listings in this category that the item will be sent via courier so no PO Boxes. with a note if this is an issue contact me.

I have not explored the many service available, however have been happy with sendle. Easy to use as everything is handled online. Just have to be careful as they are expensive to remote areas so I then revert to Aust Post. Hope this helps.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:25:08 GMT

@6508.froggy wrote:
I have started using couriers for some items. I have been checking the cost of AP verse Courier. For items over 1kg courier services normally work out cheaper. I hasve noted on listings in this category that the item will be sent via courier so no PO Boxes. with a note if this is an issue contact me.

I have not explored the many service available, however have been happy with sendle. Easy to use as everything is handled online. Just have to be careful as they are expensive to remote areas so I then revert to Aust Post. Hope this helps.

Yes sendle is who I will start with just working out the best packaging to use, with them, I do plan to check out using a specific courier service but then I have been planning to look since February.

My main concern is trying to make sure it is clear I am using a courier without printing it in large letters on the top of each posting.The other thing I am considering is to offer courier free post and Auspost for $7-10 (mainly so people can get deliveries to PO boxes if needed) just not sure if that will cause me a headache. I did notice the cost of rural areas was more so Auspost would still be the way for them

Thank you for the feedback

Re: Advice about using a courier

jensmanchester-australia — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:16:19 GMT

We use a combination of couriers and AP. Couriers don't deliver to all areas whereas AP do.

With the items we send using a courier we use the Authority to Leave so as to not inconvenience the buyer if they are not home at the time of delivery as buyers can get very upset if they are to travel a long way to collect their parcel from a depot.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:25:18 GMT

@jensmanchester-australia wrote:
We use a combination of couriers and AP. Couriers don't deliver to all areas whereas AP do.

With the items we send using a courier we use the Authority to Leave so as to not inconvenience the buyer if they are not home at the time of delivery as buyers can get very upset if they are to travel a long way to collect their parcel from a depot.

The main reason I want to start using a courier is to avoid Authority to leave (unless the buyer requests it) AusPost just leave a parcel now unless you pay for SoD which of course increases the price by $2:95. It is to risky having an item just left outside someone door IMHO. Most people in a fairly built up area should be relatively close to a depo (at least I hope) The items I sell are unlikely to be purchased by people living rurally so hopefully want be a big problem but thank you I will definitely consider that

Re: Advice about using a courier

jensmanchester-australia — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:37:23 GMT

@247newdeals wrote:
@jensmanchester-australia wrote:
We use a combination of couriers and AP. Couriers don't deliver to all areas whereas AP do.

With the items we send using a courier we use the Authority to Leave so as to not inconvenience the buyer if they are not home at the time of delivery as buyers can get very upset if they are to travel a long way to collect their parcel from a depot.
The main reason I want to start using a courier is to avoid Authority to leave (unless the buyer requests it) AusPost just leave a parcel now unless you pay for SoD which of course increases the price by $2:95. It is to risky having an item just left outside someone door IMHO. Most people in a fairly built up area should be relatively close to a depo (at least I hope) The items I sell are unlikely to be purchased by people living rurally so hopefully want be a big problem but thank you I will definitely consider that

At least 70% of our parcels have authority to leave on them and in the last 12 months I have only had one go walkabout after it was delivered. Yes it is a risk but the risk is miminal. I have had more parcels either lost within the system or misdelivered than have been stolen after delivery.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:05:19 GMT

@jensmanchester-australia wrote:
@247newdeals wrote:
@jensmanchester-australia wrote:
We use a combination of couriers and AP. Couriers don't deliver to all areas whereas AP do.

With the items we send using a courier we use the Authority to Leave so as to not inconvenience the buyer if they are not home at the time of delivery as buyers can get very upset if they are to travel a long way to collect their parcel from a depot.
The main reason I want to start using a courier is to avoid Authority to leave (unless the buyer requests it) AusPost just leave a parcel now unless you pay for SoD which of course increases the price by $2:95. It is to risky having an item just left outside someone door IMHO. Most people in a fairly built up area should be relatively close to a depo (at least I hope) The items I sell are unlikely to be purchased by people living rurally so hopefully want be a big problem but thank you I will definitely consider that
At least 70% of our parcels have authority to leave on them and in the last 12 months I have only had one go walkabout after it was delivered. Yes it is a risk but the risk is miminal. I have had more parcels either lost within the system or misdelivered than have been stolen after delivery.

I have not been as lucky I am pretty sure you are posting a lot more than me (currently only about 5 parcel a day) and I had one go missing. That is the main reason for me to get on to using a courier. If a customer wants it safe dropped they can request it but I want to make sure the parcel is delivered, that is what I pay for with AusPsot I would have to pay an extra $3, on top of an more expensive service, to make sure it is delivered but with couriers SoD is included in a cheaper price.

For me I would rather they are sent to a pick up point a customer has the option to get a parcel safe dropped if they want they then, rightly, take on the responsibilty

Re: Advice about using a courier

lyndal1838 — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:25:30 GMT

It does not always matter what a seller wants.....most parcel delivery companies (couriers and AP) have an option for parcels to be safe dropped if the parcel cannot be delivered on the first try.

When the addressee goes on line to arrange a redelivery there is usually the option of pick up at the depot, redeliver at another address or safe drop at the original address.

Picking up from a courier depot is not really an option for most people.....they open early, close early and are not open on weekends. They are harder to pick up from than your local post office.....and they are usually a long way away, even for us city dwellers.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:51:48 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
It does not always matter what a seller wants.....most parcel delivery companies (couriers and AP) have an option for parcels to be safe dropped if the parcel cannot be delivered on the first try.
When the addressee goes on line to arrange a redelivery there is usually the option of pick up at the depot, redeliver at another address or safe drop at the original address.

Picking up from a courier depot is not really an option for most people.....they open early, close early and are not open on weekends. They are harder to pick up from than your local post office.....and they are usually a long way away, even for us city dwellers.

A buyer will have the option to request a safe drop it will take them 1 minute of time and they then take on the responsibility rather than it being with the seller who has no control over the situation.

Re: Advice about using a courier

digital*ghost — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:11:53 GMT

I've missed a few courier deliveries, but my orders are too high value (and I pay extra for insurance) to ever allow safe drop, despite there being almost no chance one of the packages will be stolen after delivery. All the couriers I've ever dealt with basically use ATL as acceptance of the package as is before receipt, thus negating the insurance (for damage, in particular). There's no way I'd absolve a courier (no matter how reliable) of liability for loss / damage before I've even set eyes on the package(s).

(Not replying to anyone in particular, just putting a random 3c into the conversation :D).

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:29:27 GMT

@digital*ghost wrote:
I've missed a few courier deliveries, but my orders are too high value (and I pay extra for insurance) to ever allow safe drop, despite there being almost no chance one of the packages will be stolen after delivery. All the couriers I've ever dealt with basically use ATL as acceptance of the package as is before receipt, thus negating the insurance (for damage, in particular). There's no way I'd absolve a courier (no matter how reliable) of liability for loss / damage before I've even set eyes on the package(s).

(Not replying to anyone in particular, just putting a random 3c into the conversation :D).

Sorry what is ATL?

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:33:01 GMT

@digital*ghost wrote:
I've missed a few courier deliveries, but my orders are too high value (and I pay extra for insurance) to ever allow safe drop, despite there being almost no chance one of the packages will be stolen after delivery. All the couriers I've ever dealt with basically use ATL as acceptance of the package as is before receipt, thus negating the insurance (for damage, in particular). There's no way I'd absolve a courier (no matter how reliable) of liability for loss / damage before I've even set eyes on the package(s).

(Not replying to anyone in particular, just putting a random 3c into the conversation :D).

got it Authorize to leave

I agree and to me the only person who should be able to decide if they want to ATL is the buyer and if they do they accept responsibility for the risk, how ever small, involved

Re: Advice about using a courier

thesoulyearns — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 22:36:42 GMT

Regarding the buyer knowing it's a courier and not AP, I'm not sure that would be a big deal. Just print it normally, fairly high up in the listing. Aslong as the item arrives, that's the main thing, as a buyer.

I've only recently used a courier (two, Fastway and Couriers Please), both with Sendle. The overall service from all three companies was fantastic. I just ordered the boxes from eBay and put the labels on the top of each box.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:50:48 GMT

@thesoulyearns wrote:
Regarding the buyer knowing it's a courier and not AP, I'm not sure that would be a big deal. Just print it normally, fairly high up in the listing. Aslong as the item arrives, that's the main thing, as a buyer.

I've only recently used a courier (two, Fastway and Couriers Please), both with Sendle. The overall service from all three companies was fantastic. I just ordered the boxes from eBay and put the labels on the top of each box.

I must admit I do not see why it should be a problem, but there is even a small group, who are very verbal on this forum , about how couriers are inconvenient for them even though it would only take 1 minute to allow a safe drop for a city dweller and rural (which is unlikely I will sell there) would still go by AusPost as they are cheaper for them. I did actaully look at the sellers I but office supplies from and they do not say they use couriers but they all do and they are selling a lot of items so you may be right it may not be a big problem so I may just add a note about using a courier and stop posting to PO boxes

One other thing how was tracking in regards for the buyer being able to track the parcel?

Packaging I currently use mainly 3kg satchels and bubbe wrap going to look today for plain ones hopefully with the window to put the label or may just buy a thermal printer. That keeps my postage cost down a lot

Re: Advice about using a courier

lyndal1838 — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 01:41:08 GMT

@thesoulyearns wrote:
Regarding the buyer knowing it's a courier and not AP, I'm not sure that would be a big deal. Just print it normally, fairly high up in the listing. Aslong as the item arrives, that's the main thing, as a buyer.

Actually, sending by courier can be a very major problem for some buyers.

I always avoid sellers who use a courier service unless it is completely unavoidable.

I have mobility problems and often cannot get to the door before a courier leaves. It can be a problem to pick up from the courier depot as they are not open weekends and are a lot further away than my local PO.

A few months ago I missed a courier and was advised that they would leave my parcel at a newsagent FIVE suburbs away. After much arguing I was able to get them to safe drop at my home the next day.

I regularly get medications sent from Queensland via courier but the sender has the option for me to give them an Authority to Leave which is fine by me, but I have never had an ebay seller who was prepared to do that.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 02:01:53 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
@thesoulyearns wrote:
Regarding the buyer knowing it's a courier and not AP, I'm not sure that would be a big deal. Just print it normally, fairly high up in the listing. Aslong as the item arrives, that's the main thing, as a buyer.

Actually, sending by courier can be a very major problem for some buyers.
I always avoid sellers who use a courier service unless it is completely unavoidable.
I have mobility problems and often cannot get to the door before a courier leaves. It can be a problem to pick up from the courier depot as they are not open weekends and are a lot further away than my local PO.

A few months ago I missed a courier and was advised that they would leave my parcel at a newsagent FIVE suburbs away. After much arguing I was able to get them to safe drop at my home the next day.

I regularly get medications sent from Queensland via courier but the sender has the option for me to give them an Authority to Leave which is fine by me, but I have never had an ebay seller who was prepared to do that.

Well, with sendle, it is pretty easy to Authorise to leave, and I am sure most couriers have similar, not sure why the sellers you contacted would not. To be honest I would much rather lose a few buyers than be in the situation I am currently in where a buyer had no item, AusPost take no responsibly and I have no obligation to do anything, even though I will refund or replace it for them.

My local post office is only open office hours and does not open weekend absolutely no difference than a courier and a s far as you having to argue to get the parcel delivered the next day well AusPost want do that you would have to pick it up. Sorry but losing you as a potential customer would be worth it to offer a much better service to the majority of my customers

Re: Advice about using a courier

englishrosegardens — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 04:23:41 GMT

It takes more than a minute to go online and organise an authority to leave! I had a parcel come by courier a few months ago and I found the courier's website extremely hard to navigate.

An ATL might absolve the courier company of any responsibility but does it absolve you of all responsibility in ebay's eyes if the buyer chooses it? Is an ATL proof of delivery in ebay's eyes, or paypal's? That's the question I'd be asking.

Re: Advice about using a courier

lyndal1838 — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 05:23:48 GMT

@247newdeals wrote:
@lyndal1838 wrote:
@thesoulyearns wrote:
Regarding the buyer knowing it's a courier and not AP, I'm not sure that would be a big deal. Just print it normally, fairly high up in the listing. Aslong as the item arrives, that's the main thing, as a buyer.

Actually, sending by courier can be a very major problem for some buyers.
I always avoid sellers who use a courier service unless it is completely unavoidable.
I have mobility problems and often cannot get to the door before a courier leaves. It can be a problem to pick up from the courier depot as they are not open weekends and are a lot further away than my local PO.

A few months ago I missed a courier and was advised that they would leave my parcel at a newsagent FIVE suburbs away. After much arguing I was able to get them to safe drop at my home the next day.

I regularly get medications sent from Queensland via courier but the sender has the option for me to give them an Authority to Leave which is fine by me, but I have never had an ebay seller who was prepared to do that.

Well, with sendle, it is pretty easy to Authorise to leave, and I am sure most couriers have similar, not sure why the sellers you contacted would not. To be honest I would much rather lose a few buyers than be in the situation I am currently in where a buyer had no item, AusPost take no responsibly and I have no obligation to do anything, even though I will refund or replace it for them.

My local post office is only open office hours and does not open weekend absolutely no difference than a courier and a s far as you having to argue to get the parcel delivered the next day well AusPost want do that you would have to pick it up. Sorry but losing you as a potential customer would be worth it to offer a much better service to the majority of my customers

Maybe with Sendle it is easy to arrange an ATL but it is a new company and I avoid sellers who use couriers so have not had any experience with them. And believe me, ATLs are fairly new in the courier industry. They are gaining popularity now but even 2 years ago they were not widespread. The way it is going now it will not be long before couriers offer no more security of delivery than AP does.

My local PO is open office hours Monday to Friday but it is also open Saturday morning....much easier to get to than a newsagent 5 suburbs away. As I have a safe drop agreement with AP I rarely have to go to the PO but there is no way on earth that I could travel 5 suburbs because a courier company thinks it is a good idea to use a newsagent as a depot.

Re: Advice about using a courier

247newdeals — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 05:56:10 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
Maybe with Sendle it is easy to arrange an ATL but it is a new company and I avoid sellers who use couriers so have not had any experience with them. And believe me, ATLs are fairly new in the courier industry. They are gaining popularity now but even 2 years ago they were not widespread. The way it is going now it will not be long before couriers offer no more security of delivery than AP does.

My local PO is open office hours Monday to Friday but it is also open Saturday morning....much easier to get to than a newsagent 5 suburbs away. As I have a safe drop agreement with AP I rarely have to go to the PO but there is no way on earth that I could travel 5 suburbs because a courier company thinks it is a good idea to use a newsagent as a depot.

Silly me I should be asking for your advice, as your exactly the type of buyer I am trying to avoid, so what exactly would I need to put on my listing to get you to move on to another seller?

I suppose that is another bonus of using a courier for me

Re: Advice about using a courier

lyndal1838 — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 06:33:40 GMT

I am not arguing with you so there is no need to get nasty.

My post was a reply to thesoulyearns who thinks that using a courier should not be a problem for buyers.

I was just trying to point out that it can be a great problem for some buyers and giving the reasons why.

I buy on line because I cannot get out to the shops....I need things delivered to my door with the least possible problems and that means avoiding sellers who use couriers.

As long as a seller states that they use a courier service then I don't have a problem with that....and the seller will not have a problem with me. I don't ask or expect them to change anything for my benefit.

What does annoy me is sellers who state that they use AP and then end up using a courier without saying a word.

And don't worry....you are not selling anything that I would buy online so you will never have me as a customer whether you use AP or a courier.