Shipping and receiving packages is a part of many people’s lives these days. However, while it’s a convenient service, shipping can be a real pain at times—especially when you’re a small business. There’s a process involved in sending products to your customers, from printing shipping labels to packing orders to dropping packages off at a delivery service, and there’s plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong along the way. Don’t let potential hiccups get you down. The good news is there is a solution for every shipping problem.
The main key to shipping success is knowledge. Below are a few common shipping problems and solutions in OH.
Shipping internationally
You may consider yourself a local business, but there’s a chance that people from all over the world will order your products. Be prepared! International shipping means the customer’s package will go through unfamiliar global carriers, and there are extra steps to take and taxes or fees to pay.
Do your homework to better understand international shipping. For starters, international shipping rates vary depending on several factors, including the size and weight of the package, the country it’s leaving, the destination country and insurance. Take advantage of major package couriers’ online shipping cost calculators so you know exactly how much it’s costing you.
High shipping costs
If you own a business, then you have a budget—including a shipping budget. Ultimately, you want to keep shipping costs down for your customers while avoiding taking a financial hit yourself.
There are ways to keep your costs low and your margins high, many of which are pretty easy to accomplish. Purchase your packing supplies in bulk from a local shipping materials supplier instead of buying boxes, bubble wrap and tape as needed. Another cost-savings step is to compare prices between shipping carriers. In other words, shop around—check out a few carriers’ services and prices and use carrier-provided packaging (it’s usually free). If your business frequently ships to certain locations, consider investing in flat rate shipping, as it can be a cost-effective move.
Replacing lost or damaged products
Once you hand your customer’s package over to a shipping carrier, what happens next is largely out of your control. In rare cases, the package never reaches its destination or it arrives to your customer horribly damaged. While this is frustrating for you and your customer, how you handle the situation says a lot.
Protect yourself by opting to purchase shipping insurance. This protects your business from losing money on lost and damaged products. Many major carriers offer affordable shipping insurance, while others automatically include it as a courtesy for packages valued at $100 or less. Shipping insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind and good customer service.
Now that you know more about the most common shipping problems and solutions in OH, don’t forget to reorder all the things you need to pack and ship your products.
For a wide selection of quality shipping materials and supplies, get in touch with Lamberson Packaging Solutions. We have everything you need to ensure your goods arrive save and sound and on time!